The liver processes all medications that you take. Your health care provider can answer specific questions and review the risk/benefit of a medication before you start taking it.
Some common medications linked to liver injury or complications include long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs11 (NSAIDs), antibiotics, and birth control pills12.
“Overdoing certain supplements can also harm the liver,” warns Cording. Just because supplement ingredients are seen as natural in comparison to medications, they still have strong physiological effects on the body.
Whereas some supplements (especially in high doses for extended periods) can put a strain on the liver13, some supplements—like milk thistle, glutathione, vitamin C, and selenium (here are our favorites)—support liver health and natural detoxification processes.
