According to Gram Research analysis, about 34% of people with chronic liver disease use herbal supplements or vitamins, often without telling their doctors. A cross-sectional study of 323 people found that herbal products were the most popular choice, used by 79% of supplement users, primarily for anxiety, sleep problems, and bone health. While 71% of users reported feeling benefits, researchers warn that supplements can cause problems in people with liver disease and may interact with medications, making it essential to discuss all supplement use with healthcare providers.
A new study of 323 people found that about one-third of patients with chronic liver disease and their caregivers use herbal supplements or vitamins without always telling their doctors. While most people felt these supplements helped them, researchers worry because supplements can sometimes cause problems or interact with medications. The study shows that people often take these products for anxiety, sleep problems, and bone health, but many don’t realize that “natural” doesn’t always mean safe. Doctors say it’s important to talk about supplement use, especially when you have liver disease.
Key Statistics
A 2026 cross-sectional study of 323 people found that 34% of chronic liver disease patients and caregivers used at least one herbal supplement or vitamin, with herbal products accounting for 79% of all supplement use.
Among supplement users in the study, 71% reported perceived benefits, but only 3.6% reported side effects or drug interactions, suggesting many people may not recognize problems caused by supplements.
In the 2026 study of 323 participants, men were significantly more likely than women to take supplements for fatty liver disease (14.3% versus 2.9%), and supplement use increased with age, particularly for bone health concerns.
The research found that 19% of supplement users combined herbal products with vitamins and minerals, and anxiety and sleep disorders were the most common reasons for supplement use, each cited by 13.6% of users.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: How many people with chronic liver disease use herbal supplements or vitamins, why they use them, and whether their doctors know about it
- Who participated: 323 people total: 220 patients with chronic liver disease and 103 family members or caregivers who help care for them, surveyed at a hospital clinic over 6 months
- Key finding: About 34% of the group (110 people) used at least one supplement, with herbal products being the most popular choice. Most people felt the supplements helped them, but very few reported side effects.
- What it means for you: If you have liver disease or care for someone who does, tell your doctor about any supplements you’re taking. Even though supplements seem natural and safe, they can sometimes cause problems with your liver or interact with your medications.
The Research Details
Researchers at a hospital in Italy asked 323 people—both patients with chronic liver disease and their caregivers—to fill out a questionnaire about their supplement use. The survey asked about what supplements they took, why they took them, whether a doctor recommended them, and if they noticed any benefits or side effects. This type of study, called a cross-sectional study, takes a snapshot of what’s happening at one point in time rather than following people over months or years.
The questionnaire covered many topics: basic information like age and gender, lifestyle habits, which supplements people used, their reasons for using them, what benefits they thought they got, and whether a doctor or pharmacist knew about their supplement use. Researchers looked at patterns to see if certain groups of people were more likely to use supplements than others.
This research matters because people often assume that supplements are completely safe just because they’re “natural.” But supplements can cause real problems, especially for people whose livers aren’t working properly. By understanding how many people use supplements and why, doctors can have better conversations with their patients about these products and help prevent dangerous interactions with medications.
This study has some strengths: it included a decent number of people (323), it asked detailed questions about supplement use, and it looked at both patients and caregivers. However, it’s a snapshot study rather than following people over time, so we can’t prove that supplements caused any specific outcomes. Also, people answered questions about themselves, which means some might have forgotten what they took or not been completely honest. The study was done at one hospital in Italy, so results might be different in other countries or populations.
What the Results Show
Out of 323 people surveyed, 110 people (34%) reported using at least one supplement. Interestingly, caregivers used supplements slightly more often than patients (37.9% of caregivers vs. 32.3% of patients), though this difference wasn’t statistically significant. Among the 110 people who used supplements, herbal products were by far the most popular, used by 79.1% of supplement users. Vitamins and minerals (oligo and trace elements) were the second most common choice, used by 33% of supplement users. About 19% of people used a combination of both herbal products and vitamins.
The most common reasons people gave for taking supplements were anxiety and sleep problems (each mentioned by 13.6% of users), followed by bone health concerns like osteoporosis (13.6%), high cholesterol (10.9%), and digestive problems (10%). Patients with liver disease were more likely than caregivers to use supplements specifically for anemia, anxiety, and fatty liver disease. Notably, men were more likely than women to take supplements for fatty liver disease (14.3% vs. 2.9%).
When asked about benefits, 70.9% of supplement users said they felt the products helped them. Side effects or problems with drug interactions were reported by only 3.6% of users, though researchers note this might be lower than the actual number because people might not recognize or report problems.
The study found that supplement use increased with age—older people were more likely to take supplements for bone health problems. There were no major differences between men and women in overall supplement use, except for the fatty liver disease finding mentioned above. The research also showed that many people were taking supplements without their doctor’s knowledge or approval, suggesting that self-medication is common in this population.
This study adds to existing research showing that supplement use is very common among people with chronic diseases. Previous studies have raised concerns about supplements in liver disease patients because the liver processes these products, and damaged livers might not handle them well. This research confirms that the problem is widespread and shows that many people don’t discuss supplements with their healthcare providers, which is concerning because doctors need to know about all products their patients are taking.
This study has several important limitations. First, it only included people at one hospital in Italy, so the results might not apply to other countries or populations. Second, people answered questions about themselves from memory, which means some might have forgotten supplements they took or not been completely honest. Third, the study only looked at one point in time rather than following people over months or years, so we can’t tell if supplements actually caused any health problems. Fourth, the study relied on people’s own reports of side effects, which might be incomplete because people might not recognize or remember problems. Finally, the study didn’t investigate whether the supplements people were taking were actually safe for people with liver disease or whether they interacted with medications.
The Bottom Line
If you have chronic liver disease, tell your doctor or pharmacist about every supplement you take, including herbal products, vitamins, and minerals. Don’t assume that supplements are safe just because they’re natural—they can cause problems, especially for people with liver disease. Work with your healthcare team to decide which supplements, if any, are safe for you. If you’re considering a new supplement, ask your doctor first rather than starting it on your own. (Confidence level: Strong—this is basic medical safety practice.)
This research is most important for people with chronic liver disease and their caregivers. It’s also relevant for doctors, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers who care for liver disease patients. Anyone taking supplements while managing a chronic disease should pay attention to these findings.
You should have a conversation with your doctor about supplements right away, not wait for future benefits. If you’re already taking supplements, discuss them at your next appointment. If you’re considering starting a new supplement, ask your doctor before you begin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to take herbal supplements if I have liver disease?
Not necessarily. A 2026 study of 323 people with liver disease found that while many use supplements, they can cause problems or interact with medications. Always discuss any supplements with your doctor first, especially with liver disease, since your liver processes these products.
Do most people tell their doctors about the supplements they take?
The research suggests many don’t. The study found that 34% of liver disease patients used supplements, but many appeared to be self-medicating without medical oversight. Healthcare providers need to know about all supplements you take to prevent dangerous interactions.
What supplements do people with liver disease most commonly use?
According to the 2026 study, herbal products were most popular (79% of users), followed by vitamins and minerals. People primarily took them for anxiety, sleep problems, bone health, high cholesterol, and digestive issues.
Can supplements really help with anxiety and sleep if I have liver disease?
In the study, 71% of supplement users reported feeling benefits. However, just because people feel better doesn’t mean supplements are safe for your liver. Discuss specific supplements with your doctor to find options that won’t harm your liver function.
How often do supplements cause side effects in people with liver disease?
The study reported only 3.6% of users experienced side effects or drug interactions. However, researchers note this may be underreported because people might not recognize problems. Your doctor can help identify real risks specific to your situation.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Create a complete list of all supplements you take, including the name, dose, and how often you take it. Update this list whenever you start or stop a supplement. Share this list with your doctor at every visit.
- Before taking any new supplement, use the app to log it and set a reminder to discuss it with your doctor before starting. This creates a checkpoint to prevent self-medication without medical guidance.
- Keep an ongoing record of all supplements in your app with dates started and stopped. Note any side effects or changes in how you feel. Review this list with your healthcare provider every 3-6 months to make sure all supplements are still appropriate for your health situation.
This article summarizes research findings and is not medical advice. Supplements can cause serious problems, especially for people with liver disease, and may interact with medications. Never start, stop, or change any supplement without discussing it with your doctor or hepatologist first. If you have chronic liver disease, inform all your healthcare providers about every supplement you take, including herbal products, vitamins, minerals, and over-the-counter products. This research does not replace professional medical evaluation or treatment recommendations from your healthcare team.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.