Liver Failure from Supplements and Arsenic in Infant Foods

Supplements, Liver Failure and Arsenic

In our environment there are many substances that can damage or even result in liver failure. These include Carbon Tetra-chloride (formerly used in dry cleaning) and Acetaminophen (Tylenol) which in overdose results in total liver failure.

Complementary and alternative medications are established as a common cause of drug-induced liver injury; second only to prescription medications. However, in a recent review, researchers found that these "natural" medications are an increasing cause of liver damage (from 12% in 1998 to 21% in 2015). And they appear relatively more toxic; 56% of those required liver transplants versus 32% in drug injury; and they had a lower success rate after transplant. The limited oversight of these products may be one of the reasons. Being "natural" does not always correlate with safety!

Hillman L et al., Am J Gastroenterol 2016 Apr 5

In a welcome move, the FDA has decided to limit arsenic in infant rice foods. Arsenic levels are higher in rice than in other foods partly because rice plants, as they grow, absorb the element from the environment more than other crops do.

Rice consumption among infants is three times higher than that among adults (relative to body weight), according to the FDA. What's more, rice intake (again, relative to body weight) peaks at roughly 8 months of age.

The proposed arsenic limit — 100 parts per billion (ppb) — was only being met by about 50% of infant rice cereals tested in 2014. Roughly 75% were at or below 110 ppb.

The FDA is accepting public comments on the proposed measure for 90 days.