Mixed
Supplements containing concentrated Chinese green tea extract (Camellia sinensis) can cause severe, symptomatic hepatotoxicity, including acute liver injury with jaundice and markedly elevated transaminases, which resolves upon discontinuation.
If you are taking a weight-loss supplement containing concentrated green tea extract (Camellia sinensis), be aware of the risk of liver injury. Symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes), and dark urine. Stop taking the supplement immediately if these symptoms occur and seek medical attention. Do not assume 'natural' means safe, especially with concentrated extracts.
Extract of C. sinensis is the most probable cause of hepatotoxicity in this patient because 1) this extract is the major ingredient of the supplement by weight... 2) there are now several recent reports of similar symptomatic hepatotoxicity in patients using C. sinensis extracts; and 3) other ingredients of the supplement have not been reported to be hepatotoxic... Although Chinese green tea is widely touted as a cytoprotective antioxidant and panacea, we believe that large amounts or concentrated preparations of C. sinensis are dangerous and should be avoided.
Why this rating
Based on a single case report with a positive rechallenge and a summary table of other case reports; lacks large-scale randomized controlled trials.
Source
Hepatotoxicity Associated with Supplements Containing Chinese Green Tea (<i>Camellia sinensis</i>)
Herbert L. Bonkovsky · Annals of Internal Medicine · 2006
DOI 10.7326/0003-4819-144-1-200601030-00020
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