Supplements Under Fire: Why The Liver Doc Says Multivitamins May Do More Harm Than Good

Multi-award winning Hepatologist Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips (@theliverdr), widely known as The Liver Doc, ignited a storm on September 3, 2025, when he tweeted in response to a post by Dr. Akhil, M.D General Medicine (@DrAkhilX) showcasing a supplement stack, including Horny Goat Weed.

Calling out hyped-up products like men’s multivitamin gummies as “absolute garbage,” The Liver Doc raised questions about multivitamin risks and whether supplements are safe for healthy people. Backed by research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), his post challenges the $55.7 billion supplement industry, which many critics say profits from hype more than health.

So, the question is: are multivitamins safe, or just a risky fad?

1. Nature’s Truth Horny Goat Weed Complex: No solid human studies back claims of improved erectile function, testosterone, or performance. Risks include heart palpitations, dizziness and low blood pressure.

2. NOW Saw Palmetto Extract: Major trials show no significant prostate health benefits compared to placebo; any symptom relief is minimal and inconsistent. Side effects include stomach issues, headaches, increased bleeding risk, and rare cases of severe liver damage and pancreatitis.

2. Men’s Multivitamin (gummies): No health benefits for healthy people. Long-term use may increase cancer risks: a 2% higher overall cancer risk, 3% for prostate, 8% for lung, and 16–26% for leukemia with multiple daily doses, per NIH data.⁽¹⁾

3. POPSTAR “Semen Volume + Taste Enhancer”: No clinical evidence supports claims of increased semen volume or taste alteration pure marketing. Ingredients like zinc, maca, fenugreek, and L-arginine may cause stomach upset, low blood pressure, and interactions with hormones or blood thinners. On this he also added sarcastically:

4. NOW Fenugreek 500 mg: Lacks clear evidence for health benefits. Can cause digestive issues, a “maple” odor in body or urine, allergic reactions (due to legume cross-reactivity), low blood sugar with diabetes meds, and heightened bleeding risk.

His sharpest punchline:

The NIH’s fact sheet on multivitamin/mineral supplements (MVMs) backs The Liver Doc’s warnings. About one-third of U.S. adults use MVMs, yet benefits are shaky for healthy people:

• Pros: MVMs can fill nutrient gaps (e.g., vitamin A, E, zinc) for deficient groups like pregnant women or vegans. NHANES data shows they boost nutrient adequacy from 74-76% to 83-84%.

• Cons: No clear protection against cancer or heart disease, per a 2022 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force statement. A 2012 trial linked MVMs to slight cancer risk increases in men. Excess intake (e.g., vitamin A, iron) can exceed safe limits, risking toxicity.

The catch? MVM formulas vary wildly, so study results don’t apply universally.

The Summer 2025 issue of Family Doctor, a journal of the New York State Academy of Family Physicians, Authors Jack Scheutzow, MD, and Sandy Wang, MD, MPH, emphasize:

• In the US. About 30% of adults and 25% of adolescents report taking MVMs daily. This popularity is largely driven by the belief that supplements offer an easy way to “fill nutritional gaps” or help prevent disease. Large randomized controlled trials have found little evidence to support these claims for the general population.

• Rather than focusing on supplements and quick fixes, providers can guide patients toward a whole-food, plant-predominant diet, which has been consistently associated with lower risks of chronic disease and improved quality of life.

Reference:

1. New York State Academy of Family Physicians (NYSAFP). 2025. “Family Doctor: A Journal of the New York State Academy of Family Physicians, Summer 2025 (Vol. 14, No. 1).” Summer 2025. https://www.nysafp.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Family-Doctor_Summer25.pdf.

(Rh/Eth/VK/MSM)