Kava Kava Use
An investigation by a coalition of dietary supplement makers into a possible link between health supplement kava kava and an increased risk of liver failure has exonerated the herb, although the study’s author urged that it be used with caution. Sales of kava kava have recently been restricted or banned in several European countries and Canada due to several reports linking it to liver toxicity and failure. But the findings of a three month evaluation of the herb by a coalition have given a tentative all clear to the use of the supplement. The study carried out by Dr. Donald Waller, a toxicologist and professor at the University of Illinois, Chicago IL, looked at more than 50 case reports from the U.S. and Germany. While all of the German cases reported some liver associated effect, only five of the U.S. cases had any such indication. Dr. Waller concluded that there was “no clear evidence that the liver damage reported in the U.S. and Europe was caused by the consumption of kava,” but added that “the medical community and the general public should be made aware that concomitant intake of prescription drugs associated with liver damage, excessive alcohol consumption and pre-existing liver disease may preclude any kava consumption.” Following publication of the study, the coalition members met with officials from FDA in February to discuss the potential threat of tighter regulations on kava kava in the U.S. One coalition member, NNFA, said that agency representatives had commented that FDA was still evaluating case reports involving kava in order to determine future actions, if any. The coalition also included the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) and the Utah Natural Products Alliance.