The investigators found a total of 65 unique ingredients. “Most of these ingredients have historical uses linked to liver health. But our research revealed that strong scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of any of these supplements is currently lacking,” Dr. Eltelbany said. They started the study by creating a new account on Amazon to make sure the search would not be influenced by prior shopping or purchases. They next searched for supplements using the keywords “liver” and “cleanse.” To figure out sales numbers, they used the AMZScout proprietary analytics software that Amazon sellers use to track sales.
Reviewing the reviews
The researchers discovered an average 11,526 reviews for each supplement product. The average rating was 4.42 stars out of 5.
Using Fakespot.com, proprietary Amazon customer review software that analyzes the timing and language of reviews, they found that only 65% of product reviews were genuine.
“We felt it was crucial to vet the authenticity of customer feedback,” Dr. Eltelbany said.
Few other options?
Liver disease remains a persistent and significant global health burden. Despite advances in many areas of gastroenterology, there remains no curative treatment for liver cirrhosis, Dr. Eltelbany said.
The primary option for people with end-stage liver disease is a liver transplant. “However, given the scarcity of donors and the vast number of patients in need, many individuals, unfortunately, do not get a timely transplant,” he said. “This void of treatment options and the desperation to find relief often drives patients towards alternative therapies.”
Also, online shopping has made getting these supplements “as simple as a click away. But what’s more concerning is the trust placed in these products by our patients,” Dr. Eltelbany said.
“There’s a strong need for rigorous scientific investigation into the actual health benefits of any liver detox supplements,” he said. “Above all, patient education remains paramount, warning them of potential risks and unknowns of these supplements.”
A version of this article appeared on WebMD.com.