Best Milk Thistle Supplement & Product Reviews

Silybum marianum, often known by its common name, Milk Thistle, is an annual or biennial plant native to the southern regions of Europe and parts of Asia and now commonly found throughout the world.

The beneficial herb belongs to the Asteraceae family and if found in an empty lot or yard may be classified as a nuisance weed.

However, this relatively common plant has been used as a medicinal herb for thousands of years, particularly in the treatment of liver and gallbladder disorders.

Milk thistle supplements are believed to support liver and gallbladder function and have been associated with wide-variety of health benefits, ranging from blood-sugar stabilization in diabetes patients to reduced inflammation via antioxidant action.

What should you look for when buying the best milk thistle extract supplement?

Milk Thistle

Herbal Supplement

Liver Health

Detox

Longevity

How It Works:

• Supports liver health & detox
• Anti-oxidant & anti-inflammatory properties
• Improves insulin sensitivity & cholesterol

Dosage:

Between 140 - 800 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

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Milk Thistle and Silymarin Supplements

The flavonoid silymarin is thought to be the active component of milk thistle and the two names are sometimes used interchangeably.

Silymarin is contained within the seeds of the milk thistle. Supplements often come in the form of purified silymarin gel capsules or tablets.

Silymarin is a flavonoid complex composed of silybin, silydianin, and silibin. Silybin is the major component of silymarin, making up between 60 and 70 per cent of the flavonoid complex, and is considered the major active component. [3]

Different brands of milk thistle have been found to contain significantly different concentrations of silymarin, which in turn impact the therapeutic effect of the supplement. [1] The best milk thistle supplement will have a high concentration of silymarin and it is important to follow the dosing guidelines of the particular brand you use.

When taken orally, silymarin has a relatively low absorption rate, but has shown some therapeutic potential. [3]

Heath Benefits of Milk Thistle

Milk thistle supplements are used to treat a variety of conditions, especially those associated with the liver or gallbladder. Milk thistle has been studied in its use for relief of symptoms of cirrhosis of the liver, as a treatment for liver poisoning, and may help to support liver function in those diagnosed with alcoholic hepatitis and/or viral hepatitis.

It is thought to act as an antioxidant, and in turn, may aid in the reduction of inflammation, but further research needs to be done to verify this function. Historically, milk thistle has been used in the treatment of gallbladder and liver conditions including malaria and jaundice.

The supplement functions by altering the structure of the outer membranes of liver cells. This can help prevent toxins caused by food, drugs, or alcohol from reaching the interior of liver cells.

It is also believed to stimulate a chemical process known as nucleolar polymerize A, which is responsible for stimulating and initiating new, healthy liver cell development and growth.

Beyond its association with the liver and gallbladder, milk thistle is sometimes taken orally to treat loss of appetite, diabetes, and dyspepsia.

Additional Reported Uses

Today, some of the best milk thistle supplements on the market have been used to treat and reduce frequency of outbreaks of skin conditions like psoriasis, mainly due to its purported anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, but further research needs to be done to verify this function in a clinical setting. It is also being used to treat cirrhosis of the liver caused by diabetes and alcoholism.

Silymarin has been observed to help reduce insulin resistance in groups of insulin-treated diabetics with alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver. [2] The author’s speculate that silymarin helped reduce the oxidative damage of lipids in liver cell membranes.

The hepatoprotective (liver protecting) qualities of milk thistle are being investigated for their ability to mitigate liver damage experienced by cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy; however, no clinical data regarding the use of milk thistle in cancer treatment methodologies have been concluded.

Studies are also underway to determine the efficacy of milk thistle in the treatment of some forms of breast cancer as well as childhood cancers like lymphoblastic leukemia.

Milk thistle Supplementation Cautions

Even the best milk thistle supplement on the market will come with cautions. It is important to speak to a healthcare professional before beginning any supplement program, especially if you have a previously diagnosed medical condition.

For example, some milk thistle products, such as tinctures, are created with alcohol and are not recommended for anyone utilizing milk thistle as a treatment for liver conditions or liver disease.

Milk thistle and silymarin may interfere with the efficacy of birth control pills. If pregnant or nursing, be sure to discuss the use of milk thistle supplements with an obstetrician or pediatrician. Because silymarin can enhance the stimulation of gallbladder and liver activity, it may produce relatively mild and temporary laxative effects.

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