Jarrow Formula’s Milk Thistle Supplement with Standardized Silymarin Extract

Supplement manufacturer Jarrow Formulas produces a Milk Thistle supplement standardized to contain 80 % milk thistle seed flavonoids, including the silymarin fractions silybinin A and B, silichristin, isosilibin and silidianin.

Milk thistle is the common name for the plant Silybum marianum. It has been used in traditional medicine practice for over two thousand years to treat conditions related to the liver and gallbladder.

Contemporary research indicates milk thistle has hepatoprotective (liver-protecting) and renoprotective (kidney-protecting) properties, confirming the traditional uses of the plant.

It also acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent and has exhibited anti-diabetic, cardioprotective (heart-protecting) and anti-cancer properties.

Many of Jarrow Milk Thistle’s uses are connected to a flavonoid complex called silymarin that is concentrated in the plant’s seeds. Seeds contain, on average, between 4 and 6 % silymarin, meaning that the 80 % concentration found in Jarrow milk thistle is significantly higher than the levels contained in the milk thistle plant.

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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Jarrow Milk Thistle Uses

Jarrow Milk thistle is used for a wide variety of conditions, especially those related to the kidneys, gallbladder and liver. It is also used for multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, infertility, benign prostatic hyperplasia, Parkinson disease and cancer.

Silymarin is composed of flavonoids including silibinin, silidianin and silicristin. This complex of flavonoids exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects, among others. Many opt for silymarin supplements in the hopes of concentrating milk thistle’s therapeutic effects.

These uses are supported by varying levels of scientific evidence. For example, a number of studies indicate milk thistle may protect against alcohol-induced liver damage but more research is needed to understand how it affects other liver diseases.

In addition, milk thistle has shown some promise against cancer cells in laboratory experiments, but it is unclear if and how it will impact cancer in the human body.

Jarrow Milk Thistle for Liver Health

Jarrow Formulas Milk Thistle is promoted as a liver-supporting supplement.

The liver is a large organ situated on the right-side of the abdomen under the diaphragm. It serves many functions in the human body, including filtering blood from the digestive tract, aiding in the metabolism of medications, producing bile to support digestion and detoxifying chemicals and other compounds that could otherwise harm the body.

When it is functioning properly, the liver can filter the vast majority of toxins that enter the system. However, liver damage caused by excessive alcohol consumption, viruses (like hepatitis), a fatty diet or prolonged exposure to high levels of toxins can compromise liver function.

Jarrow Milk thistle and silymarin supplements are taken to support liver health and help protect and heal the liver. Scientific studies reveal that milk thistle and silymarin impact the liver in a number of different ways.

Antioxidant Production

Milk thistle has been observed to increase glutathione synthesis by as much as 35 % in the human liver (50 % in rat livers). Glutathione is a strong antioxidant that inhibits damage from ROS (reactive oxygen species), such as free radicals, heavy metals and lipid peroxides.

Milk thistle has also been observed to increase the levels of another important antioxidant: superoxide dismutase (SOD).

Both glutathione and SOD neutralize free radicals that could otherwise cause cellular damage, including damage to liver cells.

Protein Synthesis

Milk thistle has been observed to stimulate the synthesis of proteins that are necessary for the regeneration of liver cells.

This may be one of the mechanisms by which it helps the liver heal after damage caused by exposure to toxins like alcohol, illicit drugs, pharmaceuticals and environmental pollutants.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

In laboratory experiments, silymarin (particularly silibin) has been observed to exhibit anti-inflammatory effects. Some use silymarin in the hopes of reducing liver inflammation caused by viral hepatitis, but this use has not been verified by scientific data.

The anti-inflammatory effects of silymarin have been observed in experiments involving cancer cells. Researchers hypothesize silymarin may affect inflammation by mediating cell signaling pathways.

Milk Thistle Clinical Studies

Animal and laboratory studies indicate that milk thistle can support and protect the liver, but the results of human studies have been mixed.

Silymarin has been observed to improve liver function and increase life span in individuals who are suffering from alcohol-induced cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatitis. However, these studies have been criticized for being small and yielding inconclusive results. [2]

Similarly, Jarrow milk thistle is often used for viral hepatitis, but the available results are mixed: some participants experienced improved liver function while others did not.

Jarrow Milk Thistle for Diabetes

In clinical studies, silymarin has been observed to significantly reduce fasting blood glucose levels, cholesterol levels and triglycerides in patients with type II diabetes. In these studies, silymarin was combined with conventional treatments to yield these improved results.

Additional studies indicate milk thistle may help improve insulin sensitivity in people who suffer from both diabetes and alcoholic cirrhosis. [1]

Ingredients in Jarrow Milk Thistle Supplements

According to Jarrow Formulas, their milk thistle supplements do not contain wheat, gluten, dairy, soy, eggs, shellfish or peanuts/tree nuts. They do not contain genetically modified ingredients and are suitable for vegetarian/vegan diets.

Aside from the 80% concentration of flavonoids, Jarrow milk thistle contains vegetable-sourced magnesium stearate, cellulose and silicone dioxide. The capsules are made from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.

Jarrow Milk Thistle Dosage Recommendations

The Jarrow milk thistle extract supplement is available in 150 mg capsules. The suggested dose is one capsule per day.

The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates milk thistle as “Likely Safe” when used orally and appropriately. The authors note that a specific milk thistle supplement standardized to contain between 70 and 80 % silymarin has been taken daily at a dose of 420 mg for up to four years. [1]

Jarrow Formula’s Milk thistle may interact with a number of prescription and over-the-counter medications. It has been observed to affect metabolizing pathways in the liver and may alter drug metabolism. In addition, it may exacerbate the effects of medications used to lower blood sugar levels.

Speak with your doctor before taking Jarrow Milk Thistle products to make sure you are not at risk of side effects or drug interactions.

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