Milk Thistle and Alcohol – Research into Silymarin’s Effects on Liver Health

Milk thistle is often taken for alcoholic cirrhosis or to help protect the liver after periods of alcohol consumption. It has been promoted as a “hangover pill“, but there is no evidence that it can remedy the mental or physical symptoms of a hangover.

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has been used for more than 2,000 years in traditional medicine practices. Historic uses for S. marianum, which date back to Ancient Greece, have focused on treating disorders of the gallbladder and liver.

In contemporary studies, S. marianum has demonstrated hepatoprotective (liver protecting), renoprotective (kidney protecting), antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and cardioprotective properties.

The many properties of milk thistle mean it is used for a long list of conditions, including liver disorders, kidney disorders, hangover, diabetes, mushroom poisoning, cancer, infertility and allergies, to name only a few of its many contemporary uses.

Taking milk thistle following alcohol consumption may help to protect against liver damage and improve liver function tests. Research shows that silymarin and silybin help to scavenge free radical damage which can result from drinking alcoholic beverages.

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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Alcohol Metabolism and the Liver

Along with the kidneys, the liver is one of the body’s most crucial filtration organs. It filters blood coming from the digestive system, meaning it plays a key role in the metabolism of alcohol.

The alcohol molecule needs to be broken up or metabolized to be removed from the body. But the metabolism process involves the creation of highly toxic substances.

For instance, the most common alcohol metabolism pathway involves two enzymes: alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH).

ADH acts on the alcohol molecule to produce acetaldehyde, which is a highly toxic substance and known carcinogen. [1] From there, acetaldehyde is metabolized to form a less toxic compound called acetate that is broken down to water and carbon dioxide before it is excreted from the body.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, most research has focused on acetaldehyde, one of the intermediaries in alcohol metabolism. The molecule is short lived, but can cause significant damage, particularly to the liver where most alcohol metabolism takes place. [1]

Because of the liver damage caused by alcohol, many take milk thistle supplements in the hopes of protecting the liver from alcohol induced damage.

Milk Thistle, Alcohol and the Liver

The active constituent of milk thistle is a collection of flavonoids called silymarin. This complex is concentrated in the seeds of the milk thistle plant, but natural concentrations only range between 7 and 8 %.

Milk thistle supplements are often standardized to contain a specific concentration of silymarin. Alternatively, specific silymarin supplements are available.

Silymarin and milk thistle have been observed to exhibit a number of liver protecting effects. For instance, silymarin has been observed to increase the liver’s synthesis of specific proteins involved in liver repair.

In addition, silymarin and milk thistle exhibit antioxidant effects, which are thought to play a role in its hepatoprotective (liver protecting) properties, particularly after the consumption of alcohol.

Although silymarin and milk thistle have been observed to improve liver function tests in some studies, the exact mechanism underlying these observations are likely complex and multi-faceted.

In addition, the ability of milk thistle and silymarin to protect the liver from the effects of alcohol metabolites, such as acetaldehyde, has not been studied.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, milk thistle is often recommended in the treatment of alcohol-related liver conditions, such as alcoholic hepatitis (inflammation of the liver caused by excessive alcohol consumption) and alcoholic cirrhosis (which is characterized by the replacement of healthy liver tissue with scar tissue). However, studies involving milk thistle for these conditions have yielded mixed results.

The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that while most studies indicate that milk thistle helps improve liver function and increases survival rates of individuals with alcoholic cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis, many of these studies have been too small or had design flaws that prevent conclusions from being drawn.

Milk Thistle for Hangover Relief

Milk thistle extract is often included in supplements that are designed to provide relief from hangover symptoms following a night of heavy drinking. While there are anecdotal reports of effectiveness, there are no research studies that have shown it can reduce hangover severity or duration.

Theoretically, if milk thistle could improve the processing of alcohol by the liver, it might result in a reduction of hangover symptoms. While this supplement does support liver function, there is insufficient evidence to rate it for this use.

Taking milk thistle should not be thought of as a license to drink more alcohol without experiencing negative side effects. Moderation is recommended if drinking alcohol.

Milk Thistle Supplements

Milk thistle supplements come in a variety of forms, including tinctures or extracts made using alcohol.

It is important to not use alcohol-based tinctures if you are using milk thistle for conditions related to alcohol consumption. However, some opt to make their own tincture using alcohol extraction.

How to Make Milk Thistle and Alcohol Tinctures

Preparing a milk thistle and alcohol tincture at home is a straightforward process. You will need milk thistle seeds, 100-proof vodka and a container that can be sealed airtight.

Cut, mash or grind the seeds and add them to the container. Fill the container nearly full with high-quality vodka. Tightly seal the container and set in a dry, cool, dark place. Allow the mixture to steep for at least eight weeks, gently mixing the ingredients every third day.

After eight weeks, you may begin using the tincture. Use an eyedropper to measure and administer the liquid tincture. A dosage of three drops, three times daily has been used.

You may stay at this dosage level for several days and then determine if you would like to increase the dosage. If you do choose to increase your dose, do so gradually.

There can be a significant difference between three and four drops of milk thistle tincture, especially when this is multiplied by three daily doses. If you notice any gastrointestinal discomfort, headaches or other side effects, decrease the dosage or discontinue use until the symptoms subside.

There is no standard dosage for milk thistle and alcohol tincture supplementation. Begin at a low dose and then experiment for best results. An individual’s optimal dose will depend on a number of factors, including age, gender, weight, overall health and physical activity level. Experiment slowly and with caution, and watch for the onset of subtle adverse side effects.

Milk Thistle Uses

Thousands of years of traditional use combined with promising data from clinical trials indicates S. marianum is generally well tolerated by humans. If taken appropriately, milk thistle is not commonly associated with severe side effects.

In clinical trials, S. marianum has been used for up to 44 months without note of severe side effect. The following is a partial list of the possible health benefits associated with milk thistle supplementation:

• Improving the symptoms of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, jaundice, hepatitis and liver exposure to toxins;
• Supporting healthy blood glucose levels;
• Improving blood and urine markers that may indicate diabetes-induced kidney malfunction;
• Elevating superoxide dismutase levels and improving the antioxidant content of plasma;
• Suppressing STAT3 and VEGF pathway activities, helping to control cell cycling, apoptosis, metastasis and angiogenesis in tumor cells;
• Balancing cholesterol and improving lipid profiles, reducing the chances of developing cardiovascular disorders, including hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease and heart disease;
• Supporting female fertility;
• Ameliorating cognitive function in patients with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases;
• Reducing osteoarthritis pains;
• Alleviating the toxic effects of the Death Cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides) poisoning.

There are a number of other therapeutic uses attributed to milk thistle, but clinical research is insufficient to verify the vast majority of claims. Widespread clinical research is currently underway.

Major healthcare organizations, such as the National Cancer Institute in the United States, have begun large-scale human trials on S. marianum and its active constituents to better define the therapeutic effect of milk thistle.

Milk Thistle Safety and Side Effects

Milk thistle has been observed to cause a number of biological effects. As a consequence, it may interact with a number of prescription and over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements.

In particular, do not combine milk thistle supplementation with prescription drugs used to target diabetes, immune system disorders and/or actions of the cytochrome p450 enzyme pathway of the liver. Improper or excessive use of milk thistle and alcohol tinctures may cause very serious side effects.

S. marianum is also a known galactogogue. These substances increase milk production and may cause health issues for pregnant or nursing women. Please consult with a doctor or pharmacist before consuming milk thistle and alcohol tinctures.

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