Milk Thistle Cleanse to Detoxify the Liver and Kidneys

Milk thistle cleanses are claimed to be beneficial for detoxifying the liver and kidneys.

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a plant that has been used medicinally for over 2,000 years, most commonly as a liver and gallbladder tonic.

In traditional herbal medicine, milk thistle extract is used for disorders such as cirrhosis, fatty liver, gallstone pains (biliary colic) and chronic liver disease. Contemporary investigation indicates milk thistle exhibits hepatoprotective (liver protecting) properties.

This supplement is commonly used to cleanse the body of toxins that can accumulate through the diet or from environmental sources. While there is limited clinical research into the therapeutic value of such cleanses, there are mechanisms by which this supplement can support natural detoxification and anti-oxidant pathways in the body.

Milk thistle capsules and pills may be used to facilitate a cleanse following alcohol consumption or at other times. It is also possible to purchase milk thistle teas or liquid extracts that can be used alongside an all-juice diet or with water as part of a detox protocol.

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 Cleanses and Liver Function

Scientific interest in milk thistle began in the 1970s, particularly in relation to the plant’s antioxidant and hepatoprotective (liver protecting) qualities.

Contemporary investigation has revealed that milk thistle may have a number of effects on the liver, including:

• Increasing protein synthesis in the liver, improving its capacity for healing and restoration;
• Increasing the activity of DNA polymerase 1, which supports enhanced DNA replication;
• Protecting the liver from damages incurred by environmental agents such as hormones, pesticides and herbicides;
• Reducing the damage caused by excessive alcohol consumption and/or drug use, and accelerating the repair of pre-existing damage;
• Preventing, delaying and treating hepatic tumors by controlling tumor cell cycles, metastasis, blood vessel synthesis (angiogenesis) and apoptosis.

Many of these studies are still in the preliminary stages and these observations have yet to be made in a clinical environment.

Silymarin and Antioxidants

A collection of flavonolignans called silymarin is thought to be the biologically active component of the milk thistle plant. Silymarin is a strong antioxidant and has been observed to exhibit up to ten times the antioxidant effect of vitamin E.

Milk thistle supplementation has been observed to increase superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. SOD is an important antioxidant that neutralizes the superoxide free radical. Increasing antioxidant levels in the blood can help reduce free radical damage and stave off the consequences of oxidative stress.

Silymarin and Milk Thistle Extract are typically used in Liver Detox products or as part of cleanse protocols alongside other anti-oxidants. These supplements may be combined with N-Acetyl Cysteine, Alpha Lipoic Acid, L-Glutamine, Vitamin C and Green Tea Extract.

Milk Thistle and Kidney Function

Milk thistle cleanses are also purported to improve kidney function and support general well-being. Most of these benefits are attributed to the constituents of the silymarin flavonolignan complex.

Silymarin is composed of a number of flavonolignans, including silybin A, silybin B, silychristin, silydianin, isosilybin A and isosilybin B.

Silymarin has been used since the 1980s to mitigate kidney damage caused by Death Cap mushroom poisoning. Death Cap mushrooms (Amanita phalloides) contain potent mycotoxins. The action of S. marianum in the treatment of poisoning has been well established since 1979. Since then, silymarin’s use has evolved into a natural option for the treatment of generalized drug toxicity.

Many pharmaceutical agents cause oxidative stress on liver and kidney tissues. S. marianum exhibits antioxidant, neuroprotective and renoprotective effects that can benefit the kidneys. A milk thistle cleanse may help protect against drug-induced kidney damage and help restore proper kidney function. However, it has not been approved by the FDA for this use.

Some doctors recommend milk thistle supplements to protect against nephrotoxicity (toxic effects on the kidneys) caused by radiation treatments and chemotherapy sessions. S. marianum is also thought to protect the kidneys against prescription drugs that are known nephrotoxins, such as cisplatin.

More Benefits of Milk Thistle

Engaging in a milk thistle cleanse is purported to have benefits for more than the kidneys and liver. S. marianum has demonstrated a number of health-boosting properties including:

• Decreasing LDL and total cholesterol levels;
• Reduce risks for developing cardiovascular disease;
• Improve insulin senstivity, helping to lower blood glucose levels and manage the symptoms of type II diabetes;
• Support fertility in females;
• Alleviate symptoms of PMS and menopause;
• Reduce symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder;
• Improve the cognitive capacities of patients with neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s;
• Treat snakebites and other poisonous bite/stings;
• Stimulate increased milk production (lactation);
• Relieve heartburn and acid reflux;
• Treat chronic bronchitis, asthma and other respiratory disorders.

The above list of possible therapeutic benefits of milk thistle supplementation is based largely on anecdotal evidence of use. Not all of these effects have been validated in clinical trials. Some may have been demonstrated in animal or lab-based trials, but results need to be replicated in human trials.

Conclusions

A milk thistle cleanse may support liver and kidney function while helping to eliminate toxins from the body. This supplement has been shown to exhibit anti-oxidant effects and to improve blood lipid profiles and lower blood glucose levels.

Use milk thistle supplements only in accordance with their manufacturer’s recommendations, and discuss supplementation with your physician beforehand. Although milk thistle supplementation is believed to be safe, there are possible side effects and drug/herb interactions to learn about.

Begin with low doses and gradually increase to the recommended levels. Not all individuals may be well-suited to different detoxification protocols. Speak to your doctor before taking milk thistle extract as part of a cleanse regimen.

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