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Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is an herbaceous plant that is commonly thought of as a weed. It has a long history of medicinal use, which was first recorded in Ancient Greece for the treatment of poisonous snake bites.
For centuries, milk thistle has been used to treat ailments relating to the gallbladder and especially the liver.
On account of its therapeutic profile, some look to milk thistle to aid in weight loss, but there is little to no scientific or traditional evidence to support this use. While there is evidence that shows improved liver function can support weight loss and energy metabolism, no studies have specifically looked at milk thistle extract for this application.
Today, Milk thistle has been studied for its use in the treatment of liver disorders including cirrhosis, hepatitis and fatty liver disease.
While there is not uniform consensus within the scientific community of its efficacy, there is some evidence that milk thistle and its active component – silymarin – can be useful in the treatment of some liver disorders.[1]
It has also been observed to exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Liver Health
Detox
Longevity- Supports liver health & detox
- Anti-oxidant & anti-inflammatory properties
- Improves insulin sensitivity & cholesterol
Top Milk Thistle Products* ❯Milk Thistle for Weight Loss
Related Topics
- Milk Thistle
- Silybum Marianum
- Silymarin
- Benefits & Uses
- User Reviews
- Use for Diabetes
- Use for Hangovers
- Use for Psoriasis
- Use for Liver Health
- Use for Weight Loss
- Milk Thistle Tea
- Milk Thistle Extract
- Dosage Guide
- How to Take
- Reported Side Effects
- Safe Usage
- Best Supplements
- Combo with Dandelion Extract
- Milk Thistle Tincture
There has been no clinical evidence showing that milk thistle can promote weight loss, increase the body’s metabolism or cause a reduction in body fat percentage.
Weight loss is best achieved through a healthy diet and exercise. Considerable evidence indicates that a calorie deficit (consuming fewer calories than your body needs, which is achieved through sensible eating and exercise) is responsible for weight loss.
Supplements may play a role in supporting weight loss by ensuring your body is functioning optimally. Milk thistle has been observed to help treat liver disorders and the liver plays a crucial role in the human body by metabolizing and removing toxins.
Some use milk thistle for weight loss as part of a detox diet to support the liver. This may in theory result in better whole-body function, which may support weight loss. But the connection would be indirect.
Milk Thistle Health Benefits
The hard fruits of the Silybum marianum plant are used to make milk thistle extract. The main active ingredient is Silymarin which is a complex of flavonolignans (silybin A, silybin B, isosilybin A, isosilybin B, silychristin, isosilychristin, silydianin) and one flavonoid, taxifolin.
Silybin is thought to be the most therapeutically active component of silymarin.
Silymarin has been observed to exhibit strong antioxidant properties (helps reduce oxidative stress in the body), as well as anti-lipid-peroxidative, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating effects.[5] These are the mechanisms usually thought to support the treatment of liver disorders, including toxic hepatitis, fatty liver and cirrhosis.[5]
Because of its historical uses in the treatment of liver disorders and the contemporary scientific evidence pointing to its use in the treatment of certain liver diseases, some use milk thistle to support the liver during a regular weight loss plan. Milk thistle tea is a popular weight loss tea and is generally well tolerated.
Supplements for Weight Loss
For successful weight loss, it is important to remember that there is no miracle pill that will remove the need for exercise and eating a healthy, balanced diet.
As studies have shown time and again, weight loss is the result of a caloric deficit (taking in fewer calories due to diet and exercise than the body requires).[2, 6]
If you are looking to support a healthy weight loss plan with supplements, there are some general categories to consider.
Supplements to support weight loss usually function as appetite suppressants, metabolism boosters, and blood glucose regulators. Put another way, certain supplements may help curb your appetite (help you take in fewer calories), metabolize calories more efficiently (help you burn more calories) or help regulate blood sugar levels (help control hunger and cravings).
Although there is no scientific consensus about the efficacy of supplements to support weight loss, some supplements are commonly used as part of a weight loss plan. These include 5-HTP, Garcinia cambogia, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and green tea extract.
For instance, Garcinia cambogiacontains a constituent known as hydroxycitric acid (HCA) which may play a role in appetite suppression, but clinical studies have come up with contradictory results and further studies are required. CLA has been observed to reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness, but this isn’t always associated with a reduction in calorie consumption. [4]
does possess other beneficial properties that can promote overall health. As with all supplements, be sure to speak with your doctor before use, especially if you are taking other medications of have complicating health factors.
Remember, while milk thistle may help support the liver, successful weight loss plans will always include a sensible diet and exercise.
- Flora K, Hahn M, Rosen H, Benner K. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) for the therapy of liver disease. Am J Gastroenterol. 1998
- Golay A, et al Similar weight loss with low- or high-carbohydrate diets . Am J Clin Nutr. 1996 Feb;63(2):174-8.
- Huseini, H.F., et al. The Efficacy of Silybum Marianum (L.) Gaertn. (Silymarin) in the Treatment of Type II Diabetes: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Trial. Phytother Res. 2006 Dec; 20(12):1036-9.
- Kamphuis MM, Lejeune MP, Saris WH, Westerterp-Plantenga MS. Effect of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation after weight loss on appetite and food intake in overweight subjects. Eur J Clin Nutr 2003;57:1268-74.
- Saller, R., Meier, R., Brignoli, R. The Use of Silymarin in the Treatment of Liver Diseases. Drugs. 2001;61(14):2035-63..
- Swinburn B, Sacks G, Ravussin E Increased food energy supply is more than sufficient to explain the US epidemic of obesity . Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Dec;90(6):1453-6.
Article last updated on: May 10th, 2018 by Nootriment