Milk Thistle Powder for Fatty Liver Disease & More

Milk thistle powder is made from the ground seeds of the milk thistle plant (Silybum marianum). A member of the Asteraceae family, milk thistle has a long history of medicinal use that dates back millennia.

The plant is indigenous to the Mediterranean region of Europe, but has now been naturalized throughout the continent and in regions around the world (particularly North America).

The first recorded use of milk thistle occurred in Ancient Greece to treat a poisonous snake bite. Since then, milk thistle extract powder has been used by physicians and practitioners of traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, particularly disorders of the liver.

A complex of flavonolignans, collectively referred to as silymarin, is credited with the medicinal properties for which the plant is known. Silymarin has been observed to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating and antitumor effects, as well as other potentially therapeutic properties.

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 Powder

Milk thistle powder is produced by grinding the whole seeds of the milk thistle plant.

Both the raw seed and ground powder can be used to make an infusion. Silymarin is primarily contained in the seeds of the milk thistle plant.

However, many supplements now contain standardized concentrations of silymarin produced synthetically, which is commonly used for medicinal purposes.

Synthetic compounds are less likely to be contaminated with heavy metals or microorganisms compared to herbal extracts. Crude milk thistle powder is often used for more benign ailments, such as dyspepsia or stomach upset.

Contemporary research beginning in the 1960s has focused on the use of Silybum marianum in the treatment of liver and kidney disorders. Components of the plant have been observed to exhibit hepatoprotective (liver protecting) and renoprotective (kidney protecting) actions.

Consequently, milk thistle is often used in the hopes of mitigating damage caused by alcohol consumption and drug use. It has been used for many centuries as a treatment and preventive agent for various diseases and adverse conditions of the liver. More recently milk thistle (silymarin) has been studied for its role as an adjunct to conventional treatment of type II diabetes.

As its name suggests, milk thistle has been historically used to stimulate milk production and is still commonly used as a galactagogue (an agent that stimulates lactation).

Milk Thistle Powder Effects

Milk thistle is often used to support liver health. The prevalence of alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing in the United States and in much of the world. Although alcohol is the most common cause of fatty liver, nonalcoholic causes (including obesity) are becoming more common.

All livers have certain concentrations of fats, but when the amount exceeds 10 percent the weight of the organ, fatty liver conditions are noted. Lipotoxicity often results, which may lead to organ malfunction and subsequent death.

Silymarin in milk thistle powder has been investigated for its role in addressing fatty liver disease. It may work by supporting and promoting overall liver function and by enhancing the metabolism of lipids. Silymarin contains antioxidants and has been observed to induce anti-inflammatory actions.

Inflammation is related to the healing mechanism for cellular damage, but chronic inflammation is now associated with many preventable diseases, including type II diabetes, heart disease and NAFDL.

Milk Thistle Powder Anti-Tumor Properties

In laboratory experiments conducted on cell lines, silymarin has been observed to exhibit antitumor effects. However, no evidence is available to suggest a similar outcome will occur in the human body.

The relationship between silymarin and cancer is in the early stages of investigation and no clinical trials have been conducted.

It is hypothesized that the observed antitumor effects in research trials were a consequence of silymarin. This compound is reported to inhibit the formation of the new blood vessels that feed cancer cells, induce apoptosis (cell death) of cancerous cells and stop the proliferation of cancerous cells.

These findings are in the preliminary stages and have not been tested on a human population. No evidence exists to support the use of milk thistle for cancer treatment.

Milk Thistle and Blood Sugar

Milk thistle has been observed to help control blood sugar in individuals diagnosed with type II diabetes. Studies have focused on silymarin as an adjunct to conventional treatment. This means milk thistle is not a replacement for conventional treatment, but may play a role in maintaining health blood sugar levels.

It is important to speak with your doctor before taking silymarin or milk thistle powder to support blood sugar levels because existing diabetic medication may need to be altered.

In Review

A review of testimonials from current milk thistle powder supplement users indicates general consumer satisfaction. Reviews are largely positive and center on using the supplements to help lower the amount of prescription medications taken for diabetes, liver function, skin health and allergies.

Milk thistle is generally well tolerated by humans. Minor side effects may include headache, diarrhea and dry mouth. Milk thistle may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medications. Be sure to speak with your doctor before taking milk thistle powder, especially if you are taking prescription medications or have been diagnosed with a serious health condition.

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