Silymarin Benefits for Liver Health, Cancer & Diabetes

Silymarin benefits have been documented by various clinical trials and over 2,000 years of use as a supplement.

Silymarin is the active ingredient in the hard fruit of the Milk Thistle plant, Silybum marianum. It is traditionally used to treat liver and gallbladder conditions.

Studies have shown Silymarin lowers blood sugar and LDL cholesterol bad cholesterol in Diabetics and can be used to treat and prevent fatty liver disease.

It helps protects the liver from damage by chemicals like carbon tetrachloride, acetaminophen and alcohol and helps promote the growth of new liver cells to replace the damaged ones.

It is used to protect the liver from damage caused from HIV drugs and chemotherapy. Taking antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) can cause indigestion and silymarin is used to relieve this condition.

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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Silymarin Benefits

Silymarin contains betaine hydrochloride which is an acidic form of betaine, a nutrient found in spinach and wheat.

It is believed to be one of the reasons why silymarin is able to protect the liver.

Betaine hydrochloride is also used to treat anemia, asthma, diarrhea, food allergies, gallstones, hay fever, hardening of the arteries, (atherosclerosis), inner ear infections, low levels of potassium (hypokalemia), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), thyroid disorders and yeast infections.

Silymarin increases the inherent antioxidant glutathione in the liver which increases its ability to detoxify. In a study it was shown to increase the survival rate of people with cirrhosis.

In the clinical trial 170 patients, 91 of them alcoholics with liver cirrhosis were given 140 mg silymarin three times a day for 41 months. The four-year survival rate was 58 percent in the silymarin group with the most pronounced reduced death rate in the alcoholic cirrhosis subgroup. There was a significantly lower 39 percent survival rate in the placebo group.

Silymarin is also used to complement the therapy of viral hepatitis.

Silymarin benefits result in increased solubility and flow of bile. The improved flow means gallstones are less likely to form and may aid in the treatment of gallstones.

Regular use of milk thistle extract supplements noticeably reduces the cholesterol level in the bile. This supplement also helps to metabolized fat faster and is used as part of a weight loss plan that includes exercise and sensible diet.

Additional Positive Silymarin Effects

Silymarin scavenges free radicals and inhibits aldose reductase – an enzyme which causes sugar deposits in the eyes of diabetics. Diabetes complications are a leading cause of new cases of blindness. This supplement also lowers the blood sugar and LDL cholesterol in Diabetics. It is used in Cholesterol treatments along with regular therapy.

Silymarin benefits also include reductions in inflammation. It inhibits the synthesis of leukotrienes (a cause of inflammation), which can also lead to psoriasis. This supplement is demonstrated to relieve itchiness, which is believed to be caused by the release of blood toxins through the skin when the liver isn’t functioning properly.

It is also a main ingredient in Leviaderm® cream, which is used by breast cancer patients to treat skin damage caused by radiation treatment.

This supplement is combined with other supplements to treat GERDS, IBS and Dyspepsia (Heartburn) in the product Iberogast. In the supplement Phyto-female, it is used to treat symptoms of hot flashes and night sweats in menopause.

When taken with Antihistamines it has been shown to reduce symptoms even further than just taking antihistamines on their own.

Benefits of Silymarin for Cancer Treatment

A growing area of interest for research into milk thistle extract is its anti-cancer effects. Silymarin is an angiogenesis inhibitor, which means it stops the proliferation of blood vessels that feed tumors.

Without a supply of blood, the cancer cells can’t grow. Research suggests that taking silymarin extract may slow or prevent the development of certain types of cancer cells.

A study published in Cell Biology International in August 2008 indicates that silymarin may inhibit metastasis in prostate cancer. A study published in Pharmaceutical Research in September 2008 identified the strong efficacy of silymarin in prostate cancer prevention and intervention, as reported in previous studies.

Silymarin has also been shown to be of benefit in breast, cervical, colon, lung, skin ovarian and prostate cancers in preliminary studies. Human clinical trials are currently underway for prostate and ovarian cancer in the USA and Europe.

Negative Silymarin Effects

While the benefits of silymarin are generally believed to outweigh the risk of side effects, there are some negative results that have been reported in certain cases.

This supplement can cause allergic reactions, including swelling, rash, hives, itching and breathing problems. It should not be taken if allergic to Ragweed or members of the Asteraceae or Compositae family.

Common side effects are stomach upset, loss of appetite, bloating, diarrhea. heartburn and indigestion. Rare cases of impotence, weakness, lethargy or insomnia, have been reported.

Do not take milk thistle extract or silymarin if you have breast, ovarian, prostate or uterine cancer, endometriosis or uterine fibroids, unless you are directed to do so by your physician.

Do not use this supplement with prescription drugs like Antipsychotics, Fluphenazine, Promethazine, Haloperidol and Chlorpromazine. It should also not be taken with Fexofenadine (Allegra), the anti-seizure drug, Phenytoin (Dilantin), Anticoagulants (Plavix, Coumadin), Anxiolytics (Ativan, Xanax, Valium) and Statins (Mevacor, Altocor).

Silymarin benefits are well known in the treatment of liver and gallbladder conditions. Further benefits are being confirmed in studies in its application in the treatment of cancer. It is considered generally safe to use up to six years, if needed. Use with caution during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

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