Silymarin Dosages for Liver Detox, Anti-Oxidant Effects & Cholesterol

The correct silymarin dosage depends on a number of factors, including the reason for use and the medical history of the individual using the supplement.

Silymarin is the active herbal constituent found in the Milk Thistle plant, which has been used as a liver tonic and to slow down signs of aging.

Many clinical studies have focused on the use of silymarin as an adjunct to conventional therapies, which has established a therapeutic range of silymarin doses. Generally, dosages are between from 140 – 800 mg/day with the higher dosages mainly reserved for studies involving the treatment of liver disease.

There is no standard agreement as to the optimal dosage of silymarin extract. However, you can speak to your doctor to help determine which dose is best for you.

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 Background: Origin and Uses

Silymarin is considered the most therapeutically active ingredient of the milk thistle plant (Silybum marianum).

Milk thistle has been used for thousands of years to treat a variety of ailments, particularly those related to the liver.

Silymarin content is usually standardized in milk thistle supplements to account for 70 to 80 percent of the dose.

Today, milk thistle supplements are available in a variety of forms, including powders, capsules, tinctures and teas. However, due to the poor water solubility of silymarin, consuming milk thistle in its tea form is generally not recommended for medicinal use.

In laboratory studies silymarin doses have been observed to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating effects. It is often used as an antioxidant and to help support the detoxification of a congested liver.

Studies have shown it helps the symptoms of allergic rhinitis when used in combination with other treatments and is being investigated as an adjunct (additional) treatment for asthma.

Silymarin has also been observed to lower cholesterol and blood sugar in diabetics when used in conjunction with conventional treatments. Additionally, it has been observed to regulate the size of fat cells and is sometimes used for weight loss management, although there is no clinical evidence to support this use.

Silymarin Dosage Recommendations

Silymarin has been administered at a dosage of 140 mg three times a day for a month to treat symptoms of allergic rhinitis. The study showed that, when use in conjunction with antihistamines, fewer symptoms were experienced by the group taking silymarin supplementation.

For use as an antioxidant, 140 mg of silymarin has been taken three times a day for three weeks. For weight loss, up to six cups of milk thistle tea has been consumed daily. It should be used as a supplement to a sensible diet, weight loss plan and exercise.

For osteoarthritis, 150 mg of silymarin has been taken twice daily for eight weeks. For high cholesterol, 200-600 milligrams of silymarin has been taken one to three times a day for four months in conjunction with regular treatment.

Some studies have focused on the benefit of taking silymarin in conjunction with conventional therapies. Individuals with type II diabetes have taken 200-230 mg of silymarin one to three times a day for four weeks and 12 months (respectively), together with regular therapy.

Silymarin has been observed to lower blood sugar; individuals with diabetes should be monitored closely to ensure the safe adjustment of diabetic medication. In the case of diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease), 140 mg of silymarin has been taken three times a day for three months.

Silymarin Usage for Liver Health

Silymarin or milk thistle has been historically used to treat disorders of the liver. Today, silymarin has been observed in laboratory experiments to exhibit properties that help support liver function.

This includes protecting the liver from damaging substances and promoting re-growth of new liver cells to replace damaged ones. For liver damage from drugs or toxins, a Silymarin dosage of 160-800 mg has been taken daily in three divided doses for periods ranging from 15 days to five weeks.

Smaller doses of silibinin have been administered for liver damage. Silibinin is a constituent of silymarin and is thought to be the most therapeutically active among the flavonolignans in silymarin extract.

70 mg of silibinin (in the form of silybin A and silybin B) has been taken three times daily for 6-12 months to treat liver disease. For acute viral hepatitis 160 to 180 mg of silymarin has been taken daily three times a day for three weeks.

For chronic liver diseass leading to fibrosis and cirrhosis, 160-480 mg of silybin (as Silipide®, IdB 1016) has been taken once or three times daily for up to three months. A lower dose of 120-420 mg of silymarin (brand Legalon®) has been administered daily in three divided doses for four weeks to 12 months.

For cirrhosis, an advanced form of liver disease, dosages ranging between 160 to 800 mg of silymarin (taken in two to three daily doses for up to two years) have been used. Alcoholism, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and fatty liver disease are the most common causes of cirrhosis, but sometimes the cause is unknown.

Ascites (fluid retention in the abdominal cavity) is a common complication of cirrhosis, which leads to an increased risk of infection. A liver transplant may be required in advanced cases.

Contraindications for Silymarin Dosages

Silymarin supplements are generally well tolerated, but some should exercise caution to avoid allergy or unwanted side effects. For instance, silymarin should not be used by individuals allergic to members of the Asteraceae plant family, which includes ragweed, marigolds, daisies and sunflowers.

This supplement is a mild laxative. Other side effects include bloating, diarrhea, indigestion, gas, loss of appetite and nausea.

Women who are pregnant or breast feeding should speak to a doctor before taking silymarin. Diabetics may need to adjust diabetic medication as this supplement may lower blood sugar. Silymarin may affect the human hormone system and should not be taken if you have breast, ovarian or uterine cancer, endometriosis or uterine fibroids.

It should also not be taken with medications that change or break down in the liver, or with anti-seizure medication or statins. Be sure to speak with your doctor to make sure silymarin is right for you and to set a safe silymarin dosage based on your medical history.

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