MILK THISTLE

…supports liver function*

Features & Benefits

• Scavenges free radicals*

• Stimulates liver cell synthesis*

• Interferes with the production of leukotrienes*

• Prevents damaging toxins from entering liver cells*  

Facts about Milk Thistle

Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum)  herb, also commonly known as Marian Thistle, Mary Thistle, and Lady's Thistle, is a member of the Asteacea  family and can be found growing in many regions of the United States, and southern Europe.1

Various parts of the milk thistle plant have been used for thousands of years: as a garnish (added to salads and vegetable dishes); and as a health food, primarily for liver health.* 1  Historically, milk thistle was used for relieving congestion of the liver, kidneys, and spleen, and by pregnant and lactating women to stimulate the production of milk.* 1

Currently, standardized milk thistle seed extract is used to maintain and regain liver health, especially those who consume excessive alcohol according to most,*^{1,2,3,4,5, 6} though not all, 7,8 scientific research. This use was validated by studies using between 200 mg and 420 mg of silymarin per day (usually in three separate doses).

A large body of research has resulted from scientists' curiosity regarding milk thistle's historically reputed clinical actions and benefits. About twenty years ago, German scientists began looking at the chemical properties of the milk thistle fruit and isolated the water-soluble flavonoid complex now known as silymarin, thought to be milk thistle's active constituent. ^1,2,3,9  This silymarin complex is primarily composed of silibinin, silydianin, and silychristin.² Silibinin is the most dynamic constituent of silymarin and is thought responsible for the majority of silymarin's beneficial actions on the liver.*⁶

Silymarin helps protect against the destruction of liver cells and supports liver function in several ways.* Silymarin enhances liver function by acting as a potent antioxidant and helping maintain protective levels of the important antioxidant system such as glutathione, perodoxine and super oxide dismutase^4,12  thereby guarding the liver from free-radical damage.*  Studies conducted on heavy alcohol drinkers confirm that this flavonoid complex works as a free-radical scavenger and as a direct antioxidant to protect liver cells.*4,9,10

Silymarin also supports the synthesis of ribosomal protein in the liver which can stimulate the production of new liver cells.* ^1,2,9 Additionally, in amounts of 210-630 mg  per day, taken in separate doses, silymarin protects against the formation of harmful leukotrienes which are associated with itchy, flaky skin resulting from poor liver function and gallblader function.* ^9,15

Silymarin binds to liver cell membranes, thereby preventing damaging toxins from reaching and adversely affecting the interior of the liver cells.*²  Silymarin works to stabilize cell membranes as well as increases glutathione antioxidant levels, thereby protecting the interior portion of cells from oxidative damage.* ¹⁶

Safety

Standardized milk thistle seed extract is generally free from adverse side effects when taken at the recommended levels of 175 mg, two to three times per day (providing between 280-420 mg silymarin).^1,2,9  Because it supports bile secretion and flow, some people experience a mild laxative effect when supplementing with this herb.9 Although this side effect usually disappears within a few days, adjustments in intake can be made to counteract this action.9 Based on published reasearch, standardized milk thistle does not have contraindications for pregnant or lactating women¹⁵

Ingredient Highlights

Milk thistle seed extract is made by extracting silymarin from the seeds of the dried milk thistle plant. In agreement with current research, Nature's Life Milk Thistle Seed Extract capsules provide 175 mg of milk thistle seed extract standardized to 80% (or 140 mg) silymarin.

References