What is Milk Thistle / Silybum marianum? The seeds of the dried flower of the Milk Thistle plant (Silybum marianum), containing the active silymarin complex, including the component silibinin. Milk Thistle: Threefold protection for your liver Of all the herbal supplements you will find for sale on our site, Milk Thistle Extract may be the most intriguing. Milk Thistle protects and rejuvenates the liver in not less than three ways: Milk Thistle is a powerful Antioxidant. Like any bioflavonoid complex, Milk Thistle exerts a powerful anti-oxidant effect. If you need to be reminded of how important anti-oxidants are, please visit our OPC Grape Seed Extract page. Milk Thistle protects your liver. Milk Thistle interrupts enterohepatic recirculation of toxins. The silymarin complex in Milk Thistle puts up an amazing protective "shield" against many liver-harming substances. Milk Thistle may help regenerate your liver. Did you know that your liver is the only organ in your body capable of regeneration? Milk Thistle's silymarin complex actually helps the liver to synthesize new proteins!7 How powerful is Milk Thistle? Silibinin and other components of the silymarin complex in Milk Thistle were first discovered to be beneficial in treating liver diseases in Germany several decades ago. A favorite national pastime in Germany is mushroom collecting, a practice with inherent risks, such as the accidental ingestion of Amanita phalloides - the Death Cap mushroom. Consuming the Death Cap mushroom results in severe, usually deadly, liver damage. In fact, those that survive Death Cap poisoning have been so badly damaged that they most often require liver transplants to continue to live. Fortunately, silymarin binds to the liver cells, preventing the mushroom poisons from binding, and thus blocking their poisonous effect. The silymarin is also able to directly neutralize the poison itself, making it effective even if it is taken after the mushroom poison has been ingested. Ampules of milk thistle extract, for this very reason, are kept on hand in German hospitals where it is administered on an emergency basis for treating otherwise fatal Death Cap poisonings.7 What are Milk Thistle's limitations? Milk Thistle Extract is truly a remarkable substance. According to some studies, it can halt and even reverse early stage liver disease in recovering alcoholics.8,10 If you are someone exposed to chemicals (especially inhalants) on a daily basis, Milk Thistle is for you. Milk thistle has even been shown to be a helpful adjunct in treating Hepatitis B and C.9,11 It can even help people with cirrhosis of the liver to live longer, but it cannot reverse cirrhosis. The best treatment, as always, is prevention through healthful living. How to take Milk Thistle The following pertains to Milk Thistle Extract standardized to 70-80% silymarin content. If you are taking it to address problems of alcohol-related liver problems, Hepatitis, or as an adjunct to the treatment of cirrhosis, use 200mg, 3x/day (total 600mg). You must give it at least 8 weeks before determining its usefulness for you. If you are taking it as a preventative, half as much will suffice. Are there any side-effects with Milk Thistle? No. May cause loose bowels for the first 2-3 days because of gallbladder stimulation, but this will subside2.
