Is milk thistle as useful as it is commonly believed?

What exactly is milk thistle useful for?

Given the ability of flavonoids to resist free radicals and inflammation, milk thistle can be a miracle food. In theory, it can fight aging, infections, chronic inflammation, cardiovascular disease, dementia and even cancer. But in practice, it is too early to talk about this: today there are not many clinical studies of silymarin.

Lifehacker has compiled the 7 Science-Based Benefits of Milk Thistle that are scientifically proven. At least in part.

1. Protects and repairs the liver

Milk thistle is best known as a powerful herbal hepatoprotector, a substance that can reduce liver damage caused by disease and toxins. Plant seed supplements are prescribed Silymarin / Silybin and Chronic Liver Disease: A Marriage of Many Years.e to improve the condition in the following conditions:

various hepatitis;
alcoholic liver disease;
non-alcoholic fatty liver disease;
cirrhosis;
cancer Modulatory effects of silibinin in various cell signaling pathways against liver disorders and cancer - A comprehensive review.

Silymarin also showed a good performance in Legalon® SIL: the antidote of choice in patients with acute hepatotoxicity from amatoxin poisoning itself as an antidote for poisoning with fly agarics, which cause acute liver failure.

Scientists speculate that silymarin reduces inflammation and liver damage through its antioxidant properties.

However, not all researchers have been able to detect the hepatoprotective activity of milk thistle. A little more information is needed before mainstream medicine finally declares that milk thistle is good for the liver.

2. Slows down the aging of the brain

Humanity has been familiar with the milk thistle for a long time. For 2,000 years, it has been used by the A Mini Review on the Chemistry and Neuroprotective Effects of Silymarin to treat a variety of neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Given the powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities of silymarin, it is possible that it really protects the brain's Neuroprotective potential of silymarin against CNS disorders: insight into the pathways and molecular mechanisms of action against stress and aging.

This has already been proven in animal experiments. Silymarin supplementation slows age-related mental decline, for example in rats Effect of silymarin on biochemical parameters of oxidative stress in aged and young rat brain. And Silymarin attenuated the amyloid β plaque burden and improved behavioral abnormalities in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model reduce the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease in laboratory mice.

But it hasn't come to research on humans yet. So it's not clear exactly how much milk thistle should be consumed to protect against dementia.

3. Normalizes blood sugar levels in type II diabetes

The plant compounds in milk thistle work in a similar way to The Therapeutic Potential of Milk Thistle in Diabetes to certain diabetes medications, helping to improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar.

In addition, Silymarin in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta ‑ Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials may reduce the risk of developing diabetic complications such as kidney disease.

Despite these findings, research is still lacking to firmly recommend the use of milk thistle for type II diabetes. But they are underway.

4. Strengthens bones

Experimental studies in test tubes and on animals have shown that silymarin stimulates Antiosteoclastic activity of milk thistle extract after ovariectomy to suppress estrogen deficiency ‑ induced osteoporosis bone mineralization - they become stronger. This can be beneficial for people who suffer from osteoporosis.

5. May increase breast milk production

In folk medicine, milk thistle tea is recommended for lactating women as a means to help increase the production of breast milk. And perhaps it really is.

One randomized controlled trial found Clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability of BIO-C (micronized Silymarin) as a galactagogue: young mothers who took 420 mg of silymarin daily for 63 days produced 64% more milk than those given were given a placebo.

Unfortunately, this study is the only one. Further evidence is needed to conclusively confirm the efficacy of milk thistle.

6. Helps deal with acne

There is an assumption, Oxidative stress in acne vulgaris, that one of the leading roles in the formation of acne is played by oxidative stress - damage to skin cells by free radicals. Since milk thistle has powerful antioxidant properties, in theory, its use could relieve acne.

The theory is confirmed by practice. For example, one study on Effects of Oral Antioxidants on Lesion Counts Associated with Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Patients with Papulopustular Acne found that people who took 210 mg of silymarin per day for 8 weeks had a 53% reduction in acne.

Can milk thistle harm

Milk Thistle Uses, Benefits & Dosage is safe in most cases. This applies to doses up to 420 mg of silymarin per day - large ones have simply not been tested.

However, some people may have individual reactions to the Milk thistle plant:

bloating, nausea, diarrhea, or constipation;
itchy skin;
headache.

Sometimes more serious consequences are possible. Doctors recommend that the following categories of people refuse to take medications from milk thistle (silymarin):

For those who suffer from allergies to any plant of the Compositae family: ragweed, chamomile, marigolds, chrysanthemums. In such people, milk thistle can cause an allergic reaction, up to anaphylactic shock.
Women diagnosed with endometriosis, uterine fibroids, breast, uterine or ovarian cancer. There is speculation that milk thistle increases estrogen levels, and this may accelerate the development of the disease.

Limited clinical studies show milk thistle is not harmful to expectant mothers and their babies. But for an unambiguous confirmation of security, additional data is still needed. Therefore, stop taking milk thistle medications if you notice any, even minimal, side effect.

People with diabetes should also be careful. Milk thistle can dramatically lower blood sugar levels and lead to hypoglycemia.

Is it worth taking milk thistle and how to do it

Yes, if you do not have any of the above contraindications and side effects and if your doctor does not mind.

You can buy milk thistle in the form of tablets or capsules, liquid extract, dried crushed fruits or meal - this is the name of the powder made from crushed seeds. Each type of packaging has its own amount of silymarin, it is usually indicated on the package.

To get a healing effect, you need to take 200-400 mg of silymarin per day. It is these doses that Milk Thistle Uses, Benefits & Dosage appear in most of the existing clinical studies.