Milk thistle (Silymarin) is a blooming plant in the daisy family. Milk Thistle (Silymarin) has been used traditionally for 2,000+ years.
What is Milk Thistle?
Found throughout much of the world, milk thistle is valued primarily for its seeds, which have long been used in European folk wellness practices. The seeds supply milk thistle’s most active ingredient, silymarin, a nutrient complex that consists of numerous flavonoid antioxidants, including silibinin. In recent years, silymarin has been studied extensively for its antioxidant properties, which researchers have suggested might be associated with an array of health-supportive properties.**
Milk thistle extract has been most widely investigated for its effects on liver health. Studies have shown that the antioxidants present in silymarin work against harmful free radicals in the liver, thereby exerting a liver-protective effect. Silymarin may also enhance protein synthesis in the liver and stimulate liver cell regeneration. Milk thistle’s inflammation-modulating properties further support overall liver health and function.**
Silymarin has also been researched for its effects on cholesterol balance. As it promotes liver function and helps the liver to process cholesterol, milk thistle benefits cardiovascular health by supporting cholesterol levels that are already within normal range. Further investigations have suggested that milk thistle extract may optimize immune responses, support healthy skin, maintain normal blood sugar levels and support digestive wellness.**
Milk Thistle Supplements
Milk thistle extract is mostly commonly derived from the plant's seeds. Milk thistle supplements are offered in a wide variety of forms, including capsules, tablets and liquids. Some of these supplements may be standardized to supply a guaranteed minimum level of silymarin, milk thistle’s most active ingredient. Milk thistle extract is sometimes combined with dandelion, yellow dock or other herbals in liver-specific support formulas.**
Milk Thistle Supplement Directions for Use
Discuss milk thistle extract with your doctor before beginning any supplementation. No set milk thistle dosage has been established. Supplements typically supply between 150 mg to 1,000 mg of extract per serving.**
