Milk Thistle

STRENGTH: 500 mg
FORM: 60/180 Tablets

Milk thistle is an edible herbaceous plant native to the warm, dry areas in southern Europe, Northern Africa and countries surrounding the Mediterranean. Milk Thistle has been used to treat liver problems for over 2,000 years, and has become very popular in the nutraceutical market as a liver, and overall body tonic. Milk Thistle is a potent antioxidant, and is many times more powerful than vitamins E and C. Antioxidants like Milk Thistle help to scavenge free radicals throughout the body, these are highly reactive molecules that attack and may damage the DNA of healthy cells. This type of damage has been shown to cause premature aging and disease. Milk Thistle is really known as a ‘specific’ for the liver and has been shown to enhance its function. The liver is the body’s second largest organ, which is responsible for detoxifying pollutants and processing nutrients and fats. One of the most beneficial actions of milk thistle is that it prevents the depletion of glutathione, which is a substance that is crucial for the liver’s role in detoxification; it also helps promote the regeneration of new liver cells.

The research that proves milk thistle's efficacy is extensive; it is among the world’s most thoroughly studied and scientifically researched herbs. It is important to understand that today more than ever, it is necessary to protect your liver from all the toxins it is exposed to. We need to comprehend the importance of the liver, how it works and what it does to help us stay healthy. It would not be over stating things if it was said that the liver is one the most over worked organs in the body. It is constantly bombarded by toxins, from every category; so it detoxifies the blood and performs thousands of other vital functions. Milk Thistle (AKA Silymarin) contains active phyto chemicals called (silybinin, isosilybinin, silychristin, and silydianin, etc) that are derived mainly from the seeds. The silymarin’s found in Milk Thistle is known to protect the liver by strengthening the outer membranes of liver cells, which prevents toxins from entering them. Milk Thistle also stimulates protein synthesis in liver cells, which helps to regenerate and repair the liver. Milk Thistle can also help to reduce damage to the liver cells caused by repeated use of some prescription drugs. And it may also protect the liver from alcohol damage such as what is seen in cirrhosis. Another noted benefit is the herb’s ability to reduce inflammation, and may retard skin cell proliferation, a mechanism that can lead to conditions such as psoriasis.

Milk Thistle may also offer help for endometriosis, which is a common reason for infertility in women, as it allows the liver to process estrogen more effectively. Other populations that may benefit most from the supplementation of milk thistle include; athletes looking to improve athletic performance and the ability to increase the production of recuperative protein synthesis. And for those who are just health-conscious individuals, they may find that Milk Thistle improves their health by removing the toxic substances mentioned earlier that are harmful. With the state of today's environment, almost everyone is exposed to pollutants on a daily basis, Milk Thistle functions to protect the liver from harm by detoxifying the body and keeping it safe.

Cycling supplements in an on-again-off-again manner, while using Milk Thistle in between, will ensure liver health and successful systemic performance. More recently, studies using Milk Thistle have shown that it may also be beneficial for reducing the chance of developing certain types of degenerative pathologies. Other studies have shown that milk thistle can be used to treat the worst type’s chronic viral hepatitis. Milk Thistle is so well respected as a therapeutic agent that many health care practitioners around the world prescribe Milk Thistle to treat a variety of problems. Many of these health problems you might not normally connect ‘by thought’ to liver health include poor digestion, female hormonal problems, constipation, mood disorders, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries), and skin conditions such as psoriasis and even acne.

Many of the healing properties that milk thistle offers coincide with its ability to help the liver function at a higher level. It is very safe to take long term, with almost no known side effects! And since the liver metabolizes hormones, foods and other nutrients it would make sense that if the organ was working correctly, the above medical problems may not occur! There isn’t any doubt that literally everyone can benefit from supplementing with milk thistle! †

REFERENCES:

1. Nassuato G, Iemmolo RM, Strazzabosco M, et al. Effect of silybinin on biliary lipid composition. Experimental and clinical study. J Hepatol 1991; 12:290-5.
2. Sonnenbichler J, Zetl I. Stimulating influence of a flavonolignan derivative on proliferation, RNA synthesis and protein synthesis in liver cells. In Assessment and Management of Hepatobiliary Disease, ed. L Okolicsanyi, G Csomos, G Crepaldi. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1987, 265-72.
3. Wagner H, Horhammer L, Munster R. The chemistry of silymarin (silybin), the active principle of the fruits of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. Arzneim-Forsch Drug Res 1968;18:688-96.
4. Feher J, Lang I, Deak G, et al. Free radicals in tissue damage in liver diseases and therapeutic approach. Tokai J Exp Clin Med 1986; 11:121-34.