Milk thistle pros and cons

Dear Doctor: What are the pros and cons of taking milk thistle?

Dear Reader: Let’s begin with some background on this purple-flowered plant that most people in this country think of as an invasive weed. It’s a member of the thistle family, so-named for the sharp projections upon the leaves and stems. Although it originated in Europe, milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has made its way to many parts of the world, including the hills of Southern California, where I’ve pricked my legs on it many times while hiking. Nuisance or not, however, the seeds of the plant have been used for medicinal purposes for more than 1,000 years. That’s because they contain silymarin, a mixture of plant chemicals known as flavonolignans.

Milk thistle is often touted as a supplement to protect the liver. Before today’s more effective treatments for hepatitis C, many patients used milk thistle in an attempt to limit liver damage from the virus. Although silymarin has been shown to have antiviral and antioxidant activity, and theoretically could limit tissue and cellular damage caused by the virus, the majority of studies of silymarin and hepatitis C have not been well-controlled.

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A 2014 review combined five randomized controlled trials of milk thistle extracts; three of the studies — involving 216 patients — compared changes in hepatitis C viral loads among people taking either silymarin or a placebo. The review found a slight decrease in the viral loads of people using silymarin, but it was not of statistical significance. Nor did the compiled studies find any changes in the elevation of liver enzymes, a marker of liver inflammation, in people taking silymarin.

Of course, other conditions affect the liver as well, such as alcohol liver disease and fatty liver. Research has shown some improvement with silymarin use in liver markers in both of these conditions, but the studies have been limited.

However, one of the flavonolignans, silybin, may have particular potential in limiting damage to the liver. In one study in mice, the addition of silybin prior to the exposure of toxic mushrooms decreased the chance of severe liver damage. Also, case reports have shown that the administration of silybin extract increased the survival rate among people with death cap mushroom poisoning. Further, the larger compound, silymarin itself, can decrease liver toxicity in mice given high doses of acetaminophen.

The larger compound has also been studied in people with diabetes. The thinking is that its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects could theoretically reduce complications of the disease. And, in fact, preliminary studies in people with diabetes have shown that it does have beneficial effects upon the kidneys, nerves and the retinas.

Silymarin may even have anti-cancer properties, but this needs to be studied further in humans.

As for the side effects of silymarin, they include abdominal discomfort, headache, muscle aches and fatigue. Because the compound acts within the liver, it could theoretically interact with multiple medications metabolized there. Thus far, however, studies of people taking up to 140 milligrams per day of silymarin have not shown significant drug interactions.

In summary, the components of milk thistle supplements do seem to have some beneficial effects. Future studies will need to assess its full benefits, or risks, in those with liver disease, diabetes and cancer.

Send your questions to , or write: Ask the Doctors, c/o Media Relations, UCLA Health, 924 Westwood Blvd., Suite 350, Los Angeles, CA, 90095.

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1. The milk thistle is an upright thistle with leaves that are slightly leathery to the touch. The markings on the leaves are green with white markings in the form of veins and spots. There are yellowish spines on the edge. The stems of this thistle are between 70 centimeters and 150 centimeters long. The head of the plant measures 3-5 centimeters in diameter and has flowers in a reddish purple color. When the thistle has finished flowering, shiny, black seeds with white hairs begin to form.

1. Originally, the milk thistle was found in Southern Europe, North Africa and Southwest Asia. Milk thistle is also found in Australia, but not in the wild. In Australia, milk thistle is grown as an ornamental and medicinal plant.

2. Originally, the milk thistle was found in Southern Europe, North Africa and Southwest Asia. Milk thistle is also found in Australia, but not in the wild. In Australia, milk thistle is cultivated as an ornamental and medicinal plant.

1. It is nice to know how the Milk Thistle got its name: According to tradition, the drawing on the leaves, in the form of veins and spots, is because the drops of milk of the Virgin Mary dripped down the leaves. The plant owes its name to this legend. You can find this not only in Dutch, but also in the Latin generic name: Marianum.

2. It is nice to know how the Milk Thistle got its name: According to tradition, the drawing on the leaves, in the form of veins and spots, is because the drops of milk from the Virgin Mary dripped down the leaves. The plant owes its name to this legend. You can find this not only in Dutch, but also in the Latin generic name: Marianum.

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  Full Milk, whipped cream, macaroon, custard powder, vanilla sugar, sugar, protein, amaretto, almond liqueur, basic recipe cooking pears,

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1. Now it probably wouldn't be our first choice anymore, but in earlier times the milk thistle was grown as a vegetable, where nothing was lost: The leaves hung in the lettuce or were made into a kind of spinach The carrots were boiled and eaten like salsify, and the flower heads were boiled like artichokes. That's efficient use of a vegetable!

1. The use of milk thistle as a medicine dates back many years. More than 2000 years ago, thistle was used to cure obstructions in the liver or to cure jaundice. It has also become a well-known medicine for animals that have eaten the mushroom Amanita Phalloïdes, or the green tuber amolite. This will inevitably lead to the death of the animal, unless it is injected with an extract of the milk thistle within 48 hours. This injection gets the liver cells and liver enzymes going again. In some cases this is also used in hospital when there is a very serious poisoning of mushrooms in humans.

2. The use of milk thistle as a medicine dates back many years. More than 2000 years ago, thistle was used to cure obstructions in the liver or to cure jaundice. It has also become a well-known medicine for animals that have eaten the mushroom Amanita Phalloïdes, or the green tuber amolite. This will inevitably lead to the death of the animal, unless it is injected with an extract of the milk thistle within 48 hours. This injection gets the liver cells and liver enzymes going again. In some cases this is also used in hospital when there is very serious mushroom poisoning in humans.

1. Ok, so much for the background and the nice stories. Ultimately, what can the milk thistle do for us humans?

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The active ingredients in the milk thistle

1. The active ingredients of the milk thistle are actually only contained in the black seeds, so without the fluff. These seeds contain Silymarin, a collective name for very strong substances that in turn is subdivided into the substances Silydianine, Silycristine and Silybine. The latter is most strongly represented in the silymarin of the milk thistle. Besides the Silymarin, there are more substances in the black seeds: Histamine, Tyramine, Essential oil, Bitter substances and Tannin or Tannin.

2. The active ingredients of the milk thistle are actually only contained in the black seeds, so without the fluff. These seeds contain Silymarin, a collective name for very strong substances that is subdivided into the substances Silydianine, Silycristine and Silybine. The latter is most strongly represented in the silymarin of the milk thistle. Besides the Silymarin, there are more substances in the black seeds: Histamine, Tyramine, Essential oil, Bitter substances and Tannin or Tannin.

What is your liver doing?

1. The liver is a very important organ for the body. Of course everything is important, but the liver does have very special functions, including removing toxins from the body. Not unimportant!

1. The skin is your largest organ, but immediately after that comes the liver. It weighs a whopping one and a half kilos and is located directly under the diaphragm, on the right. The liver is protected by the ribs, at least the bottom pair of ribs.

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1. The liver has the exceptional capacity to repair itself and to adapt to the circumstances. If, for whatever reason, the liver has been partially removed, the liver can repair itself by growing back to its full size. We call that regenerative capacity. Part of the liver can also handle extra capacity, if another part of the liver is not functioning optimally. All these fantastic properties also have a drawback: A problem with the liver is often discovered at a very late stage because the liver is able to solve the problems itself first.

1. We have already discussed the liver's ability to remove toxins from the body. Let's list the complete list of features:

1. After the previous list it should be clear that you have to be very careful with your liver, especially considering that problems often come to light (too) late.

The Effects of Milk Thistle on Your Liver

1. But the Silymarin is surely the most important substance. This is able to neutralize all kinds of toxins. Toxins that can affect the liver. Just think of medicines, drugs and alcohol. But the poison from the green tuber amolite is also neutralized by the Silymarin. In addition, the toxins that we ingest from our environment, exhaust fumes, etc. are also tackled.

1. The Silymarin has a very strong and positive effect on your liver, in two ways:

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1. So if the liver is damaged, for example by an excessive use of alcohol which can cause fatty liver or cirrhosis, the damage can be limited if you start using milk thistle. Of course, the milk thistle has the greatest effect if it simultaneously stops damaging the liver, so stop excessive alcohol consumption. Good news for people who hate a hangover, after a night out: It seems that milk thistle can occur with excessive alcohol consumption, so not chronic alcohol use but incidental, headache and hangover. The milk thistle can also prevent fatty liver disease as a result of the intake of anesthetics. Because of the intake of anesthetics, a lot of triglycerides are released into your body, which can lead to fatty liver.

1. Besides the positive effect of milk thistle on the liver, this plant has even more advantages:

The Side Effects of Milk Thistle

1. Milk thistle, like many natural products, has little or no side effects. In some cases, the user may experience stomach upset, with or without diarrhea. If this occurs, it is wise to stop the intake for a number of days. In case of severe reactions of the body, you must immediately notify your doctor!

1. Undesirable side effects can also occur if milk thistle is taken in combination with regular medication. Although no research has been done on this interaction, it is believed in the medical world that the following drugs in combination with milk thistle can cause unwanted reactions and side effects:

Dosage of milk thistle

1. You can take milk thistle in two ways:

The pure seed, so fresh

1. Since the active nutrients in the seed are very slightly soluble in water, brewing milk thistle tea is not such a good idea. It does not contain the maximum of active ingredients. Better to grind the seeds. You can then eat the ground seeds straight away or scatter them over your Cruesli in the morning. Normally you should be able to feel the positive effects within a few weeks, although it may take a little longer for chronic conditions.

As an extract, so as a pill or capsule

1. As a dietary supplement you often find milk thistle in combination with other nutrients or plants such as dandelion. You can often deduce from the product name what it is for: Liver complex. The term â € lipotropic factorsâ € ™ is also often used. Make sure you buy a good quality for the best effect. The dosage of the supplement is 200 mg 3 times a day. extract, which contains about 75% Silymarin. So read the label carefully. Not only for the right quality, but also for the correct dosage of that particular product.

1. Do you have experience with milk thistle? If so, for what? I really appreciate a response!

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What are the cons of taking milk thistle?

Can milk thistle be harmful?

Is milk thistle toxic to the liver?

Is milk thistle okay to take daily?

What are the benefits of taking milk thistle everyday?