Exploring the Wellness Benefits of Milk Thistle

Is milk thistle unfamiliar to you? Perhaps you might know it as silymarin or Silybum marianum. This plant is known for its distinctive appearance, featuring spiky purple flowers and typically thriving in dry, sunny environments. If you’re curious about its name, it’s derived from the milky white sap that oozes from the plant’s leaves when they’re crushed.^[1]

Due to the widely known health benefits of milk thistle, it’s been used for years by our ancestors. However, most significant benefits of this plant come from its seeds, particularly when they are ripe. The seeds contain silymarin, a powerful mixture of flavonolignans: compounds known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Among these, silybin is considered the most active and potent ingredient in the silymarin extract.

People believe that the health benefits of milk thistle include addressing liver and gallbladder problems. Nowadays, it is also used in supplements for diabetes and indigestion.² Understanding these silymarin benefits can help you appreciate why this plant has been valued in traditional medicine and why it continues to be a popular choice for various health-related purposes today.

Milk Thistle and Liver Health

The first known health benefit of milk thistle is its positive impact on liver health. It fights free radicals to prevent scarring and helps prevent toxins from attaching to the liver.³ There are substances in milk thistle that are reported to protect the liver against certain drugs, such as acetaminophen, which can cause liver damage when taken in excessive and dangerous doses.⁴ Additionally, milk thistle is said to help repair liver cells damaged by alcohol and other toxic substances.⁵ Alongside a balanced diet and limited alcohol intake, milk thistle supplements are often recommended for people experiencing cirrhosis, hepatitis B, and fatty liver.

Milk Thistle as an Antioxidant

Milk thistle also possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.⁶ As an antioxidant, it inhibits free radicals produced during the metabolism of toxic substances like ethanol, acetaminophen, and carbon tetrachloride. It protects cell membranes from free radical-induced damage and directly inhibits free radical formation. For its anti-inflammatory properties, it regulates cytokines, which are responsible for inducing inflammation.

Moreover, if you’re into intense exercise routines, the increased aerobic metabolism can be a potential source of oxidative stress. Fortunately, milk thistle supplementation is said to offer protection against exercise-induced oxidative stress.⁷

Milk Thistle and Diabetes Management

In addition to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, milk thistle also exhibits antidiabetic effects and is said to reduce potential diabetes complications. It helps improve diabetic conditions by reducing insulin resistance.⁸ Additionally, it is reported to help lower blood sugar or blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes⁹ without causing weight gain or liver complications.¹⁰

Milk Thistle and Heart Health

As previously mentioned, milk thistle positively affects liver function and blood sugar levels. Additionally, it is also said to have cardioprotective properties, offering protection against potential cardiovascular diseases.

The oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) or "bad" cholesterol contributes to the development of atherosclerosis, which is the thickening and hardening of arteries due to plaque buildup in their inner lining.¹¹ Milk thistle is known to promote the reduction of LDL oxidation. Additionally, it can help increase high-density lipoproteins (HDL) or "good" cholesterol.

In addition to affecting total cholesterol levels, it can also significantly decrease blood pressure.¹²

Milk Thistle: Dosage and Safety

Milk thistle is usually administered orally in the form of capsules, tablets, and liquid extracts in doses generally ranging from 250mg to 750mg.¹³ Since milk thistle is well tolerated by most people, it is considered safe to consume up to 700mg two to three times a day. This regimen can be followed for a duration of up to 24 weeks, which is approximately six (6) months.¹⁴

Common side effects of milk thistle can vary, but typically include headache, nausea, and vomiting. Occasionally, individuals may also experience digestive issues such as an upset stomach, diarrhea¹⁵, or constipation.¹⁶ Some people might also have allergic reactions, particularly if they are already allergic to plants in the same family, such as chrysanthemums, daisies¹⁷, and sunflowers.¹⁸ Dermatological symptoms, like hives and rashes, may also occur.¹⁹ These symptoms are generally only mild and temporary, and are usually manageable and often resolve on their own as the body adjusts to the supplement.

Since milk thistle can potentially interact with various herbs, supplements, and medications that you might already be using, it is highly advisable to incorporate it into your regimen only under the careful supervision of a healthcare professional. This precaution is essential to ensure that the addition of milk thistle does not interfere with the effectiveness of other treatments you are currently receiving or worsen any existing health conditions.

Additionally, exercising caution is strongly recommended if you are pregnant, as the safety of milk thistle during pregnancy is not yet well-established due to the limited number of studies available on this particular topic. Although milk thistle has been widely used for its potential health benefits, the effects it may have on pregnant women and their developing babies are not yet fully understood. Given these complexities, it is crucial to approach the use of any supplement during pregnancy with caution and informed guidance from healthcare professionals.

Remember, being proactive is about making thoughtful and informed decisions rather than acting impulsively. By seeking professional guidance and adhering to medical advice, you can confidently navigate your health journey, optimize the benefits of supplementation and medication, and ultimately support your long-term well-being.

Nature’s Bounty^® Milk Thistle Extract, which naturally contains silymarin, actively promotes the health benefits we've explored, such as enhancing liver and heart function, as well as aiding in diabetes management.²⁰

For more than 50 years, people have trusted Nature’s Bounty^® products to support their wellness needs. Their commitment to excellence and scientific research has resulted in effective vitamin and nutritional supplements designed to meet your needs. By combining advanced nutritional science with the highest quality ingredients, Nature’s Bounty^® proudly provides supplements that offer exceptional quality and value.