Milk Thistle is commonly found growing wild along roadsides. The Latin name of milk thistle is Silybum Marianum. The seeds of the dried flower are used. Milk Thistle's active ingredient is a flavonoid called silymarin, an antioxidant said to protect liver cells from toxins. Sylimarin apparently promotes liver cell protein synthesis and decreases the oxidation of glutathione. Studies show silymarin, silibinin, and other flavonoids found in milk thistle may benefit a number of conditions including alcoholic cirrhosis and tumors. Many compounds in milk thistle, for instance silibinin, have shown potent anti- prostate and anti-lung cancer activity.
Helps detoxify the liver of poisons such as alcohol
Stimulates bile production for improved digestion
Supports the liver’s ability to regenerate damaged tissue
Helps break down fats in foods (for improved cholesterol levels)
Provides antioxidants to combat the accumulation of free radicals
May aid in natural stress reduction
Assists in reducing inflammation of the liver and gallbladder
No significant side effects reported even with extended use
The herb also helps manage symptoms from various ailments believed to be related to poor liver function. Impaired liver function, if ignored, can worsen conditions such as arthritis, eczema, headaches, and PMS. Furthermore, research has indicated the Silymarin in Milk Thistle Seed is a potent antioxidant and possesses the ability to stabilize cellular membranes. Silymarin (a flavonoid complex) is also credited with the liver-tissue regenerative power of Milk Thistle Seed.
A number of studies suggest Milk Thistle Seed supports optimal liver function. For example, Milk Thistle Seed’s can promote the liver’s ability to regenerate new tissue after damage occurs. Milk Thistle Seed even shows promise in stimulating the liver to produce additional bile for improved digestive function.
IN THE NEWS...
Milk thistle compound may protect against liver cancer... 15/11/2007 - A flavanone compound in milk thistle, silibinin, may stop the growth and spread of liver cancer, suggests a laboratory study from the University of California, Irvine.The in vitro study used human liver cancer cells exposed to different doses of silibinin, and found that the milk thistle compound could inhibit the spread of the cells and promote programmed cell death (apoptosis).
MORE
Milk thistle and liver disease...
PORTLAND, OREGON. Extracts from milk thistle (Silybum marianum) have been used in herbal medicine for 2000 years. Pliney The Elder (AD 23-79) reported that a mixture of the plant's juice and honey was excellent for "carrying off bile". Since then many scientists have lauded milk thistle's ability to treat liver disease. Since 1969 milk thistle extracts have become very popular and now account for sales of $160 million a year in Germany alone. Researchers at the Oregon Health Sciences University recently released a major report reviewing the scientific papers dealing with silymarin, the active ingredient in milk thistle extracts. A standard silymarin extract contains 70 per cent silymarin which in itself is a mixture of flavonolignans, silydianin, silychristine, and silybin. Silybin is believed to be the most biologically active component and is rapidly absorbed into the blood stream and bile after an oral dose. Silybin acts as an antioxidant, decreases the activity of tumor promoters, and acts as a mild chelator of iron. Studies have shown that silymarin is beneficial in the treatment of acute viral hepatitis and some toxin and drug-induced forms of hepatitis. There are also reports that silymarin is effective in the treatment of alcoholic liver disease and chronic hepatitis. Therapeutic dosages range from 140 mg twice a day to 560 mg/day for periods from six months to six years. No adverse side effects of silymarin have been documented and the researchers conclude that well-designed, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies should be carried out to further investigate silymarin's benefits in the treatment of a variety of diseases.Flora, Kenneth, et al. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) for the therapy of liver disease. American Journal of Gastroenterology, Vol. 93, February 1998, pp. 139- 43
TRY...
Orthomolecular Formulations - LIVER DETOX
Product Description:
Ingredients in this formula are designed to aid the detoxification process while protecting the integrity of liver cells.
Christopher Wiechert, C.N.C.
Christopher Wiechert's Healthblogger is for educational or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment for any condition. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a health care professional. If you decide to use this information on your own, it's your constitutional right, but I assume no responsibility.
Please visit our websites:
Christopher Wiechert's HealthBlogger
Do a key word search on cwiechert.com or Christopher Wiechert's HealthBlogger...http://www.cwiechert.com/contactus.html
Click here if you would like to subscribe to our free HealthBlogger News Letter. Write... add me to your list on the subject line.
E-Mail: cww@cwiechert.com
