Is milk thistle as useful as it is commonly believed
Educational Program Health / / December 28, 2020
Milk thistle (this is the second name for milk thistle) is considered a weed. Quite useful though. In his seedsMilk thistle contains compounds known collectively as "silymarin". It is a combination of flavonoids withFlavonoids as antioxidants powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
What exactly is milk thistle useful for?
Given the ability of flavonoids to resist free radicals and inflammation, milk thistle can be a miracle food. In theory, it can fight aging, infections, chronic inflammation, cardiovascular disease, dementia and even cancer. But in practice, it is too early to talk about this: today there are not many clinical studies of silymarin.
Lifehacker collected those properties7 Science-Based Benefits of Milk Thistle milk thistle, which are scientifically proven. At least in part.
1. Protects and repairs the liver
Milk thistle is best known as a powerful herbal hepatoprotector, a substance that can reduce liver damage caused by disease and toxins. Supplements from plant seeds are prescribed
Silymarin / Silybin and Chronic Liver Disease: A Marriage of Many Years.eto improve the condition with the following diseases:- various hepatitis;
- alcoholic liver disease;
- non-alcoholic fatty liver disease;
- cirrhosis;
- crayfishModulatory effects of silibinin in various cell signaling pathways against liver disorders and cancer - A comprehensive review.
Silymarin also showed goodLegalon® SIL: the antidote of choice in patients with acute hepatotoxicity from amatoxin poisoning itself as an antidote to fly agaric poisoning, which causes acute liver failure.
Scientists suggest that silymarin reduces inflammation and liver damage through its antioxidant properties.
However, not all researchers have been able to detect the hepatoprotective activity of milk thistle. A little more information is needed before mainstream medicine conclusively declares that milk thistle is good for the liver.
2. Slows down aging of the brain
Humanity has known the milk thistle for a long time. Used for 2,000 yearsA Mini Review on the Chemistry and Neuroprotective Effects of Silymarin for the treatment of various neurological diseases, including diseases Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Given the powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities of silymarin, it is possible that it does protectNeuroprotective potential of silymarin against CNS disorders: insight into the pathways and molecular mechanisms of action the brain from stress and aging.
This has already been proven in animal experiments. Silymarin supplementation slows age-related mental decline, for example in ratsEffect of silymarin on biochemical parameters of oxidative stress in aged and young rat brain. And reduceSilymarin attenuated the amyloid β plaque burden and improved behavioral abnormalities in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model symptoms of Alzheimer's disease in laboratory mice.
But it hasn't come to research on humans yet. So it is not clear exactly how much milk thistle should be consumed to protect against dementia.
3. Normalizes blood sugar levels in type II diabetes
The plant compounds in milk thistle act similarlyThe Therapeutic Potential of Milk Thistle in Diabetes certain diabetes medications, helping improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar.
In addition, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of silymarin can reduceSilymarin in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials risk of developing diabetic complications, such as kidney disease.
Despite these findings, research is still lacking to firmly recommend the use of milk thistle for type II diabetes. But they are underway.
4. Strengthens bones
Experimental studies in test tubes and in animals have shown that silymarin stimulatesAntiosteoclastic activity of milk thistle extract after ovariectomy to suppress estrogen deficiency ‑ induced osteoporosis mineralization of bones - they become stronger. It can be helpful for people who are suffering osteoporosis.
5. May increase the production of breast milk
In folk medicine, milk thistle tea is recommended for lactating women as a means to help increase the production of breast milk. And perhaps it really is.
One randomized controlled trial foundClinical efficacy, safety and tolerability of BIO-C (micronized Silymarin) as a galactagogue: Young mothers who took 420 mg of silymarin daily for 63 days produced 64% more milk than those given a placebo.
Unfortunately, this study is the only one. Further evidence is needed to conclusively confirm the effectiveness of milk thistle.
6. Helps Fight Acne
There is an assumptionOxidative stress in acne vulgaristhat one of the leading roles in the formation of acne is played by oxidative stress - damage to skin cells by free radicals. Because milk thistle has potent antioxidant properties, in theory, consuming it could relieve acne.
The theory is confirmed by practice. So, one studyEffects of Oral Antioxidants on Lesion Counts Associated with Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Patients with Papulopustular Acne showed that in people who took 210 mg of silymarin per day for 8 weeks, the amount acne decreased by 53%.
Can milk thistle harm
Milk thistle is safe in most casesMilk Thistle Uses, Benefits & Dosage. This applies to doses up to 420 mg of silymarin per day - large ones have simply not been tested.
However, some people may have individual reactions to the plant.Milk thistle:
- bloating, nausea, diarrhea, or constipation;
- itchy skin;
- headache.
Sometimes more serious consequences are possible. Doctors recommend that the following categories of people refuse to take medications from milk thistle (silymarin):
- Those who suffer from allergies to any plant of the Compositae family: ragweed, chamomile, marigolds, chrysanthemums. In these people, milk thistle can cause an allergic reaction up to anaphylactic shock.
- Women diagnosed with endometriosis, uterine fibroids, breast, uterine or ovarian cancer. There is a suggestion that milk thistle increases estrogen levels, and this can accelerate the development of the disease.
Limited clinical studies show milk thistle is not harmful to expectant mothers and their babies. But for an unambiguous confirmation of security, additional data is still needed. Therefore, stop taking milk thistle medications if you notice any, even minimal, side effect.
People with diabetes should also be careful. Milk thistle can dramatically lower blood sugar levels and lead to hypoglycemia.
Is it worth taking milk thistle and how to do it
Yes, if you do not have any of the above contraindications and side effects and if your doctor does not mind.
You can buy milk thistle in the form pills or capsules, liquid extract, dried crushed fruits or meal - this is the name of the powder from crushed seeds. Each type of packaging has its own amount of silymarin, it is usually indicated on the package.
To get a healing effect, you need to take 200-400 mg of silymarin per day. These are the doses that appearMilk Thistle Uses, Benefits & Dosage in most existing clinical trials.
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