What is milk thistle extract good for?
Milk thistle has been used in herbal medicine for centuries as a remedy for a plethora of health conditions, although only in modern times are we beginning to understand the mechanisms behind it. The active ingredient in milk thistle is a group of compounds called silymarin, and milk thistle extract contains a concentrated amount of silymarin.
Role in liver health
Silymarin is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and it is the liver that most of the milk thistle research is aimed at, which is why the extract is so often sold for liver health. People who live with alcoholic liver disease, fatty liver disease, liver cancer or hepatitis for example, often use milk thistle extract alongside their therapy.
Studies have looked at milk thistle extract in people with liver damage, with reported changes in liver function and inflammation, and it also appears in the research on life expectancy in people with cirrhosis of the liver.
Role in brain health
Aside from liver research, milk thistle has also been studied in cognitive and neurological research, such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
The same anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that work so well to protect the liver also seem to serve a neuroprotective function in the brain, keeping oxidative damage in check, which is why neurological research keeps returning to it.
Animal studies have shown that milk thistle extract can reduce the amount of amyloid plaques in the brain, which are a driver of Alzheimer's disease.
Role in diabetes
Diabetes is another emerging topic of interest in milk thistle research, as recent research shows that one of the compounds in silymarin could have similar effects to some diabetic medications, by improving insulin sensitivity and decreasing blood sugar levels.
For example, a review in 2021 revealed that people who regularly take silymarin experience a significant reduction in their fasting blood sugar levels.
Role in bone health
Milk thistle has also been demonstrated to stimulate bone mineralization in some animal studies, which could help reduce bone loss, especially in people who suffer from conditions such as osteoporosis.
When should I take milk thistle extract?
Milk thistle extract can be taken at any time of day, and can even be consumed on an empty stomach between meals, however it is often taken with a meal, or immediately after a meal, which is the gentler way to take it, especially if you have a sensitive liver.
What else pairs well with milk thistle extract?
Also taken with grape seed extract, for antioxidant activity
Milk thistle extract and grape seed extract seem to reinforce each other's antioxidant properties.Animal studies have revealed that a combination of milk thistle extract and grape seed extract works together to inhibit the spread of cancer cells and tumors in the lungs of rats, a promising result and definitely something to take into account if cancer is of concern.
Also taken with artichoke extract, for digestion and liver health
Artichoke extract is the usual companion to milk thistle extract when the aim is liver health and digestion, and the pair is kept together for exactly that reason.Also taken with schisandra, for liver health and stress
The case for taking schisandra with milk thistle extract rests on liver health and stress, which the pair covers between the two of them.Also taken with TUDCA, for liver health and digestion
TUDCA is kept alongside milk thistle extract because the pair covers liver health and digestion between the two of them.What are natural sources of milk thistle extract?
Few people eat the seeds from which the milk thistle extract is taken, though the young leaves and peeled stalks can be cooked as a spring vegetable and the crushed seed makes a bitter tea, which leaves the seed head gathered for extraction. Silymarin, the group of flavonolignans the capsules standardize, is concentrated from those seeds, and a spoonful of ground seed delivers a small and variable fraction of what a measured extract does.
Who should avoid taking milk thistle extract?
Before taking milk thistle extract supplements, check with your trusted healthcare professional if any of the following apply to you:
- Daisy allergy
Plants in the daisy family
Milk thistle sits in the same plant family as ragweed, chrysanthemum, marigold and daisy, and allergic reactions have been reported in people who react to those plants. If you have a known allergy to any of them, or you have reacted to a herbal tea or supplement before, that is reason enough to skip it.Other less common side effects are mostly digestive in nature, such as bloating, nausea and gas.
Remember to always discuss any vitamins or supplements with your trusted healthcare professional if you are suffering from any health conditions.
Possible side effects of milk thistle extract
Possible side effects from taking milk thistle extract supplements may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Laxative effect
- Bloating
- Allergic reaction
If you are experiencing negative side effects from taking milk thistle extract supplements, stop taking them immediately and reach out to your trusted healthcare professional.
Drug interactions with milk thistle extract
The medicines listed below are the ones most often named in interaction reports for milk thistle extract, but it is by no means a comprehensive list:
- Diabetes medicines
- Hormone therapy
If you are taking any prescription drugs or medication, check with your trusted healthcare professional before taking milk thistle extract supplements.
Can I take milk thistle extract while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Milk thistle is taken for the liver, and no human pregnancy trials exist. To say on the safe side, avoid taking it until further research is done.
Remember to always discuss any vitamins or supplements with your trusted healthcare professional while pregnant or breastfeeding, or while attempting to conceive.
Where should I store milk thistle extract?
For optimal shelf life, it is recommended to keep milk thistle extract supplements stored in the cupboard. Always make sure the bottle or container is tightly closed, and kept away from sources of light, heat and humidity.
Milk thistle extract data sources & further reading
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