If you drink alcohol on a regular basis, you should be taking milk thistle on a regular basis. -Dr. Robert Walton.
Milk thistle (
Silybum marianum) is a
herbaceous annual or
biennial plant native to warm, dry areas in southern
Europe and northern
Africa. The active ingredients of milk thistle are
chemicals called
flavonoids. The flavonoids in milk thistle were identified by
German scientists in 1960 as
silybin,
silydianin, and
silychristin. Together, they are called
silymarin.
Milk Thistle extract has been in use for thousands of years as a remedy for
liver problems, and to protect the liver against damage. It is a powerful
antioxidant and has been seen in recent studies to prevent damage to the liver caused by
alcohol,
hepatitis,
recreational drugs,
acetaminophen,
phenytoin,
phenothiazines (drugs used in the treatment of
schizophrenia),
pesticides and other toxins.
Milk thistle protects the liver by reinforcing the outer
membranes of liver cells, preventing toxins from entering and damaging the cells. Many researchers also say that milk thistle can help
regenerate damaged tissue in the liver: It stimulates the
synthesis of
ribosomal RNA, an important step in cell regeneration.
The standardized extract of milk thistle contains 80%
silymarin, the primary active ingredient. Depending on the concentration of the product you buy, the dosage may range from 80-600mg. It’s recommended this dosage be taken in two portions throughout the day, with
food.
Several types of drugs used to combat the effects of
HIV can damage the
liver. Some
medical professionals advise patients dealing with HIV to take milk thistle to help protect and restore the
liver and
kidneys. Some studies have shown that milk thistle can reduce the effectiveness of some HIV treatment drugs (such as
indinavir) by as much as 9%. It is also suspected that milk thistle can help protect the liver from damage caused by
chemotherapy and
radiation treatments, and help prevent certain types of
cancer.
Some think that milk thistle also aids in
digestion, particularly with fats. It is suspected to stimulate
gall bladder contraction and the flow of
bile. Milk thistle has also been used to stimulate
breast milk production and treat
jaundice, although the effectiveness of the herb in these cases is widely dismissed.
There are no known side effects of milk thistle. Even when taken in large doses the patient exhibits no ill effects. Very rarely new users may experience upset stomach. In these cases it is recommended that the dosage be reduced.
Sources
http://www.organicfood.co.uk/herbs/milkthistle.html
http://alwaysyourchoice.com/ayc/nutrition/herbal/milkThistle.php
http://www.thebody.com/nmai/silymarin.html
http://www.aegis.com/pubs/catie/2002/CATE13003.html
The lab coat clad, glasses wearing Asian Pharmacist at the local Loblaws.