Milk thistle benefits your liver health by preventing the formation of scars. Learn how it works and know about the different milk thistle products. It includes those with phytosomes and artichokes for added liver support.
Milk thistle benefits date back to ancient Greece. A medical practitioner Dioscorides recognized its healing power in 40-90 AD. In 1597, botanist John Gerard called it the “best remedy against melancholy diseases.”
And now, modern research shows that milk thistle might help people with many health conditions. One of its potent actions is called antifibrotic or anti-scarring. Learn about how this action benefits your body:
- Antifibrotic action
- Benefits of antifibrosis
- Sources of milk thistle
Why Do Milk Thistle Benefits Include Antifibrotic Action?
Milk thistle is also known as silymarin, with its potent compound silybin. It has a lot of mechanisms that impact your body, like anti-fibrotic action. For example, it prevents fiber tissue formation, thickening, or scarring.
Scientists claim that silybin can help prevent liver scarring. It happens when someone has liver disease. They found that silybin reduces cell growth and movement, which can cause scarring in human liver cells.
Additionally, silybin also helps reduce procollagen protein which can lead to scarring. Silybin could also prevent inflammation that causes liver damage. Studies on animals and humans have shown that silybin can prevent this condition.
What is Milk Thistle Good for as an Antifibrotic?
Hepatic fibrogenesis, or liver scarring, happens when people suffer liver damage. Silymarin has been shown to reduce the buildup of collagen by 35% in rats with liver cirrhosis. A study aimed to find out how it works.
Researchers gave silymarin to rats with bile duct blockages. They also measured the levels of specific genes involved in scarring. After six weeks, the rats with blocked bile ducts had high levels of these genes. It decreased by 40-60% with silymarin therapy. Silymarin may work by reducing the activity of genes that cause scarring in the liver.
Experts believe that milk thistle benefits people with alcoholic liver disease. To better understand, researchers studied the effects of silymarin on 12 alcohol-fed baboons for three years.
They found that silymarin prevented alcohol-induced oxidative stress, which harms the liver. Silymarin protects the liver from damage and scarring. In contrast, baboons that didn’t receive silymarin showed signs of liver damage and scarring.
The results suggest that silymarin can protect against alcohol-induced liver problems. But future studies should ensure that people take enough silymarin for maximum benefits.
Potential Milk Thistle Benefits For People With Liver Problems
Earlier studies have shown milk thistle protects animals from liver damage. But it needs to be clarified how it works in people. So, a study looked at how silybin affects human liver cells in a lab.
Silybin can slow down or stop the growth and movement of cells that contribute to scarring. Moreover, it also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It makes milk thistle a helpful therapy for chronic liver problems.
Other scientists have made a special silybin by adding vitamin E and phospholipids. They tested it on 85 people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and chronic hepatitis.
The silybin with vitamin E and phospholipids group had less liver damage and better liver function. It suggests that silybin could be helpful for people with liver damage. It also works when used alongside other nutrients.
Overall, milk thistle benefits the liver with its antifibrotic action. However, first seek advice from your healthcare provider before using silymarin supplements.
Where Can You Get Milk Thistle?
Milk thistles, like daisies, sunflowers, and chrysanthemums, belong to the Asteraceae family. It’s native to Mediterranean areas of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. But it has also been introduced in other parts like North America.
Health shops offer them as silymarin capsules and tablets. Since there are many products, pick the ones with phytosomes. Phytosomes are a special kind of delivery system for herbs.
They are made by mixing plant extracts with special fats called phospholipids. It helps your body absorb the herbal extract better. It also makes the substance more effective. Phytosomes have many benefits, like improved stability and higher absorption rates. They also allow for lower doses.
Some products also contain other nutrients and herbs for added milk thistle benefits. For example, milk thistle can be combined with artichoke. These two herbs can prevent and ease liver injuries and other chronic diseases. Artichoke also promotes gut health and digestion.
Researchers found that infusions of both herbs contained good sources of bioactive mixtures. It includes phenolic acids and flavonoids, which are great for your health.
Finally, make sure to pick a product free from gluten and GMOs. Speak with your healthcare provider should you consider taking your chosen product.
Final Thoughts
Milk thistle benefits people as a natural remedy for liver problems. One of the most crucial abilities is preventing fibrotic tissue formation due to liver problems.
For easy absorption, you can get milk thistles in capsules and tablets with phytosomes. Some products also contain herbs like artichoke, which work well with milk thistle as liver support.
If you have liver problems, talk to your healthcare provider before using milk thistle supplements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does milk thistle work as an antifibrotic?
Milk thistle benefits your liver with its anti-scarring action. Scientists found that it reduces cell growth, movement, and inflammation. As a result, it can help prevent liver scarring caused by liver problems.
What is milk thistle good for?
Milk thistle benefits people who have liver problems. Examples are liver cirrhosis, alcoholic liver disease, chronic hepatitis, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Scientists continue studying milk thistle as a potential therapy for other chronic diseases.
Which milk thistle is best?
Choose those with phytosomes, a unique delivery system that helps the body absorb herbal extracts better. Also, milk thistle benefits your liver health by combining it with herbs like artichokes. Both contain flavonoids and phenolic acids that keep your cells healthy.
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