Milk Thistle & Liver Care

Features

• Milk thistle contains a group of flavonoids, or chemical compounds, collectively called silymarin. In theory, silymarin repairs damaged liver cells, reduces swelling and acts as an antioxidant, protecting new cells from damage.

Effects

• A 2005 study published in the "American Journal of Gastroenterology" indicated that milk thistle extract had no significant effect on patients who had either hepatitis B or C or who suffered from alcoholic liver disease. MayoClinic.com adds that as of 2010, more research is necessary before recommending milk thistle as a treatment for either alcoholic cirrhosis or viral hepatitis. The National Cancer Institute cannot recommend the herb for cancer due to the lack of research.

Considerations

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved milk thistle as a treatment for liver conditions or any other medical problem. Consult a physician before using milk thistle.