Several scientific studies suggest that substances in milk thistle (especially a flavonoid called silymarin) protect the liver from toxins, including certain medications, such as paracetamol (Tylenol), which can cause liver damage at high doses. Silymarin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, researchers theorize that yes. The active ingredient in milk thistle, silymarin, acts as an antioxidant by reducing the production of free radicals.
Scientists believe that this creates a detoxifying effect, so milk thistle may be beneficial for liver problems. Several small studies also found that milk thistle can reduce the side effects of cancer treatments, such as radiation, surgery and chemotherapy. The researchers also found that milk thistle improved insulin resistance, a key part of type 2 diabetes. Since milk thistle is a supplement, the FDA doesn't regulate it in the same way it regulates it medications.
The medical community needs more studies before it can safely conclude that milk thistle promotes bone health in humans. There is some evidence that milk thistle can treat cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis, which can be caused by alcohol abuse, autoimmune diseases or viruses. Finally, keep in mind that while many holistic professionals recommend milk thistle for dogs to help promote liver health, it's best to talk to your veterinarian before starting to take supplements to protect your furry friends. Some research has found that milk thistle can affect blood cholesterol levels, although it is not conclusive.
The researchers also discovered in another study that milk thistle had antioxidant and anti-aging effects on human skin cells in a laboratory environment. You can also grow your own milk thistle and prepare homemade tea if you want to harvest the plants. It would be important to conduct a systematic review of this evidence to clarify what is known and to identify gaps in knowledge to guide the design of future studies on milk thistle mechanisms and clinical trials. The silymarin found in milk thistle may also protect against the depletion of glutathione, which is a “master antioxidant” that is extremely useful to help prevent disease formation.
Preliminary selection criteria for efficacy were reports of liver disease and clinical and physiological results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in humans in which milk thistle was compared to a placebo, without milk thistle or other active agent. Milk thistle tea is said to protect the liver, stimulate breast milk production and lower blood sugar levels. Summary: A study has shown that people who take milk thistle supplements experience a decrease in the number of acne lesions on their body. In fact, the seeds can also be eaten completely raw, but generally people prefer to take a milk thistle extract or supplement to consume a higher dosage and get better results.
As a result, researchers suggest that milk thistle may be a useful therapy for preventing or delaying bone loss in postmenopausal women (24, 2).
