Milk Thistle Supplements

Milk thistle is a plant that grows in Europe, Asia, North and South America, Australia and South Australia. Sometimes, the herb is referred to Mary thistle or holy thistle. Typically, the seeds from the dried fruit of the milk thistle plant are what is used to produce supplements. Your body can benefit from milk thistle for a multitude of reasons, and knowing both when and how much to take is just as important as the plant extract itself. Believed to have antioxidant properties, silymarin, the active ingredient extracted from the plant's seeds, is thought to assist in lowering blood pressure in those living with diabetes, improve symptoms of indigestion, and aid in liver issues such as cirrhosis and hepatitis C. Available at CVS, milk thistle can come as an oral capsule, liquid, or tablet.

Scientific research has found a beneficial compound in milk thistle called silymarin marianum. Silymarin acts as an antioxidant. These reactive particles found in ultraviolet energy and environmental pollution damage body cells and help to drive the aging process. Due to its antioxidant potential, milk thistle may be taken to promote healthy aging or general health and well-being. Some milk thistle supplements are standardized for silymarin. This means that they contain a set amount of silymarin per serving.

People may choose to take milk thistle for a number of reasons. Often, milk thistle is used to promote liver health, as a small number of studies have shown that silymarin may protect liver cells. Doctors may recommend silymarin to patients with liver problems, such as hepatitis or cirrhosis. In addition, milk thistle is sometimes taken to reduce the risk of gallstones or for blood sugar control by people with diabetes.

Milk thistle is mainly used to help treat liver problems and promote liver health. Some people claim that taking milk thistle may help to lower cholesterol and help manage type 2 diabetes. The main ingredient, silymarin, is both an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.

At this time, there is not enough scientific evidence to prove that milk thistle supplements are effective for addressing any specific medical condition. The herb does have the potential to cause side effects, trigger allergic reactions and interact with medications. To ensure your safety, it is important that you talk to your health care provider before adding a milk thistle supplement to your diet. A medical professional can recommend the right dosage for you. Unless otherwise directed by your medical provider, you should use whatever supplement you purchase in the manner recommended by the manufacturers' directions.

The effectiveness of the supplement milk thistle will not be instantaneous, but could yield beneficial results if taken on a regular basis for a matter of weeks. While you might crave immediate changes in your body, you may have to adjust both the dosage and the supplements taken in conjunction with your milk thistle to experience noticeable changes. Following the instructions on your milk thistle supplements is a great jumping off point for setting up your daily intake, and many people will recommend ingesting your added plant extract 30 minutes prior to a meal. Monitoring your body's results, it may take 2 weeks to 3 months with regular supplementation of your milk thistle of choice before taking effect.