The effects of milk thistle—what is it good for?

Milk thistle may be useful in treating liver disease and diabetes. However, the evidence is limited and some research methods are flawed, making it difficult to confirm these effects.

Milk thistle is an herb derived from the milk thistle plant, also known as Silybum marianum.

This thorny plant has distinctive purple flowers and white veins, which traditional stories say were caused by drops of the Virgin Mary's milk falling onto its leaves.

The active ingredients in milk thistle are a group of plant compounds known as silymarin.

Its herb is known as milk thistle extract. Milk thistle extract contains a large amount (65–80%) of silymarin, concentrated from the milk thistle plant.

Silymarin extracted from milk thistle is known to have antioxidant, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties.

In fact, it has traditionally been used to treat liver and gallbladder disorders and to promote breast milk production.

Here are 7 scientifically proven benefits of milk thistle.

1. Milk thistle protects the liver

Milk thistle is often promoted for its liver-protective effects.

It is regularly used as a complementary therapy for patients with liver damage caused by conditions such as alcoholic liver disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and hepatitis.

It is also used to protect the liver against toxins such as amatoxin, which is produced by the death cap mushroom and is fatal if ingested.

Studies have shown improved liver function in people with liver disease who took milk thistle supplements, suggesting that it may help reduce liver inflammation and damage.

Although more research is needed on how it works, milk thistle is thought to reduce liver damage caused by free radicals, which are produced when the liver metabolizes toxic substances.

One study also found that it may slightly extend the life expectancy of people with cirrhosis caused by alcoholic liver disease.

However, the results of the studies were mixed, and not everyone found milk thistle extract beneficial for liver diseases.

Therefore, further studies are needed to determine what dosage and treatment duration are necessary for certain liver diseases.

Although milk thistle extract is generally used as an adjunctive therapy for people with liver disease, there is currently no evidence that it can prevent these conditions from developing, especially if you follow an unhealthy lifestyle.

Summary Milk thistle extract may help protect the liver from damage caused by disease or poisoning, although further research is needed.

2. It may help prevent age-related decline in brain function

Milk thistle has been used as a traditional remedy for more than 2,000 years to treat neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties mean that it is likely neuroprotective and may help prevent the decline in brain function that occurs with aging.

Test-tube and animal studies have shown that silymarin prevents oxidative damage to brain cells, which may help prevent mental decline.

These studies also showed that milk thistle may reduce the number of amyloid plaques in the brains of animals with Alzheimer's disease.

Amyloid plaques are sticky clusters of amyloid proteins that can accumulate between nerve cells as we age.

They are found in very large numbers in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease, which means that milk thistle could potentially help treat this difficult condition.

However, there are currently no human studies examining the effects of milk thistle in people with Alzheimer's disease or other neurological conditions, such as dementia and Parkinson's disease.

Furthermore, it is unclear whether milk thistle is absorbed well enough in humans to cross the blood-brain barrier in sufficient amounts. It is also unknown what doses should be prescribed to produce a beneficial effect.

Summary Initial test-tube and animal studies have shown that milk thistle has some promising properties that may make it useful for protecting brain function. However, it is currently unclear whether it has the same beneficial effects in humans.

3. Milk thistle may protect your bones

Osteoporosis is a disease caused by progressive bone loss.

It generally develops slowly over several years and causes weak, brittle bones that can easily break even after minor falls.

Test-tube and animal studies have shown that milk thistle stimulates bone mineralization and may potentially protect against bone loss.

As a result, researchers suggest that milk thistle may be a useful therapy for preventing or delaying bone loss in postmenopausal women.

However, there are currently no human studies, so its effectiveness remains unclear.

Summary Milk thistle has been shown to stimulate bone mineralization in animals. However, its effects in humans are currently unknown.

4. It Increases Breast Milk Production

One reported effect of milk thistle is that it may increase breast milk production in breastfeeding mothers. It is thought to work by increasing production of the milk-producing hormone prolactin.

The data are very limited, but a randomized controlled trial found that mothers who took 420 mg of silymarin for 63 days produced 64% more milk than those who received a placebo.

However, this is the only available clinical trial. Further research is needed to confirm these results and the safety of milk thistle for breastfeeding mothers.

Summary Milk thistle may increase breast milk production in breastfeeding women, although very little research has been conducted to confirm its effect.

5. It May Help Treat Acne

Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin condition. Although it is not dangerous, it can cause scarring. People may also find it painful and worry about its effect on their appearance.

Oxidative stress in the body is thought to play a role in the development of acne.

Because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, milk thistle may be a useful supplement for people with acne.

Interestingly, one study showed that people with acne who took 210 milligrams of silymarin daily for 8 weeks reduced their acne lesions by 53%.

However, since this is the only study, more high-quality research is needed.

Summary One study showed that people who consumed milk thistle supplements had a reduction in the number of acne lesions on their bodies.

6. Milk Thistle May Lower Blood Sugar Levels in People with Diabetes

Milk thistle may be a useful complementary therapy for treating type 2 diabetes.

It was discovered that one compound found in milk thistle may work similarly to some diabetes medications by improving insulin sensitivity and lowering blood sugar levels.

In fact, a recent review and analysis found that people who regularly took silymarin had significantly reduced fasting blood sugar and HbA1c, a measure of blood sugar control.

Additionally, milk thistle's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may also be useful in reducing the risk of developing diabetic complications, such as kidney disease.

However, this review also noted that the quality of the studies was not very high, so further studies are needed before firm recommendations can be made.

Summary Milk thistle may help lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, although more high-quality studies are needed.

Is milk thistle safe?

Milk thistle is generally considered safe when taken orally.

In fact, in studies where high doses were used for long periods, only about 1% of people experienced side effects.

When reported, milk thistle side effects have generally consisted of gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, nausea, or bloating.

Some people should exercise caution when taking milk thistle. These include:

• Pregnant women: There is no data on its safety in pregnant women, so they are generally advised to avoid this supplement.
• People allergic to the plant: Milk thistle may cause an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to plants in the Asteraceae/Compositae family.
• People with diabetes: Because milk thistle may lower blood sugar, people with diabetes may be at risk of low blood sugar.
• People with certain conditions: Milk thistle may have estrogenic effects, which could worsen hormone-sensitive conditions

Summary Milk thistle is generally considered safe. Nevertheless, pregnant women, people allergic to plants in the Asteraceae family, people with diabetes, and anyone else with an estrogen-sensitive condition should consult a doctor before taking it.

Milk thistle is a safe dietary supplement that can serve as an adjunctive therapy for various conditions, including liver disease and diabetes.

However, many studies are small and have methodological flaws, making it difficult to provide firm guidance on this supplement or confirm its effects.

Overall, more high-quality research is needed to determine the dosage and clinical effects of this fascinating herb.

Source: www.healthline.com