Milk thistle contains compounds that may support skin, liver, and bone health and enhance weight loss & a lot more. It may also be good for helping prevent insulin resistance. However, further research is necessary. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a flowering plant that comes from the same family as the daisy.
Also known as Mary thistle or holy thistle, milk thistle grows in Mediterranean countries and people use it to make natural remedies.
The active ingredient in milk thistle is called silymarin. Doctors mainly use the plant to treat liver problems, but some people claim it can lower cholesterol and help manage type 2 diabetes.
This article explores potential milk thistle benefits and examines whether there is any scientific evidence to support its use. It also looks at how to use milk thistle and whether there are any risks to consider.
Benefits of milk thistle :
The most common use of milk thistle is for liver problems. Some people claim it can help to treat:
-cirrhosis
-jaundice
-hepatitis
-gallbladder disorders
Other potential benefits include protecting heart health by lowering cholesterol levels and helping people manage type 2 diabetes.
We explore the potential health benefits of milk thistle below.
Supports liver health :
A 2016 studyTrusted Source found that milk thistle improved diet-induced liver damage.
However, researchers theorize that it does. The active ingredient in milk thistle, silymarin, acts as an antioxidant by reducing free radical production. Scientists think this creates a detoxifying effect, which is why milk thistle may be beneficial for liver problems.
Promotes skin health :
Milk thistle may help to promote healthy skin. A 2015 study, found that it helped to improve inflammatory skin conditions when applied to the skin.
Researchers also found in another study that milk thistle had antioxidant and anti-aging effects on human skin cells in a laboratory environment. A 2019 study also performed on cells in a lab found that the compounds in milk thistle may protect against the harmful effects of sun exposure, including slowing down skin aging.
Reduces cholesterol :
High cholesterol can lead to problems with heart health and increase a person's chance of stroke. Some research has found that milk thistle can impact blood cholesterol levels.
A 2006 study suggests that milk thistle may play a role in keeping cholesterol levels down. It found that cholesterol levels were lower in people taking milk thistle to treat diabetes than those taking a placebo.
In a 2016 study, researchers fed rats a high-cholesterol diet. They gave some rats silybin (the active compound in milk thistle) at both 300 and 600 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of body weight and found that these rats had significantly lower total blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Supports weight loss :
Initial animal research conducted in 2016 found that silymarin caused weight loss in mice that scientists fed a diet intended to cause weight gain.
This suggests milk thistle may be beneficial for those looking to lose weight.
Reduces insulin resistance :
A 2016 study found milk thistle extract helped to reduce insulin resistance, which is a problem for people with type 2 diabetes. Another 2020 review of research on milk thistle concluded the compound silymarin appears to be a "promising substance" for the treatment of insulin resistance, including in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Improves allergic asthma symptoms :
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease where the immune system overreacts to environmental triggers, leading to inflammation in the airways. The active ingredient in milk thistle may help to reduce inflammation.
Limits the spread of cancer :
Milk thistle may help to stop the spread of certain types of cancer.
Small studies mainly performed on cells in laboratories have found that milk thistle can slow cancer cell and tumor growth and possibly increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH)Trusted Source. Researchers have found benefits for several types of cancer, including:
-prostate cancer
-breast cancer
-cervical cancer
-leukemia
-skin cancer
-colorectal cancer
Several small studies have also found that milk thistle may decrease the side effects of cancer treatments, including radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy.
Supports bone health :
Milk thistle could play an essential role in supporting bone health. A 2013 study found that milk thistle helped to prevent bone loss.
The study looked specifically at bone loss caused by a deficiency in estrogen among rats that had their ovaries removed. It is not yet clear whether milk thistle is equally beneficial for bone loss with a different cause.
Improves cognition :
A 2015 study in worms found that milk thistle increased resistance to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is a potential cause of Alzheimer's disease.
In this way, milk thistle may help improve cognition and treat degenerative conditions that affect the mind.
Supports the immune system :
Milk thistle may help strengthen a person's immune response. It could help the body fight off infection as well as reduce chronic inflammation produced by the immune system.
Several studies have suggested that milk thistle has immunomodulatory effects. Researchers found silymarin stimulated the immune system. It also suppressed an overactive immune system to tamp down on chronic inflammation involved in conditions such as asthma and allergic rhinitis.
What's in the box
1 x Kea Organics - Milk Thistle - 60 Veggie Capsules
Disclaimer
DISCLAIMER: This product may be a complementary medicine and/or not have been evaluated and verified by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority for its quality, safety or intended use. Use of this product is therefore not intended to compensate for diagnosis, treatment, cure, or mitigation of medical conditions and must not substitute the obtaining of medical advice from a registered health professional for any health or health-related conditions.
