Milk Thistle Benefits

Milk Thistle Benefits are considered very important for the protection of the liver and to help the liver regenerate.

Studies have consistently shown the ability of Milk Thistle to aid in the correction of disorders of the liver such as cirrhosis, viral and alcohol-induced hepatitis and fatty infiltration.

Milk Thistle has three active compounds known collectively as Silymarin. These compounds work to remove toxins from the liver, protect the liver from harm, repair damaged cells and stimulate the immune system.

The Benefits of Milk Thistle for Specific Diseases and Conditions

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. In several European studies, patients receiving milk thistle for Hepatitis recovered much faster than those who were given a placebo. Milk Thistle helps stabilize liver function in people with cirrhosis.

Amainita mushrooms are called death caps because there is a high rate of serious illness or death when mistakenly eaten. In several studies using Milk Thistle, the death rate of patients that receiving standard medicine was approximately 40%. In the use of Milk Thistle, either no deaths or the highest percentage in any given study was 13%.

In other studies done, Milk Thistle prevented liver damage associated with antibiotics and antidepressants and other drug induced damage. Research articles written for Cancer Research have reported recently the anticancer effect of the flavonoid antioxidant silymarin, the major part of milk thistle extract, against advanced human prostate.

Milk Thistle Side Effects

Milk thistle is considered to be a very safe supplement with few known side effects. Usual reports such as nausea, upset stomach or diarrhea have been given, but the milk thistle benefits far outweigh the side effects. An added precaution is given if you have problems with your liver.

Always consult your physician when taking any herb or supplement.

More milk thistle benefits are being discovered each day. Along with other popular supplements the benefits of milk thistle are being found to be very important in liver protection. Milk thistle usage is increasing rapidly every year.

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