Milk thistle or doodh patra is a much-revered liver superfood in the world of alternate medicine. Traditionally, the herb has been used to treat a host of liver and gallbladder ailments for thousands of years. Apart from herbal tea, milk thistle can be consumed in the form of capsules, tinctures, oil or powdered supplements.
Silymarin, a compound in milk thistle gets the credit for majority of its benefits considering it is packed with antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.The herbal extract isn’t just beneficial for detoxing the liver, but it can also repair damage done by toxic substances like alcohol and other free radicals.
Thanks to this compound, milk thistle has also gained a reputation of being a liver reviver as it stimulates protein synthesis in hepatocytes, and aids in boosting the liver’s ability to regenerate and heal itself.
Benefits of milk thistle for liver
According to StatPearls online book accessible via the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s NCBI website, milk thistle can help heal the liver in the following way.
1. Protects against liver damage
Milk thistle has silymarin which can play a crucial role in protecting the liver from damage caused by alcohol, medications (like acetaminophen), and environmental toxins by removing free radicals. This can help boost liver health.
2. Reduces liver inflammation
Milk thistle’s anti-inflammatory properties can help lower inflammation associated with liver conditions like alcoholic liver disease, hepatitis, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
3. Liver regeneration
The herb is also well-renowned for its ability to heal the liver. Silymarin stimulates protein synthesis in hepatocytes (liver cells), which supports liver cell repair and can repair overall liver function.
4. Prevents fibrosis and cirrhosis
By inhibiting the transformation of liver cells into myofibroblasts, milk thistle reduces collagen buildup, which can prevent the progression of fibrosis and cirrhosis.
5. Improving insulin resistance
Studies show that silymarin can improve insulin resistance, reduce fasting insulin levels, and support metabolic health, benefiting individuals with fatty liver disease.
How often and how much milk thistle can you have every day?
Health experts say milk thistle can be safely taken up to 700 mg three times per day for up to six months. It is suitable for most people, but can rarely have side effects.
Are there any side effects?
While generally considered safe in recommended doses, milk thistle might not be for everyone as it can occasionally cause mild side effects like bloating, headaches, or allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to the Asteraceae plant family. People on diabetes medication need to be especially careful as milk thistle can cause low sugar levels and turn dangerous. Pregnant women should consult with their healthcare expert before using it as it may not be safe for them.
In all, for most people, milk thistle is safe to consume in limited quantities.
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