Adrenal fatigue is the medical term used to refer to a group of non-specific symptoms such as tiredness and aching muscles. Milk thistle is sometimes recommended for this disorder because of its positive actions on the liver. However, herbal supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration so you should always talk with your doctor before taking any such supplement.
The Adrenal Glands
The adrenal glands, sometimes called suprarenal glands, are situated just above each of your kidneys. The glands manufacture essential hormones, including cortisol and sex hormones. According to MedlinePlus, a medical information resource established by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the adrenal glands can be affected by several disorders, causing them to produce too many or too few hormones.
Adrenal Fatigue
Adrenal fatigue is the medical term used to refer to a group of nonspecific symptoms, such as tiredness and aching muscles and joints, anxiety, disrupted sleep and digestive disorders. According to Dr. Todd B. Nippoldt, it is not a generally accepted medical diagnosis. Those practitioners who do accept adrenal fatigue, claim it is a mild, though debilitating disorder in which chronic stress causes the adrenal glands to function ineffectively.
The Theory
Proponents of the existence of adrenal fatigue claim that chronic stress can lead to a malfunction of the adrenal glands because the glands can no longer keep up with the constant demands that stress places upon them, Nippoldt said. The result is that they can no longer produce the hormones your body needs to feel well, which leaves sufferers feeling fatigued and depressed.
Milk Thistle History
According to the University of Maryland Health Center, milk thistle has been used to treat disease for 2,000 years. Historically, it has been used to treat disorders of the liver and gallbladder and digestive disorders. More recently, it has been used to treat some forms of cancer, liver damage caused by alcoholism and mushroom poisoning.
Milk Thistle and the Adrenal Glands
Milk thistle has been touted as a remedy for liver disorders. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, milk thistle contains a substance called silymarin. Silymarin has antioxidant properties and helps to remove toxins from the liver. For this reason it is often recommended by herbal practitioners for people suffering from hepatitis or those wanting to detoxify the live. It has the ability to help the liver eliminate toxins and might also help the liver grow new, healthy cells. According to Restorative Medicine, silymarin, the active in gradient in milk thistle, can help to reverse insulin resistance. The adrenal glands also play a role in the regulation of insulin, so it is possible that milk thistle might help their performance.
The Evidence
Other than the grouping of symptoms, little medical evidence supports the existence of adrenal fatigue. Existing blood tests do not yield any results of adrenal insufficiency, Nippoldt said. Proponents of the disorder claim that this is because the hormone fluctuations are mild and the blood tests are not sensitive enough.
