The liver is the largest internal organ in the body. It has many metabolic functions that are essential for health. Eating a good diet is important to ensure that liver cells remain healthy and able to perform their functions. In addition, certain supplements may help support healthy liver function. These include milk thistle, an herb recommended by practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine as a liver tonic and as a treatment for many liver disorders. Consult a doctor before adding milk thistle to your regimen to determine if it is a good choice for you.
Liver Functions
The liver carries out many critical functions. It manufactures important proteins such as albumin, a blood component, and clotting factors that help control bleeding. It also removes waste products of digestion, toxins, hormones, alcohol and some drugs from the blood. Liver cells also make bile, a substance that is necessary for digestion of fats. Finally, liver cells store nutrients and release them when needed for energy. If any one of these activities is compromised, the health of your entire body may be in jeopardy.
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle has been a part of herbal medicine for over 2,000 years and is most often used to treat liver problems. The plant grows naturally in the Mediterranean region in dry, sunny areas. The active ingredient in milk thistle is called silymarin, which can be purified most easily from the seeds. According to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, or MSKCC, silymarin is actually a mixture of three chemically distinct compounds which act as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents.
Effects on Liver Cells
MSKCC states that milk thistle protects liver cells by stabilizing their cellular membranes. This prevents compounds such as toxins or other dangerous compounds from entering the cells. It may also stimulate production of components needed for cell division, supporting regeneration of new liver cells. The website also indicates that compounds in milk thistle may protect against liver cancer by preventing malignant cells from growing and spreading. MayoClinic.com lists milk thistle as useful for protecting the liver from cirrhosis and improving liver function in patients with chronic liver disease.
Dosage
Milk thistle is available from health food stores as a powdered dried herb prepared in capsule form. Each capsule generally contains 120mg to 140mg of the active ingredient silymarin. Purified silymarin extract is also available in capsule form or as a tincture. The usual adult dose is 280mg to 450mg of silymarin daily, divided into two or three doses.
Precautions
Milk thistle is generally considered safe and free of serious side effects. However, it may cause mild gastric upset or diarrhea. Some people are also allergic to the herb and may develop a rash. Milk thistle may interact with some prescription drugs, including some that act on the nervous system, allergy drugs, cholesterol-reducing drugs or blood thinners. Discuss with your doctor whether taking milk thistle is an appropriate choice for you.
