Milk Thistle and Liver Detox


Milk Thistle is a type of flowering plant having sharp pointed prickles on the margins. This plant is taxonomically placed in the family Asteraceae. Milk Thistle is native to Mediterranean parts of Europe, Middle East and the North America. The medicinal use of Milk Thistle has been in practice for more than 2000 years, primarily for the treatment of liver and gall bladder diseases. The biologically active component of Milk Thistle is a flavonoid compound, scientifically named as Silymarin. The seed extract is a mixture of various medicinal compounds, 60-70% of which is a combination of diastereomers of silybin.

Liver is the primary organ for metabolism. Most of the enzymes and hormones required for digestion and other metabolic processes is either synthesized in the liver tissues or stored in the liver parenchyma. Therefore, liver faces most damage from the toxins that we use to intake through our food and from environment. Our body has its own process of neutralizing these toxins. When the system fails or become overpowered by the assault of the toxins, they start piling up inside the liver tissues. These toxins are the root cause of many diseases like cirrhosis, fatty liver, hepatitis, carcinoma of the liver and gall bladder stone.

The active ingredient of Milk Thistle, Silymarin, is a potent inhibitor of P-Glycoprotein mediated cellular efflux. Inhibition of P-Glycoprotein results into reduced absorption of foods and medicines that need this protein substrate. Silymarin also inhibit Cytochrome P450 enzyme. Therefore, production of many toxins becomes less evident. Silymarin helps to keep the new liver cells from being damaged by the toxins. It also decreases the inflammation in patients of hepatitis. It is also a powerful antioxidant.

A study conducted for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services concluded that there is strong proof of legitimate therapeutic advantages of Silymarin. In European countries, extract of Milk Thistle or Silymarin is regularly prescribed for the patients having long standing medicines that is known to cause liver damage (like paracetamol). It is now frequently recommended in the patients having viral hepatitis or any chronic liver disease. Liver damage caused by long term alcohol abuse can be treated with Milk Thistle extract (Silymarin) also.

In some study reports, it is mentioned that patients having small gall bladder stone (2-5 mm in diameter) can be medicinally cured if Silymarin is taken for 3-5 months. However, there is no fool proof evidence of this claim.

Milk Thistle can be a potent ingredient for liver detox. Although the extent of the medicinal benefits of Milk Thistle is yet to be discovered, it has already become a strong element in any liver detox program.



 


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Liver Detox
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Milk Thistle and Liver Detox
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Home Liver Cleanse
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