Silymarin protects liver function and is composed of these flavonoids: primarily Silybin and minor amounts of Silydianin and Silychristin.

Description:

• 80% Silymarin
• Dietary Supplement
• Standardized Potency
• Support for Healthy Liver Function

Milk Thistle in Latin is Silybum marianum. This 30:1 concentrate is standardized to contain 80% Silymarin from Milk Thistle seeds.

Milk thistle provides hepatocellular protection by stabilizing hepatic cell membranes. It alter the structure of the outer cell membrane of the hepatocytes in such a way as to prevent the penetration of the liver toxins into interior of the cell. The stimulation effect on nucleolar polymerase A results in an increase in ribosomal protein synthesis, and thus increase the regenerative ability of the liver and the formation of new hepatocytes. Other actions include interruption of enterohepatic recirculation of toxins and regeneration of damaged hepatocytes.

Liver Disease
 
Silymarin provided protection against the toxic effects of long-term treatment with psychotropic drugs (used in mental illness) in a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical study. Silymarin provided liver protection  by reducing blood levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), an indicator of liver damage that increases during long-term treatment with psychotropics. Not surprisingly, the decrease in MDA levels was even greater in the group taking silymarin alone.

Milk Thistle and Kidney Cleasing

Silybin has also been tested in animals for its ability to protect the kidney from damage due to drugs such as the chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin. Results of this research were promising and should be confirmed by clinical studies in humans.

Silybin reduces oxidative damage to kidney cells in vitro. In rats, silybin prevented cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity, but did not prevent cyclosporine-induced glomerular damage except for lipid peroxidation.

Acne and Inflammation

Milk Thistle is also a Demulcent, meaning that it soothes and moistens the mucus membranes, kidney and bladder irritations and inflammations in general.Being a demulcent, it also greatly softens and moistens the skin. Patients with skin problems ranging from acne to severe eczema have reported a clearing of skin impurities, healing of redness and inflammation, a dramatic softening and moistening of dry, cracking skin, and a noticeable glow and radiance to the skin quality.

Silymarin in Diabetes

Improved Liver function leads to improved Diabetes Control. The liver is the first and most important tissue involved with insulin utilization. In secondary diabetes due to liver damage, insulin resistance in particularly pronounced. The reduction in lipid per oxidation produced by silymarin can lead to improved metabolic control and a reduced requirement for endogenous insulin in such patients.

Silymarin and Other Diseases

Blood lipids

silymarin may inhibit hepatic synthesis of cholesterol and reduce blood lipids, as shown in vitro, animal studies, and human trials.

 Milk Thistle and Gall Bladder Disease:

Because Milk Thistle is both a demulcent and it stimulates bile flow, it is a natural for treating a wide array of Gall Bladder diseases and Symptoms. Milk Thistle can calm down an inflamed Gall Bladder while at the same time clearing out any stagnation that might be present. When using Milk Thistle to combat Gall Bladder symptoms, it is important to verify that there are no Gall Stones present which would be too large for the gall bladder to pass. The only way that this can be known is to visit your local physician and get a clearance from them to proceed.

 Deathcap Poisoning

In Amanita mushroom poisoning, silybinin appears to dramatically reduce death rates, which are typically from 30 to 50%, down to less than 10%.13 This mushroom destroys the liver if left untreated. In conditions like this one, it isn't ethical to perform double-blind studies. However, Milk Thistle seems to be so dramatically effective that its value is not disputed.

 Pancreas

As an antioxidant, silymarin can protect the pancreas against certain forms of damage. In a controlled trial of human diabetics, patients experienced decreases in blood glucose and insulin requirements.

 Milk Thistle and The Bowels:

Milk Thistle is a gentle and mild laxative due to its ability to increase bile secretion and flow in the intestinal tract. This herb can have actions ranging from lubrication and softening of the stools to a mild laxative effect, to actually balancing individuals that alternate between diarrhea and constipation. (In patients with stools that alternate between constipation and diarrhea, Oriental Medicine would most likely suspect liver involvement.) This formula has been seen to improve bowel regularity and stool consistency in individuals with this type of alternating presentation. This is due to the astringent nature of the Dandelion Root combined with the softening and moistening nature of the Milk Thistle).