Naturalis 21
Health effects of silymarin
The liver is the main detoxifying organ — a kind of "purifier" that breaks down everything harmful or dangerous to the body. It also serves many other functions essential for the health of the whole body.
However, hectic lifestyle, stress, unhealthy food, lack of sleep and of course smoking, alcohol, antibiotics and other drugs — all of this weakens or destroys our liver.
Naturalis 21
Active substances
Milk thistle supports detoxification, calms inflammation and improves antioxidant processes. The main active substance is the flavonolignan silybin. Other flavonoids include taxifolin, quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin, naringin.
Naturalis 21
Effects on health
Based on more than 70 clinical studies on humans, animals and cell tissues.
Liver protection
Silymarin has by far the greatest impact on liver health. It increases glutathione, fights inflammation and liver scarring, helps with fatty liver, cirrhosis, mononucleosis, detoxes alcohol, drugs, toxins and environmental poisons, and regenerates liver tissue.
Strong antioxidant
In a clinical study of 40 people, silymarin significantly improved the body's ability to fight oxidative processes by raising key molecules and enzymes (glutathione etc.).
Alcohol, drugs, poisons, radiation
Whatever enters the body passes through the liver. Silymarin reduces oxidative liver damage and risk of inflammation due to alcohol, drugs and environmental poisons.
Hepatitis (C and B)
Analysis of more than 1,000 hepatitis C and B cases confirmed silymarin reduced deaths from poor liver function. It prevents the virus from entering and multiplying in liver cells.
Autoimmune diseases
Silymarin binds to estrogen receptors in white blood cells, reducing autoimmune response and inflammatory cytokines.
Anti-infective
Silybin blocks influenza viruses and shows effects against highly resistant bacteria (staphylococcus aureus, e.coli) in cell-tissue studies.
Brain protection
In mouse experiments with brain infections, silybin reduced brain damage and inflammation. It improved learning and prevented memory damage.
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's
Silybin improves Parkinson's symptoms and stroke aftermath by neutralizing brain free radicals. It reduces toxicity of proteins triggering Alzheimer's.
OCD
In a clinical study of 35 OCD patients, milk-thistle extract at 600 mg/day worked as well as standard fluoxetine over 8 weeks.
Diabetes
60 people with diabetes and alcoholic liver damage received 600 mg silymarin daily. Insulin resistance and oxidative stress improved over 1 year.
Metabolic syndrome
In a study of 136 obese type-2 diabetics, silymarin with berberine over 6 months improved insulin resistance, raised HDL, lowered LDL.
Heart protection
Silymarin protects the heart by lowering blood fats and protects the heart muscle through beneficial mitochondrial processes.
Cancer
Silymarin shows promising results in cancer treatment. It increases apoptosis of cancer cells and prevents spreading to other tissues.
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy
Silymarin cream prevented skin damage from radiotherapy in over 100 breast-cancer patients.
Bone strength
Mouse studies showed much better fracture healing and increased bone density. May help with osteoporosis.
Red blood cells
Silymarin neutralized free radicals in red blood cells by raising glutathione, prolonging their life.
Heartburn and digestion
Three studies confirmed positive effects of an over-the-counter silymarin product (Iberogast) on indigestion and heartburn.
Hangover
Because of its positive effect on liver condition, milk thistle is often used during/after alcohol consumption as hangover prevention.
Wound healing
In animal experiments, silymarin accelerates skin regeneration and reduces inflammation.
Prostate
Silymarin with selenium in a clinical study of 55 men improved urine flow and reduced full-bladder feeling.