Silymarin for the Liver

There is a new hope today for those people suffering from liver diseases. Also a good food supplement to protect our liver and keep it healthy for any type of liver infections that may enter into our body. This is the Silymarin. Let me explain what Silymarin is.

Silymarin refers to the extract from the seeds of the plant Silybum marianum, also called "milk thistle". It has been used for over 2,000 years. During the Middle Ages the seed of the milk thistle was commonly used to treat liver diseases. It has also been extensively researched in Europe for over 30 years. Studies abroad and in the United States have suggested that Silymarin nutritionally supports healthy liver function. There have been over 300 scientific studies of silymarin that documents:
•Treatment of cirrhosis of the liver caused by alcoholism
•Treatment of chronic hepatitis
•Treatment of poisoning due to eating wild mushrooms
•Helping the liver repair itself
Most of the scientific studies of silymarin were published in Europe.

The active ingredients of milk thistle are chemicals called flavonoids. The flavonoids in milk thistle are silybin, silydianin, and silychristin. Together, they are called silymarin.

Antioxidant effects

Milk thistle prevents toxins from entering the liver by guarding the organ's numerous doorways-the membranes of liver cells. By slowing the rate at which the liver absorbs harmful substances, the toxins are excreted through the kidneys before they can cause liver damage. Much of Milk Thistle's protective effect is due to the flavonoid complex silymarin, which acts as a powerful antioxidant, combining with and thus neutralizing harmful free radicals that result from normal metabolic processes and from the breakdown of toxic substances. At least 10 times as potent as vitamin E, silymarin also helps increase levels of two additional antioxidants, glutathione and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Silymarin may increase glutathione content in the liver and intestines by up to 50 percent. Silymarin also increases the activity of SOD in erythrocytes (red blood cells) and lymphocytes (white blood cells) formed in the lymphatic tissue in patients with liver disease. Because silymarin is a potent antioxidant in the stomach and intestines, it may also have a role to play in treating inflammatory conditions such as colitis and ulcers.
When damage has already been done, Milk Thistle aids the liver in repairing injured cells and generating new ones. It does this by stimulating protein synthesis through the enzyme RNA polymerase I. Silymarin also protects the liver by acting as an antioxidant and by promoting the growth of new liver cells. It appears to help keep harmful substances out of liver cells. Milk thistle can also help prevent or reverse liver damage caused by alcohol, recreational drugs, pesticides, some poisons, or hepatitis. Milk thistle's regenerative ability is essential for treating serious conditions such as chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and toxic fatty deposits in the liver.

Of the many compounds that make up the silymarin complex, silybin and silychristin are the two most potent ones. Unfortunately, these compounds are relatively poorly absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract. Some studies suggest an absorption rate of just 20 to 50 percent, which explains why it is so important to take standardized Milk Thistle extracts to ensure high concentrations of the active ingredients.

Other Diseases that can be Treated by Silymarin:

1. May inhibit hepatic synthesis of cholesterol and reduce blood lipids.

2. It is a natural for treating a wide array of Gall Bladder diseases and Symptoms. It can calm down an inflamed Gall Bladder while at the same time clearing out any stagnation that might be present. (It is important to verify that there are no Gall Stones present which would be too large for the gall bladder to pass; visit your local physician and get a clearance from them to proceed)

3. It dramatically reduce death rates, which are typically from 30 to 50%, down to less than 10%.13 in Amanita mushroom poisoning This mushroom destroys the liver if left untreated.

4. It 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.

5. It 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. 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).

Side Effects:

There are no clearly documented serious side effects of milk thistle. Even very high doses do not seem to have any negative effects. However, some people get an upset stomach, diarrhea, bloating, or more gas when they start using silymarin. If this happens, cut back on your dosage and then increase it slowly. A few people have allergic reactions to milk thistle. This is more common for people who have an allergy to another plant in the same family, like ragweed.