Some descriptionGoals: Protects Liver, Brain Function, Heart Health, Antioxidant Properties, Diabetes Management, Cholesterol Regulation, Post-workout
History: Milk thistle is an ancient plant, tracing back to North Africa and the Mediterranean. It has a rich historical background and earned its botanical name, Silybum marianum, from the white marbling on its leaves. Herbalists during the Middle Ages believed its sap and white veins symbolised the Virgin Mary's milk. Its extracts were used as early as the 4th century B.C., became a favored medicine for hepatobiliary diseases in the 16th century, and experienced a revival in central Europe in the late 1960s.
Daily Intake: most people do best consuming between 20–300 milligrams daily. If you're taking milk thistle for the liver, the recommended daily intake of milk thistle is 150-200 milligrams.
Supplementation: Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is often promoted for its liver-protecting effects. It’s used as a complementary therapy for liver conditions such as alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatitis, and liver cancer. Studies suggest improvements in liver function, reduced inflammation, and liver damage. Although results have been mixed, it may extend life expectancy in cirrhosis patients due to alcoholic liver disease. It has been used traditionally for neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Its antioxidant properties may help prevent age-related cognitive decline. Antioxidants, fatty acids, and silybin in milk thistle extract regulate insulin levels and maintain stable blood sugar levels. High concentrations of beneficial fatty acids and omega-3s in milk thistle support heart health. Omega-3s balance cholesterol levels, preventing atherosclerosis. It is anti-inflammatory and helps lower cholesterol levels. It cleanses the blood and prevents oxidative stress.