How Milk Thistle Benefits Liver Health And Function

A well-conducted study involving 105 subjects who suffered from liver cirrhosis found that silymarin helped to reduce mortality rate by almost 50% (as compared to a placebo). The period in question was an average of 41 months and the study subjects took 420mg of silymarin. [11]

One study which looked at milk thistle‘s benefits on liver cirrhosis (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) found that the herb had positive effects on the disease. The 4-year survival rate of the subjects treated with milk thistle in the double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 170 participants was 58%, as compared to 38% in those treated with a placebo. Another double-blind and placebo-controlled 4-year study involving 172 subjects also revealed improvements in mortality rates with the use of milk thistle. However, while the findings of the former study were statistically significant, the latter study’s results just missed the conventional cut-off. [5]

A double-blind German study involving 116 participants who suffered from alcoholic liver cirrhosis revealed the significant curative effect of milk thistle. In as quickly as 2 weeks, benefits were observed. [3]

One double-blind study showed milk thistle extracts were able to “reduce death due to alcohol-induced cirrhosis of the liver“. [6]

There is, however, conflicting evidence, according to Alan R. Gaby, MD, on whether silymarin is able to improve the survival of persons who have liver cirrhosis. One double-blind study which lasted for about two years revealed marked improvement in survival rates, as did another controlled study which lasted a year and involved subjects with alcoholic liver cirrhosis and diabetes; both studies used 140mg of silymarin thrice per day. On the flip side, another double blind study which utilized 150mg of silymarin thrice per day for two years did not seem to have much effect on the survival rate of alcoholics who had liver cirrhosis. [6]

It is worthwhile to note, however, that the milk thistle has many well-documented benefits on the liver.

Fibrosis

More recent research has also suggested that silymarin helps to stop fibrosis – in persons who suffer from inflammatory liver conditions, fibrosis contributes to the development of liver cirrhosis. [6]

Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Milk Thistle Benefits

In hepatitis B and hepatitis C, the infection damages some liver cells. Liver cells which are infected by the virus could then be replaced by fat or fibrous tissue. Milk thistle helps to prevent this occurrence – flavonoids in silymarin stimulate the production of liver proteins, thus allowing new liver cells to be made and used to replace old, damaged ones. [3]

James F. Balch, MD, and Mark Stengler, ND, describe milk thistle as the “best-studied herb for hepatitis.” They add that this herbal remedy “protects and regenerates liver cells.” [1]

Generally speaking, while milk thistle extract has been found to help viral hepatitis (both acute and chronic), its benefits on hepatitis which is caused by alcohol or toxic chemicals are even more significant. In one particular double-blind study carried out on workers who were exposed to the toxic vapors of xylene and / or toluene for between 5 to 20 years, milk thistle extract was found to reduce liver damage as well as improve other health metrics, for example platelet count, white blood cell count, etc. [9]

There was a placebo-controlled, double blind study which suggested that milk thistle could help people suffering from acute hepatitis. The study involved 57 persons and was conducted over a period of 21 days. [5]

Some studies have revealed that milk thistle could help alleviate the symptoms of chronic viral hepatitis B or C. [5]

Mark Stengler, ND, mentions having placed numerous patients suffering from hepatitis B and C on milk thistle and seeing good results, with elevated liver enzyme levels being reduced or normalized. Further, the patients experienced higher energy levels and even began to look healthier. [11]

Liver Poisoning Antidote

When silibinin is put into the body via intravenous methods, the compound is believed to be an antidote to deathcap mushroom (Amanita phalloides) poisoning. [5]

49 reported cases of deathcap mushroom poisoning which received an injectable form of silibin all recovered, even though help came as late as 36 hours after incident. [11]

There is also research conducted in animals which reveal that milk thistle extracts could protect the liver against numerous other toxic compounds, including toluene and paracetamol overdose. There is one particular animal study which implied that milk thistle could protect the fetus against damage caused by alcohol. [5]

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