Milk Thistle and Liver Health:
The active antioxidant compound within milk thistle is the flavonoid complex called Silymarin. (2) This anti-oxidant is one of the most powerful liver detoxifying agents. It helps to boost glutathione and superoxide dismutase which are two the bodies master super anti-oxidants. One study found that silymarin increased glutathione content in the intestines and liver by up to 50%. Boosting glutathione helps protect the intestines from inflammatory damage that leads to ulcers and colitis.
Milk thistle guards the liver’s numerous hepatic cell membranes and slows the rate at which toxins can be absorbed into the liver. Research has shown that silymarin enhances protein synthesis to enhance liver cell regeneration and counteract the effects of poisons on the liver. It has been used to treat alcoholic hepatitis, alcoholic fatty liver, cirrhosis-liver poisoning and viral hepatitis.
Milk Thistle as a Demulcent:
Milk Thistle is a demulcent that improves the health of the bodies mucous membranes. This reduces inflammation within the skin cells, sinus and respiratory tract and kidney and bladder wall lining. (3) It also reduces inflammatory stress in the bile duct and inhibits the formation of gallstones. This improves the functionality of the gallbladder and allows for complete bile release.
Milk Thistle also helps soften and improve the moisturization of the skin, This is especially helpful for individuals with acne and eczema and other skin impurities. It has also been shown to improve the overall glow and radiance of the skin quality. (4)
My Favorite Milk Thistle Product:
The milk thistle product I use has profound effects on the liver, kidneys, intestines and the thyroid. The liver is responsible for the majority of the conversion of inactive thyroid hormone (T4) to active thyroid hormone (T3). Without this conversion, the cells of the body are unable to utilize the thyroid hormone that is secreted. If someone has a congested liver they will have poor T4-T3 conversion and develop hypothyroid symptoms.
Thyro-Liver Protect combines a high dosage of milk thistle (262.5 mg per serving), plus 200 mg of glutathione boosting agents in N-Acetyl Cysteine and Alpha Lipoic Acid. It also has 100 mg of L-selenomethionine which has been shown to reduce anti-body formation in the body. Check out this product here