How Well Can Milk Thistle Protect The Liver?
You may be interested in milk thistle as a method of protecting your liver against everyday toxin exposures. However, much of the research tests milk thistle against even more serious toxic threats. One of these is the treatment of tuberculosis, which involves harsh antibiotics. Up to one-third of people treated for tuberculosis develop drug-induced liver injury (DILI), a problem that can be anything from barely noticeable to liver failure. Thankfully, a review of clinical studies found that silymarin, the major active phytochemical in milk thistle, can cut the risk of liver damage by 67%. Milk thistle’s antioxidant properties are one mechanism behind this ability, as liver cells are protected from the oxidative stress caused by toxins.
In a lab study, milk thistle was also found to protect the liver against cisplatin, a drug used in chemotherapy for cancer. Treatment two hours after cisplatin exposure provided only partial protection, but using it two hours before cisplatin was much more effective. What this means for you is that prevention is best. Don’t wait until after a toxic exposure to take milk thistle, or don’t wait until you have an illness linked to environmental toxins. If you’re concerned about your liver health, any time is the best time to start taking it.