Milk Thistle Benefits Your Liver Significantly

Milk thistle benefits are numerous, and it has been used to treat a variety of health conditions.  Most important is its role in strengthening and detoxifying the liver.

A member of the sunflower flower, its black seeds are harvested for medicinal use.  The active ingredient within these seeds is called silymarin, which is where the therapeutic benefits lie. 

One of the main benefits is its antioxidant ability, which is more potent than most vitamins. Antioxidants are able to remove toxic chemicals called free radicals from the body.  These free radicals cause cell damage which is the root of disease and premature aging.

Perhaps the most important milk thistle benefits are its effects on the liver.  The liver is one of the most important organs in the body, breaking down nutrients and cleaning the body out.  Milk thistle detoxifies the liver as well as protects it against damage from toxins, alcohol and other negative effects.

It also benefits the liver by promoting regeneration and repair of liver cells, reversing liver damage and is very helpful in the treatment of hepatitis and cirrhosis.

Some milk thistle clinical trials show that benefits may include reducing inflammation, decreasing excessive skin cell growth and helping treat endometriosis.

Are there any milk thistle dangers?

There are very few known side effects of milk thistle so you probably don't have to worry about milk thistle dangers if you take recommended dosages.

There have been reports of upset stomach and slight laxative effects. If you have liver disease you should take added precaution.  Milk thistle and most other herbs are not recommended for pregnant or nursing mothers.

As with all health supplements, make sure you consult a physician or qualified medical professional before taking any milk thistle supplements.

Finding a high quality milk thistle supplement

Since all health and dietary supplements are not regulated, you have to make sure you are getting a high quality supplement in order to reap the health benefits.

Following are a few tips:

1. Look for a supplement that is formulated by a company that follows strict GMP compliance.  These are the same rigorous standards that the pharmaceutical companies must comply with. 

2. The supplement should be pure and fresh, sourced directly by the manufacturer from growers.

3. The way the milk thistle is processed is key to its ability to provide the health benefits it should.  Milling, blending and packaging all need to be carefully and precisely performed to ensure a high quality product.

You can find some really good milk thistle supplements from Jarrow Formulas, Nature's Bounty and other well-regarded natural health companies on Amazon.

Take a look through the product ingredients to make sure they contain pure extract.  You'll find 150mg up to about 1000mg capsules, so it's a matter of determining which dosage works best for you.  You can also read the many reviews that the top products have to help you make a decision.

Milk thistle benefits may be able to improve your health.  Be sure to find a quality product and consult a physician before you start supplementation.

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