Milk Thistle

[Seaver]

Has anyone used Milk Thistle for slightly elevated enzymes, and, if so, did it lower them?  I've read and heard that Milk Thistle is very good for liver function, and, can protect and possibly even help the liver "regenerate", especially if the problem is "fatty liver."  Anyone know or have experience with Milk Thistle?  Thanks.

[franke566]

I forgot to tell you after you go to mayo clinic review of milk thistle you go to the site that says Milk Thistle and under that it has Mayo Clinic and it does give a web address


www.mayoclinic.com/health/silymarin/NS-patient-milkthistle/ I tried it and can't get there  so it is easier to just do it like I said.

[franke566]

Hey Magnum, How are you?  Here is what you are missing.  Go to: Mayo Clinic Review of Milk Thistle.  I believe you can get there by just going to Mayo.com but just in case you can't do what I said.  In the left hand column you will find Background
                                                                                                     Synonyms
                                                                                                     evidence
                                                                                                     dosing
                                                                                                     safety
                                                                                                     Methodology
Under evidence you will read what I said it says. Frank

[Magnum]

Just went to the Mayo site and under Drugs and Supplements, it does not say what you mentioned. It just gives a general description, ending with "Although numerous human trials have been published, most studies have not been well designed or reported".

Maybe I'm missing something?

Magnum

[franke566]

bill1028-I'm going to the site now. Hope it is near me. Thanks

[franke566]

Hi Seaver, I asked my Hepatologist about Milk Thistle and in my case he said no.  The same question I asked of my 1st Hepatologist and he said no.  One of them told me it has not been properly researched but it appears to help alcoholic inflamation of the liver and does at first blush help with various hepatic problems but is not recommended for Viral Hepatitis.  I just went to the Mayo Clinic website and under Milk Thistle I went to evidence and it does say about what my Hepatologist said.
Also in rare cases one can have an allergic reaction.  as jusjames said numerous studies have been done but from what I researched they were not well planned and were mostly commercial.  Good luck

[Bill1028]

This is a NIH funded trial that is currently still recruiting.  Some locations are now taking people with cirrhosis to fill the vacancies.  I also heard they may expand the length to 5 years.  If you near any of the hospitals, you get free milk thistle and blood tests.  I don't understand why people don't take advantage of this.

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00680407?term=milk+thistle+nash&rank=2

[jusjames]

it has never been proven , despite numerous studies
it is thought to alter alt figures rather than actually reduce inflammation, it is a good placebo if nothing else.

[Magnum]

I've been using it for years. In Europe, they've been using it for many years. My Gastro said it can't harm you but wether or not it's a real benefit is left to opinions....

Magnum