Are you considering using milk thistle for a liver detox, but unsure of how long to take it?
Milk thistle has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for liver ailments, and recent research has shown promising results in improving liver function. However, with so many different milk thistle products available on the market, it can be difficult to determine the appropriate dosage and duration of use.
In this article, we’ll explore the recommended length of time to take milk thistle for a liver detox, as well as the benefits and potential risks associated with its use.
So, grab a cup of tea and let’s dive in!
How Long To Take Milk Thistle For Liver Detox?
If you’re wondering how long to take milk thistle for a liver detox, the answer is not set in stone. The duration of use can vary depending on the individual’s health status and the severity of liver damage.
According to traditional use, it’s recommended to take milk thistle every day for at least two weeks to notice any health benefits. However, recent studies have shown that taking milk thistle extract by mouth for up to one year can improve liver function tests.
For those looking to use milk thistle as a natural liver detox, it’s recommended to take 150 milligrams of milk thistle extract, one to three times daily. This high dose can act as a natural liver detox and should be taken for at least two weeks.
For ongoing liver support, a lower dose of 50 to 150 milligrams daily is recommended. It’s important to note that there is no standardized milk thistle dosage at this time, and the amount of active ingredients can vary widely depending on the preparation method and brand.
When purchasing a milk thistle supplement, look for the Traditional Herbal Registration (THR) logo to ensure that the product has been manufactured to a high standard of purity and quality, and has a good concentration of silymarin.
What Is Milk Thistle And How Does It Work?
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a flowering herb that has been used for over 2000 years in traditional medicine for its liver cleansing properties. Milk thistle is native to Europe but can also be found in parts of the United States, Australia, Asia, Africa, and South America.
The potential benefits of milk thistle may be due to silymarin, an active ingredient found in the herb that is said to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Silymarin has been well studied and analyzed, with over 200 clinical studies conducted over the past 30 years.
Milk thistle has been shown to be effective in treating alcoholic-related liver disease (ARLD) and non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD). Excessive alcohol consumption is a common cause of liver damage and disease, particularly alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis. Milk thistle improves liver function and may even increase survival in some patients with ARLD. For NAFLD, one study found that silymarin was more effective than commonly used liver medications metformin and pioglitazone in decreasing blood levels of liver enzymes.
Milk thistle has also been used as an emergency antidote for poisoning by death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides). Animal studies have found that milk thistle extract completely counteracts the toxic effects of the mushroom when given within 10 minutes of ingestion. If given within 24 hours, it significantly reduces the risk of liver damage and death.
Although milk thistle potentially has some anti-cancer effects, findings are mixed. Several large-scale studies have found that milk thistle can improve liver function and reduce the risk of mortality in patients with liver cancer. However, more reliable clinical trials are required to determine its effectiveness as an anti-cancer therapy in humans.
Milk thistle is categorized as a supplement rather than a drug, meaning it’s not subject to the same oversight and quality control from the FDA that standard drugs are. Therefore, it’s important to choose a high-quality product that’s been tested by a trusted third party. When taking milk thistle for liver health or detox purposes, it’s recommended to take it for at least two weeks and adjust the dose depending on individual needs.
Benefits Of Milk Thistle For Liver Health
Milk thistle has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for liver, kidney, and gallbladder problems. The active component of milk thistle, silymarin, has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can protect the liver from toxins and help it repair itself by growing new cells.
Research has shown that milk thistle can be helpful in protecting the liver from damage caused by certain drugs, such as acetaminophen, which can cause liver damage in high doses. It may also be effective in treating cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis caused by alcohol abuse, autoimmune disease, or viruses.
Studies have shown that milk thistle can improve liver function in people with liver diseases, suggesting it could help reduce liver inflammation and liver damage. It’s also been found to be effective at reversing toxicity in the body caused by alcohol consumption, pesticides in our food supply, heavy metals in our water supply, and pollution in the air we breathe.
While more research is needed to determine the specific dose and length of treatment needed for different liver conditions, milk thistle is thought to reduce damage to the liver caused by free radicals, which are produced when your liver metabolizes toxic substances.
Recommended Dosage And Duration Of Use
The recommended dosage of milk thistle can vary depending on the individual’s health status and the purpose of use. For those looking to use milk thistle as a natural liver detox, a daily dose of 150 milligrams of milk thistle extract, taken one to three times daily, is recommended. This high dose can act as a natural liver detox and should be taken for at least two weeks.
For ongoing liver support, a lower dose of 50 to 150 milligrams daily is recommended. It’s important to note that there is no standardized milk thistle dosage at this time, and the amount of active ingredients can vary widely depending on the preparation method and brand.
When purchasing a milk thistle supplement, it’s important to choose a high-quality product that contains at least 70-80% silymarin and ideally mentions the silybin content, which should account for ~40% (the higher, the better). Look for the Traditional Herbal Registration (THR) logo to ensure that the product has been manufactured to a high standard of purity and quality.
It’s generally considered safe to take milk thistle in dosages of up to 420 milligrams per day orally in divided doses for up to 41 months. However, in people with liver disease or viral hepatitis, higher doses may be necessary. The typical silymarin dosage used in most studies was around 420 milligrams per day divided into two or three doses. In people with liver disease, the typical dosage was higher, around 1.3 grams per day of standardized extract for six to eight weeks (divided into three doses during the day). For maintenance, the dose was reduced to 280 milligrams per day.
It’s important to note that milk thistle is not subject to the same oversight and quality control from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as standard drugs are because it’s categorized as a supplement rather than a drug. Therefore, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider before taking milk thistle or any other supplement, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking medications.
Potential Risks And Side Effects Of Milk Thistle
While milk thistle is generally considered safe, there are some potential risks and side effects to be aware of. Milk thistle can trigger allergic reactions in people who are allergic to artichokes, kiwi, ragweed, daisies, marigolds, and chrysanthemums. People with diabetes or endometriosis should also consult with their doctor before using milk thistle.
Although milk thistle has been traditionally used in pregnant and breastfeeding women, its safety is unknown. Therefore, it’s important to check with your doctor before using milk thistle if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
Milk thistle is not recommended for children. While milk thistle seems to have few side effects even when taken for several years, some people may experience nausea, diarrhea, itching, and bloating.
If you take any medicines regularly, it’s important to talk to your doctor before you start using milk thistle. It could interact with many drugs, including some that treat high cholesterol, infections, insomnia, and blood pressure. Since milk thistle may lower blood sugar, people with diabetes should check with their doctor before taking the herb as it may make their blood sugar fall too low.
Other Natural Remedies For Liver Detox
In addition to milk thistle, there are several other natural remedies that can help with liver detox. Dandelion root is a popular option that has a natural diuretic effect, allowing the liver to more quickly eliminate toxins. It also helps to strengthen the immune system, balance blood sugar levels, relieve heartburn, and soothe digestive upset.
Burdock root is another option in the same plant family as dandelions that can help detox your system by cleansing the blood, therefore helping to support liver function. Like milk thistle, both dandelion root and burdock root can be taken in both supplement form or as a detox tea.
Turmeric is another natural remedy that has been shown to have positive effects on liver health. It reduces joint pain, aids in digestion, helps to restore a healthy blood sugar balance, and supports healthy liver tissue and liver metabolism. Currently, researchers are studying turmeric for a variety of health benefits for diseases and conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, depression, osteoarthritis, breast health, prostate health and chronic pain.
Combination liver support supplements are also available that combine many of these key botanicals such as milk thistle seed, dandelion root, beet root and bupleurum root to help detoxify the liver, assist in healthy liver function and also work as an anti-inflammatory. However, it’s important to note that these supplements are not regulated by the FDA and have not been adequately tested in clinical trials. Therefore, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen.
Conclusion: Is Milk Thistle Right For You?
Milk thistle is a natural herb that has been used for centuries to promote liver and gallbladder health. It has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and may help protect the liver from toxins and drugs. While animal studies suggest that milk thistle can be helpful in protecting the liver, results in human studies are mixed.
If you’re considering using milk thistle for a liver detox, it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider first to determine if it’s right for you. Milk thistle is generally considered safe, but it may interact with certain medications or conditions.
