Continuous Daily Intake of Milk Thistle & Health Effects

Milk thistle has been used for two thousand years as a solution to many ailments, especially liver complaints. During the early twentieth century, physicians in the United States employed milk thistle seeds to cure conditions of the liver, spleen and kidneys. Milk thistle has also been used successfully to reverse the effects of mushroom poisoning. A chemical compound in the seeds of milk thistle plants is thought to be the biologically active element that yields health benefits.

Liver Conditions

• Consistent intake of milk thistle is cited by herbal websites such as Skye Herbals as an effective means of treating liver cirrhosis. The dried fruit of milk thistle herbs contain a complex falconoid called silymarin. Supporters claim silymarin helps lower the body's enzyme levels, which speeds up the liver's ability to detoxify the body. The 2010 study listed on the U.S. National Library of Medicine website examined the effects of daily milk thistle usage on children suffering from leukemia and associated toxicity of the liver. The conclusions drawn were that milk thistle has no adverse effects when combined with chemotherapy treatments. Milk thistle was also associated with a movement towards a significant decrease in liver toxicity.

  As reported on the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) website, laboratory studies have also shown that daily intake of milk thistle may protect and promote liver cell growth and improve hepatitis C. The use of milk thistle may also inhibit inflammation and fight against the process of oxidization, which is a chemical process that harms healthy liver cells.

Considerations

• The findings of studies into the effects of milk thistle intake on liver cirrhosis have not been consistent. A research summary on the National Cancer Institute website found no compelling evidence that continuous intake of milk thistle could benefit sufferers of liver cirrhosis. The New York Times states that the nature of the studies themselves are often at fault. Studies were often poorly designed or had severe methodology issues, so a true assessment of the benefits of milk thistle could not be gained. The NCCAM also states that the designs of the research studies into hepatitis C were often not rigorous enough to yield authentic results. Although some studies yielded a reduction in the symptoms associated with hepatitis C liver disease, there were no significant alternations in virus activity or liver inflammation.

Additional Uses

• The Web MD website reports that the daily use of milk thistle, combined with traditional treatment, can improve the symptoms of diabetes by improving blood sugar levels and reducing cholesterol. According to the Web MD website, research has also shown that daily intake of milk thistle resulted in healthier levels of insulin. There have also been suggestions that milk thistle can aid with the symptoms of prostate cancer, breast cancer and heart conditions, but little research has been carried out into these areas.

Side Effects

• Anyone taking milk thistle should not take it in conjunction with any other medication. Milk thistle can react with traditional medication and lead to symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea and bloating. Milk thistle intake may also be dangerous for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Anyone taking milk thistle long-term should also consult his doctor to ensure a strict dosage pattern is observed. Research is still ongoing as to the long-terms effects of milk thistle, so it should be taken with precaution and stopped altogether if adverse side effects occur.