Does Milk Thistle Lower The Enzymes In The Liver?

Milk thistle, also known as silymarin, has been used for centuries as an herbal remedy for liver problems. It has been found to have a greater effect on liver enzymes than other extracts, making it a potential intervention to improve liver enzyme levels in surgical personnel. Studies have shown that silymarin may help ease inflammation and promote liver health. However, it has not been implicated in causing liver injury and is still used widely as a liver tonic in patients with acute and chronic liver diseases. Most studies show that milk thistle improves liver function and increases survival in people with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis. It can also help prevent elevation of liver enzymes, which can be a side effect of the medication. Milk thistle also benefits for fatty liver disease by reducing insulin resistance and liver enzymes. Studies confirm that milk thistle can protect liver function, prevent liver damage, and normalize elevated liver enzyme levels. A 2021 study showed improvements in liver function in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease who have taken a milk thistle supplement, suggesting it may be beneficial for liver health.

Is 1000 mg of milk thistle a day too much?

Can you take milk thistle every day?. Researchers say milk thistle is well tolerated by most people. And they suggest taking up to 700 mg of milk thistle three times per day for 24 weeks has been shown to be safe.

Side effects are usually mild and may include symptoms like headaches, nausea and other stomach discomforts. Also, people with allergies to plants like ragweed, daisies, marigolds and chrysanthemums may have an allergic reaction to milk weed.

Studies haven’t yet shown many negative or dangerous effects. But it’s always best to talk with a healthcare provider before starting any kind of supplement or herbal remedy, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding or have been diagnosed with a chronic condition.

Alternatives to milk thistle supplements. Czerwony points out that the biggest benefits from milk thistle appear to be based on its status as an antioxidant. But antioxidants are abundant in natural foods. So, it’s likely that you can get similar effects by eating nutrient-rich foods, rather than relying on milk thistle teas and pills.

Can liver recover from high ALT?

About one-third of people with elevated liver enzymes will have normal liver enzyme levels after two to four weeks. If your liver enzymes stay high, your provider may order more blood tests, or imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT scan or MRI. They may also refer you to a liver specialist (hepatologist).

What does it mean to have elevated liver enzymes?. If you have high levels of liver enzymes in your blood, you have elevated liver enzymes. High liver enzyme levels may be temporary, or they may be a sign of a medical condition like hepatitis or liver disease. Certain medications can also cause elevated liver enzymes.

What are liver enzymes?. Liver enzymes are proteins that speed up chemical reactions in your body. These chemical reactions include producing bile and substances that help your blood clot, breaking down food and toxins, and fighting infection. Common liver enzymes include:

• Alkaline phosphatase (ALP).
• Alanine transaminase (ALT).
• Aspartate transaminase (AST).
• Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT).

How much milk thistle should I take to lower liver enzymes?

• Although there is no standardized milk thistle dosage at this time, most people do best consuming between 20–300 milligrams daily.
• If you’re taking milk thistle for the liver, the recommended daily intake of milk thistle is 150 milligrams, taken one to three times daily. This is a somewhat high dose that can act as a natural liver detox.
• For ongoing use and liver support, take 50 to 150 milligrams daily.

Look for a high-quality product that’s between 50–150 milligrams of pure milk thistle extract per capsule so you can adjust the amount you are taking depending on your needs.

If you’re wondering what supplement is best, make sure to look for a company that sells a highly potent extract labeled at least 80 percent pure milk thistle extract.

How long does it take for milk thistle to help the liver?

Swelling (inflammation) of the liver (hepatitis). Research on the effects of milk thistle in people with hepatitis is not consistent. Some research shows that taking milk thistle extract by mouth for 4 weeks reduces hepatitis symptoms, such as dark urine and jaundice, but does not improve liver function tests.

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a plant native to Europe that was brought to North America by early colonists. It seems to help lower blood sugar.

Milk thistle is now found throughout the eastern United States, California, South America, Africa, Australia, and Asia. Its seed might protect liver cells from toxic chemicals and drugs. It may also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

People commonly take milk thistle by mouth for diabetes. It is also commonly used for liver disorders, including liver damage caused by alcohol, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, cirrhosis of the liver, chronic hepatitis, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these other uses.

Can milk thistle reduce ALT levels?

In this meta-analysis, the results indicated a reduction of 0. 26 IU/mL (95%CI: -0. 46-0. 07, P = 0. 007) at the level of ALT and 0. 53 IU/mL (95%CI: -0. 74-0. 32, P = 0. 000) at the serum levels of AST after using the silymarin, both, statistically significant, but with no clinical relevance.

AIM. To evaluate the effect of silymarin on the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (γGT) in patients with liver diseases.

METHODS. A systematic review with meta-analysis of ramdomized and controlled clinical trials was performed, evaluating the effects of sylimarin in patients with hepatic diseases, published by January 31, 2016. Clinical trials were sought on the basis of The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials in the Cochrane Library, PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Lilacs and Clinical Trials. The trials with adult and elderly patients of both sexes, with Liver Diseases who took oral silymarin supplementation, as extract or isolated, as well as Silymarin combined with other nutrients, were included. The trials should provide information about the intervention, such as dosages and detailing of the product used, besides the mean and standard deviation of serum levels of ALT, AST and γGT of the baseline and at the end of the intervention.

CONCLUSION. Silymarin minimally reduced, but without clinical relevance, the serum levels of ALT and AST. It is necessary to carry out studies with more appropriate methodological designs.

What is the fastest way to lower liver enzymes?

However, the following steps can help reduce ALT levels successfully:Reducing daily alcohol intake: … Consuming more caffeine: … Switching to natural and organic foods: … Consuming more fruits and vegetables: … Increasing intake of dietary fiber: … Exercising regularly: … Weight reduction: … Quitting smoking:

Here are 9 tips to successfully lower ALT levels over time. Find out about the ALT blood test and how to lower liver enzymes.

There are no “quick” ways to decrease alanine transaminase (ALT) levels in the body.

However, the following steps can help reduce ALT levels successfully:

Does milk thistle repair the liver?

Silymarin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. And it may help the liver repair itself by growing new cells. Although a number of animal studies demonstrate that milk thistle can be helpful in protecting the liver, results in human studies are mixed.

Agarwal R, Agarwal C, Ichikawa H, Singh RP, Aggarwal BB. Anticancer potential of silymarin: from bench to bed side. Anticancer Res. 2006;26(6B):4457-4498. Review.

Asghar Z, Masood Z. Evaluation of antioxidant properties of silymarin and its potential to inhibit peroxyl radicals in vitro. Pak J Pharm Sci. 2008;21:249-254.

Barve A, Khan R, Marsano L, Ravindra KV, McClain C. Treatment of alcoholic liver disease. Ann Hepatol. 2008;7:5-15. Review.

What is the best herb for liver repair?

What herbs can help improve liver health? Milk thistle, turmeric, and burdock are three supplements often used to improve liver health. Of the three, milk thistle has the most evidence to support it can benefit liver health.

Many proponents of herbal medicine suggest using herbs to enhance the health of your liver, an organ responsible for clearing toxins from your body. Indeed, some research shows that certain herbs may help fight liver disorders like cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) or infections like hepatitis B and hepatitis C (causes of liver inflammation).

Here’s a look at several herbs that show promise as a natural means of boosting liver health.

Milk Thistle. Milk thistle may benefit people with cirrhosis of the liver, according to a report published in 2001.   Analyzing five clinical trials (with a total of 602 cirrhosis patients), researchers determined that treatment with milk thistle could lead to a significant reduction in liver-related mortality.

When should I avoid milk thistle?

If you have diabetes, use milk thistle with caution, since the supplement might lower blood sugar. There is also concern that milk thistle might affect estrogen levels. If you have breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis or uterine fibroids, consider avoiding milk thistle.

Milk thistle can cause an allergic reaction, including a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). An allergic reaction is more common in people who are allergic to other plants in the Asteraceae family, such as ragweed, daisies, marigolds and chrysanthemums.

• Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates. Taking milk thistle might affect this enzyme and drugs it processes, such as diazepam (Valium), warfarin (Jantoven) and others. This means milk thistle might affect the levels of these drugs in your body.
• Diabetes medications. Milk thistle might lower blood sugar in people who have type 2 diabetes. Closely monitor your blood sugar levels, and talk to your doctor before taking milk thistle supplements if you take diabetes medications.
• Raloxifene (Evista). Milk thistle may affect how your liver processes this osteoporosis medication, causing higher levels of the drug in your bloodstream. Talk to your doctor before taking milk thistle if you’re taking raloxifene.
• Simeprevir. Taking milk thistle with this hepatitis C medication might increase levels of the drug in your blood plasma. Avoid using milk thistle and simeprevir together.
• Sirolimus (Rapamune). Taking milk thistle with this immunosuppressant might change the way your body processes the medication.

Is milk thistle bad for the kidneys?

Additionally, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of milk thistle may also be useful for reducing the risk of developing diabetic complications like kidney disease.

However, this review also noted that the quality of the studies was not very high, so more studies are needed before it’s possible to make any firm recommendations.

Are there any dangers in taking milk thistle?

Adverse Effects. Adverse effects associated with oral ingestion of milk thistle include:

Gastrointestinal problems (e. g., nausea, diarrhea, dyspepsia, flatulence, abdominal bloating, abdominal fullness or pain, anorexia, and changes in bowel habits).

Skin reactions (pruritus, rash, urticaria, and eczema).

Neuropsychological events (e. g., asthenia, malaise, and insomnia).