
Milk Thistle capsules, provided by Douglas
Laboratories®, contain 175 mg of milk thistle extract, standardized to contain a
minimum of 80% silymarin. Douglas Laboratories’ Milk Thistle capsules are free
of lactose and other common allergens. Milk thistle, a common herb native to the
Mediterranean, has been widely used for its nutritional support of liver
function for over 2000 years. Fruits (often mistakenly referred to as seeds) of
the dried milk thistle flower are rich in three flavonolignins: silybin,
silydianin, and silychristin. Together, these are known as silymarin, the
bioflavonoid complex responsible for milk thistle’s powerful protective and
regenerative activities in the liver. The liver is the body’s detoxifying organ,
disabling toxins such as ethanol, environmental poisons, pesticides, and certain
pharmaceuticals. In addition to its detoxification properties, the liver plays
an essential role in protein, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism, cholesterol
synthesis, bile secretion, and storage of fat-soluble vitamins. When damaged or
diseased, the liver’s ability to eliminate toxins and perform its numerous other
functions may be severely impaired. Silymarin enhances normal, healthy hepatic
function through three primary actions. Silymarin protects liver cells by
blocking hepatotoxic substances from crossing cell membranes, serves as an
antioxidant, and stimulates cell regeneration. Silymarin protects liver cells by
acting at the cell membrane. By binding to the outer membrane, silymarin
prevents harmful toxins from entering the cell, thereby protecting against liver
intoxication. Silymarin appears effective in protecting the liver from
deleterious effects of both acute and chronic toxin exposures, including that of
ethanol, hepatotoxic medications, such as excessive acetaminophen, poisonous
fungi, and environmental pollutants. Silymarin further protects the liver as an
important component of the liver’s antioxidant defense. The liver generates
potentially damaging, toxic free radicals and reactive oxygen species (e.g.,
peroxides) as a result of its normal metabolic and detoxifying functions. Left
unchecked, these radicals can initiate a chain reaction of lipid peroxidation,
causing damage to cell structure and interfering with normal cell functions.
Fortunately, silymarin interrupts this course of free radical damage. As an
antioxidant, silymarin quenches free radicals, thus protecting against lipid
peroxidation. Further, silymarin enhances levels of glutathione and superoxide
dismutase, two primary antioxidants in the liver. As a consequence of its
antioxidant activities in the liver, silymarin decreases the free radical
quenching load of glutathione, thus sparing it from depletion. Similarly,
silymarin spares superoxide dismutase in the liver cell, thereby increasing both
the amount and activity of superoxide dismutase in both hepatic and red blood
cells. In addition to its protective functions, silymarin stimulates damaged
liver cells to regenerate. In the cell nucleus, silymarin activates ribosomal
RNA via RNA polymerase 1, leading to increased production of ribosomes. By
augmenting the production of ribosomes, the cell organelle responsible for
protein synthesis, silymarin stimulates protein synthesis in the damaged cell.
This results in expedited cell regeneration, the replacement and repair of
damaged cells. Milk Thistle is a significant source of silymarin, a powerful
bioflavonoid complex that has antioxidant, protective, and regenerative
functions in the liver. Milk thistle’s role in protecting and supporting healthy
liver function is well documented in the scientific literature. Milk Thistle capsules may be a useful nutritional
adjunct for individuals who wish to enhance healthy hepatic function through the
natural protective and regenerative properties of this herb. Milk Thistle may be
especially well suited for individuals with excessive or chronic exposure to
environmental toxins, pesticides, alcohol, hepatotoxic pharmaceuticals,
and other substances damaging to the liver. One to three capsules daily. Use continuously for
maximum benefit. No adverse effects have been reported. Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct
light. Keep out of reach of children. Davila, JC et al. Protective effect of flavonoids on
drug-induced hepatotoxicity in vitro. Toxicology 1989;57(3):276-286. Dehmlan, C et al. Inhibition of Kupffer cell functions as an
explanation for the hepatoprotective properties of silibinin. Hepatology
1996;23(4): 749-759. Ferenci, P et al. Randomized, controlled trial of silymarin
treatment in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. J Hepatol
1989;9(1):105-113. Flora, K et al. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) and the
treatment of liver disease. Am J Gastroenterol 1998;93(2):139-43. Hakov’a, H and E Misurova. The effect of silymarin and gamma
radiation on nucleic acids in rat organs. J Pharm Pharmacol
1993;45(10):910-912. Mira, L, Silva, M, and CF Mansu. Scavenging of reactive
oxygen species by silibinin dihemisuccinate. Biochem Pharmacol
1994;40(4):753-759. Muriel, P et al. Prevention by silymarin of membrane
alterations in acute Ccl4 liver damage. J Appl Toxicol 1990;10(4):275-279.
Muriel, P et al. Silymarin protects against paracetamol-induced
lipid peroxidation and liver damage. J Appl Toxicol 1992;12(6):439-442. Parish, RC et al. Treatment of Amanita mushroom poisoning: a
review. Vet Hum Toxicol 1986;28(4):318-327. Pifferi, G et al. Synthesis and antihepatotoxic activity of
silybin H-Ophosphate. Farmaco 1994;49(1):75-76. Utrella, MP et al. Natural products with hepatoprotective
action. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol 1996;18 Suppl B:11-12. Valenzuela, A et al. Selectivity of silymarin on the
increase of glutathione control in different tissues of the rat. Planta Med
1989;55(5):420-422. Wu, CG et al. Protective effect of silymarin on rat liver
injury induced byischemia. Virchows Arch B Cell Pathol Include Mol Pathol
1993;64(5):259-263. Zi, X et al. Novel cancer chemopreventive effects of a
flavonoid antioxidant silymarin: inhibition of mRNA expression of an
endogenous tumor promotor TNF alpha. Biochem Biophys Res Commun
1997;239(1):334-339. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug
Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or
prevent any disease.
Description
Functions
Indications
Suggested Use
Side Effects/Warnings
Storage
References:
Each capsule
contains:
Milk Thistle Fruit, dried
(min. 80% silymarin)
175 mg
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