milk thistle or silymarin

Thus, it is no surprise that those with Hepatitis C choose milk thistle more than any other vitamin or herbal supplement. A plant native to Europe, milk thistle has a long history of use as a folk remedy for liver and gallbladder disorders. Although milk thistle does not possess antiviral properties, hundreds of studies have concluded that it helps maintain liver health - even in the presence of a liver-damaging virus.

OK, the pills I have state that they are 325mg of Milk Thistle Seed and 75mg of Milk Thistle Seed Powder Extract Standardized to 80% Silymarin. So is this a 325mg pill, a 400mg pill or something else based on the 80% Silymarin statement? The label's "Suggested Use" statement indicates to take "1 capsule 3 times daily". Would that be a 1200mg regimen per day?? What is the difference between the seed and "seed powder extract"?

Providing even more reason for those with Hepatitis C to take milk thistle, a new study tips the scales of doubt by showing that silymarin exerts multiple effects against the lifecycle of the Hepatitis C virus.

Because standard of care with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin therapy is costly, has significant side effects, and fails to cure about half of all infections, many patients seek complementary and alternative medicine to improve their health, such as Silymarin, derived from milk thistle (Silybum marianum). Milk thistle's clinical benefits for chronic hepatitis C are unsettled due to variability in standardization of the herbal product.

I personally feel that there are things we still need to learn about milk thistle (silymarin). Some doctors don’t object to it, while others are adamantly against its use while on treatment. It won’t cure you any faster or better, and you’re already taking one the of the most powerful anti inflammatory drugs known; interferon.

Providing even more reason for those with Hepatitis C to take milk thistle, a new study tips the scales of doubt by showing that silymarin exerts multiple effects against the lifecycle of the Hepatitis C virus.

There is no consensus among hepatologists about taking mik thistle, so for that reason I wouldn't do it. That said, there are members here who have reported that their hepatologists had no problem with their patients taking it. Some hepatologists say it's okay to take only before or after treatment itself and some say it's even okay to take during treatment. I would definitely look to the advice of your own hepatologist in this matter, if you want to pursue it.

I have used Milk Thistle (Silymarin) for several years. It won't eradicate HCV at all. I can't back my statement up with lab test results, but I definitely did feel some benefit from using it. I have seen numerous similar comments. Hepatitis Researcher (see Health Pages) has commented on it also. Apparently it is not a good idea to use Silymarin while on TX though. Have you tried using "Silymarin" in your search criteria? Just a thought.

Also, the main reason I posted this was because of the benefits of taking Silymarin ( Milk Thistle) during treatment, not that it would replace treatment. What James did not post were the findings right under the two he listed, which are as follows...The last paragraph is important!! 3. Those on silymarin showed significantly fewer liver-related symptoms than non-users. 4. Those on silymarin scored higher on quality-of-life parameters than non-users. 5.

“SUMMARY: Silymarin, an extract from the milk thistle plant, has an inhibitory effect on the hepatitis C virus (HCV) polymerase in laboratory studies, but its anti-HCV action also appears to include blocking HCV from entering cells and preventing cell-to-cell transmission, according to research described in the June 2010 issue of Hepatology.” (More in the overview…) http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2010/0820_2010_a.

Just wondering about the supplement Milk Thistle....I have some issues with my Liver....blood work is out of wake....I have been taking milk thistle but am thinking to bump it up from once a day to three times a day...does anyone know if that is a good idea...have heard yes and no...help!!!

Does anyone know if milk thistle is good, bad, or of no effect? I read somewhere that it is helpful for liver problems so started taking it. I won't see my dr. for almost three months so can't ask him until then.

Silymarin, or milk thistle, a botanical extract that is widely used by patients infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), has no effect on liver enzymes or viral load in those with chronic HCV, according to a large multicenter randomized clinical trial published in the July 18 issue of JAMA. Here is the link for the entire study: Chronic HCV: No Benefit From Milk Thistle http://www.medscape.

If you type milk thistle or silymarin the 'search this community' search field, you will be able to find a lot of discussions on milk thistle.

Each milk thistle flower can produce about 190 seeds, with an average of 6,350 seeds per plant, with over 90% being viable for growth and use. It is the seeds that are most often used for medicinal purposes. Approximately 1 /4 pound of seed will be yielded per plant. PRESERVATION / PACKAGING METHODS: Can be dried and stored as any herb or spice in an air-tight container. ESSENTIAL OIL USE: Used as a liver tonic.

“Milk Thistle Has No Medical Benefit” – perhaps in regard to improving liver function test results. BUT, milk thistle or silymarin does reduce progression from fibrosis to cirrhosis. Liver health is most important and hepatitis C patients can live with fibrosis their entire life… Reference: Silymarin use and liver disease progression in the Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-Term Treatment against Cirrhosis trial, http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2036.2010.04503.

So many of you are taking Milk thistle (Silymarin) anyway that I thought you'd enjoy knowing it might have another positive attribute. I know these are just preliminary studies but livers and brains are both so essential...maybe it will pan out.

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.

Milk thistle or silymarin

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