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Join Date: May 2005
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Recipes: 0 |  Milk Thistle Supplementation
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Originally Posted by MCWTRAINER There are some threads out there that have a little information about milk thistle and research so I figured I would make a thread just on milk thistle...
Introduction
Milk thistle (silybum marianum) is a plant that has been used to treat liver diseases and promote liver health for centuries. It is presently one of the most commonly used medicinal plants worldwide [1]. The extract of the active components of milk thistle, consisting of various flavonolignans and the isoflavanoid taxifolin, is known as silymarin. The flavanolignans in silymarin include silybinin (also spelled silibinin), isosilybinin, silydianin, silychristin, and dehydrosilibinin [2-3]. Silibinin is generally seen as the primary active component, although the other flavanolignans may also contribute to the therapeutic activity of silymarin [4-5].
The biological activity of silymarin can be attributed to many factors. One of the most important is its action as an antioxidant, and many of the other biological effects are downstream of this action. Silymarin scavenges free radicals and causes a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation, protecting and stabilizing cell membranes [2, 4]. Silymarin stimulates RNA and protein synthesis in the liver, leading to faster regeneration after injury [5-6]. Silymarin also has antiinflammatory activity and inhibits the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) both in vitro and in vivo [2, 7]. It also has antifibrotic and immunomodulating activity [2]. Silymarin may also bind directly to receptor sites in liver cells, prevent toxins from binding to those sites [8]. The effects are many, and the protective effect of milk thistle can be seen as the sum of many different mechanisms [5].
Liver protection
There is a large body of literature discussing experimental studies on the hepatoprotective (liver protecting) properties of silymarin. In rodent models, silymarin (or silibinin) reduced or prevented liver toxicity caused by chroquine (an antimalarial and antirheumatoid agent), amiodarine (an anti-arrhytmic drug), D-galactosamine, carbon tetrachloride, acetaminophen, paracetamol, heavy metals, ethanol, pyrogallol, phenylhydrazine, radiation, and Amanita phalloides (a toxic mushroom species) [4, 6, 8-12]. It was also protective against ischemic liver injury and a model of inflammatory liver disease [6, 13]. These benefits have been measured by changes in liver enzymes (such as AST, ALT, and ALP), changes in serum bilirubin, prevention of fibrosis, prevention of DNA strand breaks, decreased free radical generation, decreased cholestasis, and other methods [4, 6, 9, 13-14]. It has both preventative and curative activity [10].
Silymarin is commonly used in Europe and Asia to treat Amanita mushroom poisoning, cirrhosis, hepatitis, and other liver diseases [8, 15-16]. Many clinical trials have also been conducted to determine if it has a significant benefit. In a meta-analysis of all of these trials published in 2002, the authors concluded that there was no mortality benefit from silymarin and that there was small effect on serum alanine aminotransferase (a marker of liver injury). However, the authors did find evidence for a mortality benefit in some subsets of patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis. They also acknowledged that there were some limitations to the meta-analysis, namely that the number of subjects from the pooled analysis was small, limiting the statistical power to establish a significant effect, and that the results from studies on various liver conditions were pooled together, so liver conditions unresponsive to milk thistle may have skewed results [8]. Two other reviews found that there was evidence for a significant benefit from silymarin in the treatment of alcoholic liver cirrhosis, but that there was less evidence for a benefit in the treatment of other liver conditions, such as hepatitis [17-18]. One trial in hepatitis C patients did find a beneficial effect on AST and gamma-glutamyltranpeptidase level after seven days of treatment, but no significant effect on ALT or bilirubin levels [19].
Even in the case of alcoholic liver disease, while some research indicates a mortality benefit, not all clinical trials have indicated a benefit from silymarin. This may be due to variability in alcohol consumption and poor compliance. A study in baboons given high-alcohol diets indicated that those treated with silymarin had reduced plasma 4-hydroxynonenal (a marker of oxidative liver injury), ALT, steatosis, and fibrosis, although only two of the six subjects were fully protected from these effects [14]. The research collectively indicates a benefit from silymarin in some, but not all liver conditions.
Other effects
The experimental research has also suggested that silymarin may prevent and/or inhibit the growth of various cancers, although the data is still preliminary. The greatest amount of research has focused on inhibition of prostate cancer, which has been found both in cell culture and live animals. Possible mechanisms for this inhibitory effect include alteration in cell cycle progression and inhibition of mitogenic and cell survival signalling, and silibinin recently entered phase I clinical trials in prostate cancer patients [20]. Silymarin also has anticancer activity in rodent models of bladder cancer, colon cancer, skin cancer, and tongue cancer [21-24]. In vitro, silymarin inhibits the growth of breast cancer, glioma, and lung cancer cells [25-27].
A number of other possible benefits of silymarin supplementation have been identified, related to its antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects. In humans, supplementation with silymarin significantly increases plasma antioxidant capacity [2]. Animal models have found it to reduce atherosclerosis and decrease cholesterol levels in animals fed high cholesterol diets [28]. Silymarin also has some direct cardioprotective properties [29-30]. In addition to protecting the liver from heavy metals, silymarin (or silibinin) may reduce other toxic effects of iron and mercury buildup [2, 31]. Because of its antiinflammatory properties, it may be useful in the treatment of inflammatory disorders, and it had antiarthritic activity in an animal model [29, 32].
Dosage & toxicity
The majority of the literature indicates that silymarin is virtually non-toxic and associated with few side effects [2, 22]. No significant adverse effects with silymarin as monotherapy, and few negative drug interactions have been reported [2, 8]. In clinical trials, reports of side effects are similar to those reported with placebo treatment [8, 10]. There are some a few case reports of gastrointestinal disturbances and allergic skin rashes [17]. In vitro studies indicate that silymarin may actually be hepatotoxic in high enough concentrations, and high concentrations of silymarin inhibit some drug metabolizing enzymes, but these are not significant concerns with normal supplemental doses [5, 33].
Although there are many references to the low oral bioavailability of silymarin, supplementation in sufficient quantities results in increased silymarin concentrations in various tissues, especially the liver [4, 34]. The dose used in most clinical trials is 420 mg, with a range of 210-800 mg [8]. Assuming the milk thistle being used is 70-80% silymarin, 200-400 mg of milk thistle daily is recommended as a general supplement to maintain good liver health, and 500-1000 mg is recommended in situations of high liver stress. | Quote: |
Originally Posted by MCWTRAINER Milk Thistle.
By: Clayton South
1. What are they and where do they come from?
Silybum marianum [Milk Thistle] is an herb that has been used for thousands of years to treat various ailments and afflictions. The herb is a tall, stocky, plant that grows fruit, and is native to the Mediterranean.
2. What does it do and what scientific studies give evidence to support this?
The fruit of the plant contains flavonolignands. These are responsible for the benefits of milk thistle. 1
Milk thistle has been used almost exclusively to enhance liver health. It is a very powerful antioxidant 2, and as such helps to remove toxic elements from the body. When the liver is damaged by alcohol consumption, steroid usage, pollutants, or any other environmental factor, milk thistle helps the liver to generate new liver cells. 3,4
It may also be helpful in reducing the risk of developing gallstones. 5 Its ability to cleanse the liver is well-documented in scientific literature. 6
3. Who needs it and what are some symptoms of deficiency?
Everyone can benefit from supplementing with milk thistle. Populations that may benefit most from the supplementation of milk thistle include: persons with hepatitis C, liver problems, or other long-term health problems, persons suffering or recovering from alcoholism, individuals looking to supplement with powerful antioxidant's and athletes looking to improve athletic performance and general health.
Because of milk thistle's ability to generate new liver cells, current or former alcoholics may benefit from its use. 7,8 Milk thistle has been shown to enhance liver recovery, and protect the liver from further damage resulting from alcohol abuse.
Health-conscious individuals may find that milk thistle improves their health by removing toxic substances and harmful oxidant's from the body. With the state of today's environment, almost everyone is exposed to pollutants on a daily basis. Milk thistle functions to protect the liver from harm by detoxifying the body.
Athletes and bodybuilders may benefit from the use of milk thistle. Athletes and bodybuilders typically use many nutritional supplements at one time, in order to boost performance. The use of a number of supplements at one time may produce synergism that results in enormous stress being placed upon the liver.
After a cycle of anabolic steroids, pro-hormones, thermogenics, or any other supplement, athletes may find it helpful to allow the body to rest from supplementation, while taking milk thistle to promote liver health.
Cycling supplements in an on-again-off-again manner, while using milk thistle in between, will ensure liver health and successful performance.
4. How much should be taken? Are there any side effects?
Side effects resulting from overdose can include: nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea and headaches. To avoid these complications it is recommended that label directions be followed at all times.
5. Where can I get it?
There are different brand names that manufacture supplemental milk thistle.
Written by Bodybuilding.com writer, Clayton South.
REFERENCES
1. Wagner H, Horhammer L, Munster R. The chemistry of silymarin (silybin), the active principle of the fruits of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. Arzneim-Forsch Drug Res 1968;18:688-96.
2. Feher J, Lang I, Deak G, et al. Free radicals in tissue damage in liver diseases and therapeutic approach. Tokai J Exp Clin Med 1986;11:121-34.
3. Pizzorno, Joseph, ND; Murray, Michael T, Eds. Textbook of Natural Medicine, second ed. Churchill Livingstone, 1999.
4. Sonnenbichler J, Zetl I. Stimulating influence of a flavonolignan derivative on proliferation, RNA synthesis and protein synthesis in liver cells. In Assessment and Management of Hepatobiliary Disease, ed. L Okolicsanyi, G Csomos, G Crepaldi. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1987, 265-72.
5. Nassuato G, Iemmolo RM, Strazzabosco M, et al. Effect of silibinin on biliary lipid composition. Experimental and clinical study. J Hepatol 1991;12:290-5.
6. Tuchweber B, Sieck R, Trost W. Prevention by silibinin of phalloidin induced hepatotoxicity. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 1979;51:265-75.
7. Salmi HA, Sama S. Effect of silymarin on chemical, functional and morphological alterations of the liver. Scand J Gastroenterol 1982;17:517-21.
8. Leng-Peschlow E. Alcohol-related liver diseases-use of Legalon?. Z Klin Med 1994;2:22-7. | Quote: |
Originally Posted by MCWTRAINER | Quote: |
Originally Posted by MCWTRAINER | Quote: |
Originally Posted by MCWTRAINER | Quote: |
Originally Posted by MCWTRAINER | accidently deleted the original thread .. here's the info |
09-25-2005, 09:17 PM
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