Silymarin is a standardized extract from a native plant that grows wild throughout the world. Milk Thistle has been used in Europe as a remedy for liver problems for thousands of years. Its use was extensively documented in the first century (AD 23-79), noting that the plant was excellent for protecting the liver. Early Christian tradition dedicated milk thistle to the Virgin Mary, calling it Marian Thistle. In the 19th century the Eclectics used the herb for varicose veins, menstrual difficulty, and congestion in the liver, spleen and kidneys. Milk thistle has also been taken to increase breast-milk production, stimulate the secretion of bile, and as a treatment for depression.

 

Milk thistle acts by nutritionally supporting the body’s ability to maintain normal liver function. It has shown positive effects in treating nearly every known form of liver disease, including cirrhosis, hepatitis, necroses, and liver damage due to drug and alcohol abuse. Milk thistle works due to its ability to inhibit the factors responsible for liver damage, coupled with the fact it stimulates production of new liver cells to replace old damaged ones. The detrimental effects of environmental toxins, alcohol, drugs and chemotherapy may be countered with this valuable herb.

 

The active chemical component in the herb is primarily silybin, which functions as an antioxidant and is one of the most potent liver protective agents known. Clinical trials have proven silybin to be effective in treating chronic liver diseases and in protecting the liver from toxic chemicals. An injection of silybin is the only proven antidote for poisoning with the Deathcap mushroom (Amanita phalloides). Silybin is a part of the chemical structure of the flavolinoid, silymarine.

 

Milk thistle's hepato-protective effects may be explained by its function of altering the liver cell membrane structure, blocking the absorption of toxins into the cells. Hepato-protection by silymarin can also be attributed to its ability to increase the intracellular concentration of glutathione, a substance required for detoxifying reactions inside the liver cells.

 

Bio-Silymarin™ has a consolidating effect on the cell membrane, thus protecting the liver from harmful impacts and facilitating the recovery of the impaired liver cells. This can result in an improved overall condition, reduced complaints in relation to digestion with subsequent improvement and normalization of the liver function.

 

One of the key ways in which silymarin enhances the detoxification reaction is by preventing the depletion of glutathion. The level of glutathion in the liver is critically linked to the liver's ability to detoxify various substances. The higher the glutathion content, the greater the liver's capacity to detoxify. The reduction of glutathion reduces the rate at which the liver can process toxins, and makes the liver cells more susceptible to damage.

 

Many toxic chemicals tend to reduce the livers content of glutathion, but silymarin prevents this depletion, and has been shown to increase the level of glutathion by as much as thirty-five percent in some reports.