Like milk thistle, artichoke leaf contains the important flavonoid silymarin. Silymarin is best known for its abilities in protecting the liver. Artichoke leaf also contributes to overall health and welling by helping to maintain healthy cholesterol levels in people at risk of coronary heart disease.
Its important to note that the comparative bioavailability of silybin over milk thistle is higher. Most studies show the absorption between the two is approximately 10:1. Mathematically stated, this requires 1000 mg of milk thistle to equal the health benefits found in that of 100 mg of silybin.
Liver support herbal supplements include dandelion root, green tea, milk thistle extract and artichoke leaf. Other nutrients that also benefit the liver are vitamins C, D, and E and calcium D-glucarate.
Most studies show milk thistle improves liver function and increases survival in people with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis.
A number of alternative medicines have been used to treat liver diseases. Milk thistle (silymarin) is the most widely used and best studied.
Medical research on milk thistle and liver health has led to mixed results. Studies show that silymarin may help ease inflammation and promote cell repair. This may help ease symptoms from liver diseases like jaundice, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and fatty liver disease.
Milk thistle is generally considered safe for most people at dosages up to 420 mg 3 times a day. However, it may cause allergic reactions, such as itching, headaches, and joint pain, or gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea or diarrhea.
Early research shows that taking milk thistle extract by mouth for up to one year, or taking a product containing the milk thistle constituent silybin plus phosphatidylcholine by mouth for 1 week, improves liver function tests. But other research shows no benefit.
Common vitamins and minerals that assist in liver detoxification include vitamins A, C, E, K, B1, and B6. Beta-carotene and biotin can also be helpful. Additional liver support can be found by ingesting the following herbs: dandelion, schizandra, milk thistle, garlic, and rosemary.
Moreover, patients with insulin resistance, fatty liver disease, and inflammatory conditions can also benefit from milk thistle. But if your liver problems are primarily due to impaired secretion (like if you're prone to bile stones), then dandelion may be best. In many cases you don't have to choose between the two.
This delicious spice also helps to relieve digestive discomfort and relieves symptoms of gas and indigestion. It can also support our liver through reducing oxidative stress in the body.
Milk thistle is considered safe in dosages of 420 mg/day orally in divided doses for up to 41 months.
For Milk thistle, using it on an empty stomach (at least 15 minutes before food) makes it work faster than after meals. If the person has a very sensitive liver and tend to over-react it is a very good idea to take it after meals to buffer reactions.
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.
Fill your fruit basket with apples, grapes and citrus fruits like oranges and lemons, which are proven to be liver-friendly fruits. Consume grapes as it is, in the form of a grape juice or supplement your diet with grape seed extracts to increase antioxidant levels in your body and protect your liver from toxins.
You will experience physical signs your liver is healing, such as healthier-looking skin and eyes, increased energy levels, and reduced stomach pain and swelling. Other signs your liver is healing include: Improved amino-acid regulation – Your liver processes proteins and amino acids that your body cannot store.
In the most serious cases of ARLD, the liver loses its ability to function, leading to liver failure. A liver transplant is currently the only way to cure irreversible liver failure.