Dose: 175mg Size: 90 capsule

Direction: 1 to 3 capsules daily. Use continuously for maximum benefit.

Milk Thistle Extract 175 mg (min. 80% silymarin).
Standardized at 80% silymarin content (140 mg). Free of lactose and other common allergens.

Other ingredients: Cellulose, gelatin. water.

Contains no yeast, corn, wheat. soya. lactose. sugar or other sweeteners. artificial colors or preservatives.

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.

The antioxidant action of silymarin, a key flavonoid in Milk Thistle fruit, helps protect liver cell membranes and stimulates glutathione production in the liver. Milk Thistle helps nourish and strengthen liver cells making them more resistant to free radical damage from various toxins and pollutants.

As a powerful natural antioxidant, Milk thistle facilitates healthy, normal liver function. Promotes bile production used to break down fats. It provides nutritional support for healthy, normal liver function. Milk thistle helps the liver regenerate normally, work better and produce more of the important antioxidant enzymes it uses to cleanse the blood, especially under stressful conditions. This highly active botanical extract protects the liver from free radical damage, increasing glutathione concentrations and superoxide dismutase activity. It also stimulates protein synthesis, resulting in the regeneration of hepatic cells and new liver tissue.

In 1986, Germany's Commission E approved milk thistle as a treatment for "toxic liver damage; also the supportive treatment of chronic inflammatory liver diseases and hepatic cirrhosis." The herb is widely used in chronic viral hepatitis as well as alcoholic fatty liver, liver cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis, chemical-induced liver toxicity, and abnormal liver enzymes of unknown cause. In addition, milk thistle is often added as a protective agent when drugs that are known to be toxic to the liver are used.

Milk Thistle extract is safe, even in large doses.

Few side effects have been reported. A transient, mild laxative effect may occur for 2-3 days, as milk thistle stimulates both the liver and gallbladder.

Milk Thistle is safe for both pregnant and lactating women

Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct light.

Keep out of reach of children.

In Amanita mushroom poisoning, silibinin in Milk Thistleappears to dramatically reduce death rates, which are typically from 30 to 50%, down to less than 10%.¹

Preliminary double-blind studies of people with chronic viral hepatitis have found that milk thistle can produce significant improvement in symptoms such as fatigue, reduced appetite, and abdominal discomfort, as well as results on blood tests for liver inflammation.^2,3

A 21-day double-blind placebo-controlled study of 57 people with acute viral hepatitis found significant improvements in the group receiving milk thistle.⁴

A double-blind placebo-controlled study performed in 1981 followed 106 Finnish soldiers with alcoholic liver disease over a period of 4 weeks.⁵ The treated group showed a significant decrease in elevated liver enzymes and improvement in liver histology, as evaluated by biopsy in 29 subjects.

A double-blind placebo-controlled study followed 146 people with liver cirrhosis for 3 to 6 years. In the treated group, the 4-year survival rate was 58% as compared to only 38% in the placebo group.⁶

Preliminary evidence suggests that milk thistle might protect against liver toxicity caused by drugs such as acetaminophen, Dilantin (phenytoin), alcohol, and phenothiazines.^7,8

1. Schulz V, Hansel R, Tyler VE. Rational Phytotherapy: A Physicians' Guide to Herbal Medicine. 3rd ed. Berlin, Germany: Springer-Verlag; 1998:218.

2. Berenguer J, Carrasco D. Double-blind trial of silymarin vs. placebo in the treatment of chronic hepatitis. Munch Med Wochenschr. 1977;119:240-260.

3. Lirussi F, Okolicsanyi L. Cytoprotection in the nineties: Experience with ursodeoxycholic acid and silymarin in chronic liver disease. Acta Physiol Hung. 1992;80:363-367.

4. Magliulo E, Gagliardi B, Fiori GP. Results of a double blind study on the effect of silymarin in the treatment of acute viral hepatitis, carried out at two medical centres [translated from German]. Med Klin. 1978;73:1060-1065.

5. Salmi HA, Sarna S. Effect of silymarin on chemical, functional and morphological alterations of the liver. A double-blind controlled study. Scand J Gastroenterol. 1982;17:517-521

6. Ferenci P, Dragosics B, Dittrich H, et al. Randomized controlled trial of silymarin treatment in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. J Hepatol. 1989;9:105-113.

7. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions: With Appendices Addressing Specific Conditions and Medicines. 2nd ed. Sandy, Ore: Eclectic Medical Publications; 1998:103.

This is a statement of nutritional support. This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to medically diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your health care provider before using any supplement.