Best Milk Thistle Supplements: What To Look For When Buying Milk Thistle
Milk thistle seed extract (Silybum marianum) is an herbal remedy commonly used to support liver health. To get the most benefit from milk thistle extract, it is important to choose the right form. Keep reading to learn more about the best milk thistle supplements and how they can support liver health.
Milk thistle supplements for healthy liver function
Milk thistle seed has been found to protect the liver against toxins and has been studied for its role in supporting liver health, with scientific research suggesting it has antioxidant and metabolic-supportive properties. Milk thistle extract also has antioxidant effects that may help decrease inflammation and support liver function. (6)
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Finding the best milk thistle supplement
Milk thistle has been used medicinally as a natural remedy for thousands of years and its bioactive compound, silybin, has been studied extensively for its ability to support liver health. (2) However, studies also indicate that when taken orally, silybin from milk thistle extract is not well absorbed. (3) Silybin’s bioavailability can be improved significantly by combining milk thistle extract with phosphatidylcholine to create a milk thistle phytosome. (2)
Milk thistle phytosome
Phytosome technology envelops the herb to create a cell-like structure that can effectively deliver the plant and its active compounds through the gut, protecting it from destruction by gastric secretions and gut bacteria, which enhances the bioavailability of the plant. In addition to enhanced absorption, the phosphatidylcholine in the phytosome is also hepatoprotective, offering a synergistic effect when combined with milk thistle. (1)
According to a 2019 prospective, blinded, two-way crossover study featuring 23 healthy volunteers, silybin phytosome demonstrated superior bioavailability compared to a non-phytosome silymarin extract. (4)
What to look for when buying milk thistle supplements
To ensure you choose the best milk thistle supplement with the highest bioavailability possible, be sure the label indicates that the herb has been combined with phosphatidylcholine to create a phytosome. In the form of a dietary supplement, the product can be called milk thistle phytosome, silymarin phytosome, or silybin phytosome.
In addition to milk thistle, phytosome technology is used with other supplements and herbal extracts such as Ginkgo biloba, grape seed, hawthorn, and others to enhance absorption of the active compounds found in these plants. (1)
Standardization is a way to ensure that the product has the highest percentage possible of the active compounds found in the plant. Standardized milk thistle phytosome is generally well tolerated, with many of the studies featuring a milk thistle product standardized to contain 70 to 80% silymarin. (5)
The bottom line
Milk thistle extract is a well-studied supplement that can has many benefits, especially in supporting liver function. The key to choosing the best milk thistle supplements is to look for a standardized silymarin phytosome.
If you’re a patient, consult your integrative healthcare practitioner before taking milk thistle extract supplements.
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Influencer-driven lab companies with AI doctors? That’s not how real health functions. Fullscript Journeys gives you the easy lab testing experience you want and a provider to support you when the real work begins.