Can milk thistle reverse liver damage?

Milk thistle is often suggested as a treatment for alcoholic hepatitis and alcoholic cirrhosis, but scientific studies show mixed results. Most studies show milk thistle improves liver function and increases survival in people with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis.


How long does it take for milk thistle to help the liver?

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.

Can milk thistle harm your liver?

It may have protective effects on the liver, preventing damage. There's some evidence that milk thistle can treat cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis, which can be caused by alcohol abuse, autoimmune disease, or viruses.


How much milk thistle for liver repair?

The available forms of Milk thistle are capsules, tablet, tincture and intravenous solution. Adult dosage in terms of hepatoprotection is 420 mg/day of extract (standardized to 70-80% silymarin) three times a day for 6-8 weeks. Maintenance dose is 280 mg/day.

What happens if you take milk thistle everyday?

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.


How To Repair Liver Damage After Alcohol? – Dr.Berg on Liver Cirrhosis



What are the disadvantages of taking milk thistle?

Milk thistle can cause: Gastrointestinal issues, such as diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting and abdominal bloating. Itchiness. Headache.

What should I avoid while taking milk thistle?

Milk thistle may interfere with the following medications, because both milk thistle and these medications are broken down by the same liver enzymes:
  • Allergy drugs. ...
  • Drugs for high cholesterol. ...
  • Anti-anxiety drugs. ...
  • Antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs (blood thinners). ...
  • Some cancer drugs. ...
  • Drugs broken down by the liver.


Can milk thistle repair a fatty liver?

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.


How fast does milk thistle take to work?

How Long Does Milk Thistle Take to Work. There isn't an exact science behind this, but generally it can take around 3 to 4 months before someone will see any benefits of milk thistle on their health, and this is after daily intake of some form of milk thistle.

How many times a week should you take milk thistle?

Supplement Dosage

Although there is no standardized milk thistle dosage at this time, most people do best consuming between 20–300 milligrams daily. If you're taking milk thistle for the liver, the recommended daily intake of milk thistle is 150 milligrams, taken one to three times daily.

How I cured my liver cirrhosis?

Is there a cure for cirrhosis of the liver? No, there is no cure for cirrhosis. The damage already done to your liver is permanent. However, depending on the underlying cause of your cirrhosis, there may be actions you can take to keep your cirrhosis from getting worse.


What is better than milk thistle for liver?

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.

How can I make my liver healthy again?

Here are 13 tried and true ways to achieve liver wellness!
  1. Maintain a healthy weight. ...
  2. Eat a balanced diet. ...
  3. Exercise regularly. ...
  4. Avoid toxins. ...
  5. Use alcohol responsibly. ...
  6. Avoid the use of illicit drugs. ...
  7. Avoid contaminated needles. ...
  8. Get medical care if you're exposed to blood.


Can fatty liver be fully reversed?

It can lead to much more serious conditions including cirrhosis and liver failure.” The good news is that fatty liver disease can be reversed—and even cured—if patients take action, including a 10% sustained loss in body weight.


How much milk thistle should I take per day for fatty liver?

Milk thistle is marketed as capsules or tablets containing ethanol extracted silymarin in amounts of 250 to 750 mg and is purported to be beneficial for liver disease, including alcoholic and viral liver disease. The daily dosage varies but it is typically taken 2 to 3 times daily.

Can fatty liver be reversed quickly?

How long it takes to reverse fatty liver disease may depend on the cause. If your fatty liver is because of alcohol, you may be able to reverse the effects in about 2 weeks. If you have NAFLD, it will depend on how quickly you lose weight. But remember, be careful not to lose weight too quickly.

Can you drink alcohol while taking milk thistle?

Do not consume alcohol while you are taking silymarin, the active compound in milk thistle. While there is no specific interaction between this nutritional supplement and alcohol, the primary reason people take silymarin is to protect the liver and help it repair itself.


Does milk thistle affect the heart?

to boost heart health, says a new study.

What form of milk thistle is best?

The Best Milk Thistle Supplements
  • Best Overall. Puritan's Pride Milk Thistle. Affordable Six Month Supply. ...
  • Best Antioxidant Formula. Jarrow Formulas Milk Thistle. ...
  • Strongest Dose. Fresh Nutrition Milk Thistle Capsules. ...
  • Best for Liver Health. FarmHaven Milk Thistle Capsules. ...
  • Most Trusted. Nature's Bounty Milk Thistle Capsules.


How many mg of milk thistle should I take a day?

Dosage and side effects

Milk thistle supplements, for reference, are tolerated at doses of up to 700 mg, 3 times per day for 24 weeks ( 1 ). Possible side effects of the plant include stomach upset, nausea, and diarrhea ( 1 ).


What are 4 warning signs of damaged liver?

If signs and symptoms of liver disease do occur, they may include:
  • Skin and eyes that appear yellowish (jaundice)
  • Abdominal pain and swelling.
  • Swelling in the legs and ankles.
  • Itchy skin.
  • Dark urine color.
  • Pale stool color.
  • Chronic fatigue.
  • Nausea or vomiting.


What can I drink to flush my liver?

8 Great Bedtime Beverages for Detoxification
  1. Chamomile Tea. This tea is mildly bitter due to its sesquiterpene lactone content which helps the liver prime its detoxification pathways. ...
  2. Lemon Water. ...
  3. Jujube Fruit. ...
  4. Lotus Seed. ...
  5. Rose Tea. ...
  6. Peppermint Tea. ...
  7. Oat Tea. ...
  8. Schizandra Berry Tea.


How do you know if your liver is improving?

Increased appetite: Digesting foods and nutrients can become easier as the liver healing continues. Usually, your appetite can improve as well. Improved blood work: Liver healing can lower toxin levels in your blood and improve liver function. You can see evidence of these improvements in your lab work.


How do you know when your liver is healing?

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.

What vitamins are good for liver repair?

Which Vitamins Are Good for the Liver? Vitamins that play a crucial role in maintaining liver health include vitamin D, E, C, B. Individuals need to take these vitamins regularly through a healthy diet plan.