Milk thistle – a strong liver supporter

MIlk Thistle (Silybum marianum) is a medicinal herb that has been known for centuries and has special properties to support liver health. The plant is native to the Mediterranean region but is also common in many other parts of the world, including America and Asia. MIlk thistle is a plant with tall, spiny leaves with milky spots and prominent red or pink flowers, which has been used since antiquity to alleviate a wide range of health problems.

The plant is adapted to grow in hot and dry climates, being particularly hardy and fertile. Although the milk thistle is impressive in appearance, its real value lies in its seeds. The seeds contain silymarin, a unique and highly active component that protects the liver and helps restore its functions. Nowadays, milk thistle is one of the most popular plants used to support liver health, often being an ingredient in supplements designed to strengthen the liver and help it cope with environmental stresses and toxins.

Maintaining a healthy liver is crucial to our overall wellbeing, as the liver performs a number of vital functions in the body, including removing toxins, regulating metabolism and producing energy. A good diet and a healthy lifestyle play an important role in supporting the liver.

Here are some of the main reasons why milk thistle is an effective liver supporter:

1. Antioxidant effect: Silymarin, the main active ingredient in milk thistle, helps neutralise the damaging effects of free radicals. Free radicals can damage liver cells, but silymarin increases the body’s levels of antioxidants, such as the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD), which helps protect liver cells from oxidative stress.
2. Liver regeneration and new cell growth: silymarin helps to promote the growth of new liver cells, replacing damaged cells. This property makes milk thistle an excellent choice for restoring liver function and preventing liver injury.
3. Support for detoxification: milk thistle increases glutathione levels in the liver, which is important in detoxification processes. Glutathione helps to neutralise harmful substances, such as alcohol and chemicals that can damage the liver. It also helps prevent glutathione loss that can occur from excessive alcohol consumption or exposure to toxic substances.
4. Reducing inflammation: silymarin not only protects the liver but also reduces the release of inflammatory mediators often associated with liver damage. This is particularly important as inflammation can damage the liver and contribute to the development of chronic diseases.
5. Anti-cancer effects: Some studies have shown that milk thistle may have anti-cancer effects, helping to reduce the formation of liver cancer-promoting substances and offering potential for the prevention of solid cancers.
6. Long-term use: Milk thistle is non-toxic and can be used long-term. It is not toxic and can be used for long periods of time, which makes it a reliable dietary supplement to support liver health in everyday life.

Because milk thistle is proven for its liver protective and restorative properties, it can also be an excellent ingredient in liver health supplements. If you’re looking for a supplement that can help to nourish and protect your liver, then our liver support capsules are an excellent choice. These capsules contain all of the beneficial components of milk thistle, providing support for your liver and helping to keep it healthy through everyday challenges.

Maintaining a healthy liver is crucial to our overall wellbeing, as the liver performs a number of vital functions in the body, including removing toxins, regulating metabolism and producing energy. A good diet and a healthy lifestyle play an important role in supporting the liver.

Nutrition to support the liver:

• Balanced diet: foods that are low in fat, sugar and salt and high in fibre help the liver to work. Preference should be given to wholegrain products, fresh fruit and vegetables and healthy fats such as nuts and avocado.
• Should be avoided: Fatty and fried foods, sweets, junk food and excessively salty foods, as they put a strain on the liver and can contribute to the accumulation of fats in the liver.
• Foods that support the liver: fibre-rich foods such as oats and buckwheat, as well as nuts, vegetables, green leafy vegetables, cruciferous vegetables (e.g. broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower), fatty fish (e.g. salmon, sardines), olive oil, fruits and berries such as grapefruit, apples, avocados and citrus fruits help cleanse and heal the liver.

Lifestyle recommendations:

• Limit your alcohol intake: alcohol overconsumption is a common cause of liver damage. A moderate and reasonable intake is one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. The moderate and healthy limit is one woman and one drink for a man and two for a woman and two drinks for a woman. No more than 40 ml of spirits, 120 ml of wine or 500 ml of 5.2% beer should be consumed at any one time. You should also allow at least three completely alcohol-free days per week.
• Regular exercise: physical activity helps maintain a healthy weight and promotes normal liver function. A minimum of 30-60 minutes of moderate exercise a few times a week is recommended.
• Drinking enough water: Drinking enough water helps the body to get rid of waste products much better.
• Avoid excessive use of medicines: inappropriate and excessive use of medicines can put a strain on the liver. Inappropriate or over-indulgent use of medications is unnecessary and unnecessary. Medications should only be taken as prescribed by a doctor and in the doses recommended.