Silymarin (Milk Thistle) Extract - Treat Type II Diabetes

Nowadays, people have been finding alternative ways to prevent or treat illnesses. This is because, most synthetic medicines have higher rate of causing undesirable side effects. If you are one of those people who would want a safer yet equally effective way to manage one's health, a daily dose of Silymarin extract is just for you.

Silymarin, or also known as milk thistle, is a flowering plant that belongs to the daisy family. This plant is abundant in certain regions of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Like any other plant that belongs to this genus, milk thistles have a tall erect stem. It also has a large alternate leaves which has waxy lobes with thorny spikes.

HEPATIC

Milk Thistle extract comes from the plant's seeds. The extract from the seeds have high medicinal value because it contains around 65 to 80% of silymarin (a flavonolignan complex) and about 20 to 35% fatty acids that includes linoleic acid.

Silymarin, being a complex mixture of polyphenolic molecules, has been clinically proven to treat type II diabetes when taken at high doses. Furthermore, Silymarin is also said to treat patients diagnosed with Hepatitis C at an even higher dose. But taking such high doses would require a doctor's order as it could cause some adverse reactions like brief gastrointestinal disturbances, diarrhea, cramping, mild allergic reactions, and urticaria. However, if you want to take it as a daily supplement, an average of 420 to 480 mg per day is recommended.

This plant benefits the liver because it produces a hepatoprotective effect by stimulating (Ribonucleic Acid) RNA and (Deoxyribonucleic acid) DNA synthesis and scavenges pro-oxidant free radicals and increase intracellular concentration of glutathione (a substance needed to detoxify hepatic cell reactions), thus altering the outer membrane of the hepatic cells. Moreover, it is also said to exert anti-inflammatory effect on the platelets.

Because of such activity in the body, Silymarin extract is used to prevent, treat, or delay the progress of liver dysfunction (including damage caused by acute viral hepatitis or long term phenothiazine or butyrophenone use), dyspepsia, gallbladder disorders, and spleen disorders.

Additional health benefit includes reduction of increased total and high-density lipoprotein levels and as an antidote for Amanita mushroom poisoning. Further claims include: as an oral steroid for body builders, helps in controlling blood cholesterol levels, reducing the resistance of diabetic patients to insulin, slowing the progress of cancer, and to reduce liver damage caused by exposure to chemo drugs. The set of latter claims however does require more evidences to establish its accuracy.

Taking Thistle Milk extract that has been processed to a tablet or as a part of an ingredient of a food supplement is said to be generally safe. However, as soon as you see some allergic reactions when taking Silymarin extract stop it immediately and consult your doctor. Also, extra precautions should be made when giving the said plant extract to women who are pregnant or lactating because the safety of Thistle Milk extract to babies are not yet established.

Silymarin (Milk Thistle) Extract - Treat Type II Diabetes

HEPATIC