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How does Silymarin Work

Milk thistle provides hepatocellular protection by stabilizing hepatic cell membranes. It alter the structure of the outer cell membrane of the hepatocytes in such a way as to prevent the penetration of the liver toxins into interior of the cell. The stimulation effect on nucleolar polymerase A results in an increase in ribosomal protein synthesis, and thus increase the regenerative ability of the liver and the formation of new hepatocytes. Other actions include interruption of enterohepatic recirculation of toxins and regeneration of damaged hepatocytes. An animal study performed in rats demonstrated a reduction in kidney damage following administration of cisplatin without diminished anti-tumor activity. Other studies indicate the flavonoids in milk thistle has anticancer effects by inducing G1 and S phase arrest in cells. Anecdotal data suggests that milk thistle may prevent liver damage from hepatotoxic medications including butyrophenones, phenothiazines, and phenytoin.

Especially How It Works for Liver

Milk thistle prevents toxins from entering the liver by guarding the organ's numerous doorways-the membranes of liver cells. By slowing the rate at which the liver absorbs harmful substances, the toxins are excreted through the kidneys before they can cause liver damage. The most dramatic example of this is Milk Thistle's ability to block poisons from the deathcap, mushroom (Amanita phalloides), one of the most notorious liver toxins known to humans. In a group of 49 patients with Amanita poisoning, physicians rated the results ¡°amazing¡± and ¡°spectacular,¡± after patients were given injections (20 mg/kg daily) of silybin, a major constituent in Milk Thistle. All of the patients survived, even though they were treated 24 to 36 hours after poisoning, when liver and kidney damage had already occurred. The death rate in emergency rooms from Amanita poisoning is usually 30 to 40 percent.8 Milk thistle acts in a similar fashion to detoxify other synthetic chemicals that find their way into our bodies, from acetaminophen and alcohol to heavy metals and radiation.

Much of Milk Thistle's protective effect is due to the flavonoid complex silymarin, which acts as a powerful antioxidant, combining with and thus neutralizing harmful free radicals that result from normal metabolic processes and from the breakdown of toxic substances. At least 10 times as potent as vitamin E, silymarin also helps increase levels of two additional antioxidants, glutathione and superoxide dismutase (SOD). A laboratory study showed that silymarin may increase glutathione content in the liver and intestines by up to 50 percent. Silymarin also increases the activity of SOD in erythrocytes (red blood cells) and lymphocytes (white blood cells) formed in the lymphatic tissue in patients with liver disease.Because silymarin is a potent antioxidant in the stomach and intestines, it may also have a role to play in treating inflammatory conditions such as colitis and ulcers.

When damage has already been done, Milk Thistle aids the liver in repairing injured cells and generating new ones. It does this by stimulating protein synthesis through the enzyme RNA polymerase I. Protein is a basic building block of cell walls, cell structures, and enzymes that are vital to all body processes. Recent evidence (molecular modeling) suggests that the constituent silybin may be responsible for stimulating protein synthesis, because it imitates a steroid hormone. Silybin increases protein synthesis by up to 25 to 30 percent, compared with controls. Milk thistle's regenerative ability is essential for treating serious conditions such as chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and toxic fatty deposits in the liver.

Recent evidence suggests that silymarin may be just as important for kidney health. Silymarin concentrates in kidney cells, where it aids in repair and regeneration by increasing protein and nucleic acid synthesis. One study showed that it increased cell replication by 25 to 30 percent.

Of the many compounds that make up the silymarin complex, silybin and silychristin are the two most potent ones, according to current pharmacological studies.?Unfortunately, these compounds are relatively poorly absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract. Some studies suggest an absorption rate of just 20 to 50 percent, which explains why it is so important to take standardized Milk Thistle extracts to ensure high concentrations of the active ingredients.??Some manufacturers claim that combining Milk Thistle with phosphatidylcholine increases absorption.

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