Our liver is critical for life. It performs over 500 functions. One of the most important is processing toxins for elimination from our bodies. Toxins come from the air we breathe, the foods we eat, and the skin care products we use.
Milk thistle has been used for centuries to protect our health, especially our liver. It protects our liver against metabolic syndrome, fatty liver disease and can even help neutralize hepatitis C.
Milk thistle has two primary components. One is silybin and the other is silymarin. These two components assist our livers to remove toxins and protect against free radicals, fats, sugars and other attackers that can damage our liver.
Metabolic syndrome is a serious problem as we age. The older you are, the more likely you will have or develop this condition. Metabolic syndrome changes the way our liver processes sugars and fats. A continuous overflow of sugars and fats can leave our liver unable to function normally. When that happens, you are now eligible for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). There are no immediate symptoms. Many people have it and don’t know it.
Silybin, from milk thistle, is more effective stabilizing liver function than the prescription drug, rosiglitazone. Silybin helps our bodies improve insulin resistance and reduce oxidative stress. Another interesting result of silybin is its ability to combat obesity. Additionally, silybin helps to reduce excess liver weight.
Human studies have combined silybin with vitamin E. The results showed great improvement in reversing liver damage. A recent European study demonstrated silybin’s ability to reduce abdominal circumference, body mass index, liver size and fat secretions in the liver.
Liver fibrosis can lead to severe scarring in your liver. It also leads to other serious liver diseases. If left unchecked, it can restrict blood flow inside the liver, backup bile in the liver and lead to liver cirrhosis. Silybin has been shown in animal testing to reverse the effects of liver fibrosis. Silymarin, another component of milk thistle, has been used in humans to enhance recovery from liver cirrhosis.
Our bodies make four different phospholipids. One of them is phosphatidylcholine. Silybin is better absorbed in the body when combined with phosphatidylcholine. Take care of your liver and you will be rewarded with a much healthier life.
Red, I am really interested in your health posts. Very interesting material.