It is called milk thistle, or Silybum marianum in the scientific community, a plant that is widely used for the natural treatment of various disorders of the liver, since it has a large amount of nutrients that benefit this organ, especially because it is rich in flavolignates such as silymarin, but also beta-carotenes and flavonoids promote liver well-being. Among the properties and benefits that stand out the most is the power to stimulate the proliferation of young and new cells in the liver, which is why it is of great help to face various liver disorders.
Despite this, milk thistle can also help those who suffer from kidney and gallbladder diseases; However, this time, we are going to detail exclusively what this medicinal plant offers for a specific liver disease. Therefore, in the following FastlyHealarticle you will find all the information about milk thistle for fatty liver: properties and how to take it.
Table of Contents
Properties of milk thistle for the liver and gallbladder
Milk thistle has numerous properties that make it offer great power to protect and regenerate the liver and gallbladder. Thanks to all the nutrients it has, consuming this plant can help regenerate various cells of these organs, making them begin to function properly.
For this reason, it is recommended to consume milk thistle to those who suffer from fatty liver since, accompanying traditional treatment, it can be very useful and make the organ return to its normality; however, it is important to consult a specialist before ingesting.
Lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels with milk thistle
Fatty liver can cause, among other disorders, an increase in the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the body. If you have an alteration in their level, it is essential to consult a doctor and follow the treatment indicated by the specialist, although you can take the opportunity to ask about milk thistle to help you improve faster.
Those who suffer from a high level of cholesterol and triglycerides present various symptoms such as numbness of the limbs, swelling in the hands and feet, dizziness, blurred vision, chest discomfort and loss of balance, so it is important that these symptoms are eliminated and the amounts of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood are regulated.
Milk thistle: antioxidant properties
The various toxins in the body can cause numerous liver disorders such as fatty liver. This can cause, among other things, that the organ does not work normally as it should.
Milk thistle has antioxidant properties that help eliminate all kinds of toxins in the body. Likewise, this plant regenerates liver cells and offers an ideal protective effect to improve liver disorders and the symptoms caused by them.
Reduce excess iron using milk thistle
Because the liver does not function normally as it should, there may be a large accumulation of iron in the body. Another of the healing properties of milk thistle is that it can help reduce the excess of this mineral in the body; however, it is essential that a consultation with a doctor is made to monitor and determine how high the iron is.
Accompanying the traditional treatment, milk thistle can eliminate the symptoms caused by hemochromatosis , that is, by excess iron in the body. Among the most frequent symptoms, abdominal discomfort, joint pain, darkening of the skin, fatigue, weakness, weight loss, body hair and sexual desire stand out.
How to take milk thistle for fatty liver
Once all the properties of milk thistle for fatty liver are known, it is important to know what is the best way to take it. Possible options are as follows:
- Milk thistle infusion: it should be prepared by adding 1 tablespoon of milk thistle seeds in 1 cup of freshly boiled water. Let stand for 5 or 10 minutes, strain and drink about 3 cups a day.
- Milk thistle capsules: Milk thistle capsules or tablets are available in health food stores. They are a good supplement for patients with liver problems and it is recommended to take a maximum of 420 mg a day.
We expand on this information in the article How to take milk thistle – recommended daily dose .
Milk thistle: contraindications and side effects
Although milk thistle provides very good benefits, it is also possible that some people have certain adverse reactions, which also depend on the predisposition of the person and the dose of consumption. If the treatment is followed with the recommendations and the specialist’s control, they are less likely to appear, but it should be taken into consideration that there are contraindications and side effects:
- Hypertensive effect, so it is not recommended for hypertension patients.
- Intestinal disorders.
- Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting.
- Toxic if combined with certain drugs.
- It can cause reactions like eczema.
- It should be consumed with caution, especially people with diabetes.
- It is contraindicated in pregnant or lactating women.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.