Milk thistle

Does anyone have experience with Milk Thistle suppliment? Did it work for your liver? Can it harm you?

[Luca17]

Hi i try it for 2 months did nothing for me personally I’ve still got liver pain but not as bad as when I was taking it there’s that many different ones on the market god knows what actually in them

[AyrshireK]

From the BLT website :-

Does milk-thistle help the symptoms of liver disease?

Milk-thistle (also known as Silybum marianum) is an over-the-counter supplement, which some people believe can be beneficial to people with liver disease. Some laboratory studies have shown the herbs active components (silymarin) have a positive effect on liver cells38. However, milk-thistle is not licensed as a medicine and so studies into its effectiveness in the body have been limited, with conflicting results. If milk thistle is not properly produced it can also contain other toxins that are harmful to people with liver disease.

There is not currently enough evidence to prove or disprove any beneficial effects on the liver. Milk-thistle may lower blood sugar levels and people with diabetes or hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) should use with caution. If you are thinking of using milk-thistle, please discuss this with your doctor.

[Hidden]

Hi

The British Liver Trust does not recommend the use of homeopathic or herbal remedies for those with any liver problems as these have to be processed by the liver and could actually cause further damage,

More research needs to be done on the use and safety of such remedies and therapies.

If you have concerns or are considering using complementary or alternative remedies &/or therapies always discuss this with your doctor.

Here is our website info on this for information;

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Mt naturopath says yes to herbs, my GP doesn't say anything. My surgeon said go to normal diet which obviously is not working.... a total mess.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Are you under the care of a liver specialist? We would always suggest to follow the medical advice of your own doctors.

If you are in the UK and would like a supportive chat, you are welcome to call our nurse led helpline, we are open tomorrow 10am to 3pm on 0800 652 7330

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I am in Canada.

[TT-2018 in reply to Hidden]

I am sorry to state the obvious but of course a naturopath will say yes to herbs and then probably present you with a sizeable invoice.

I tried milk thistle because the things that I read about it were very convincing. I went onto have a transplant and will follow the advice that I receive from my NHS Heptologist, milk thistle is definitely not on the list.

I am coming up for three years post transplant and things are going well.

[Corrine1]

My husband, who had end stage liver disease and has recently had a transplant, was advised not to take it by his consultant who said it could do further damage to his liver.

[Kristian]

I think milk thistle is good for weight loss. It will make your purse a bit lighter but thats about it 😆😆. There's no real evidence it will do anything else, lol.