| Milk thistle silymarin extracts make up some of | | | | In addition to having a positive effect on the liver, |
| the most popular liver tonics. A very common | | | | the extract may help prevent prostate, lung and |
| plant, it was used by traditional healers to treat | | | | colon cancers. It is currently being studies as a |
| diseases of the liver and gall bladder. Modern | | | | preventative measure and a treatment for |
| studies have shown that it is active against liver | | | | various types of cancer. Many other plants are |
| cancers. Hepatitis C patients commonly use it as a | | | | being studied for their anti-cancer activity, as well. |
| complementary medicine to relieve pain, nausea | | | | For example, curcumin, from turmeric, is the |
| and fatigue. | | | | current subject of three separate trails. |
| It is included as an ingredient in some of the | | | | Many researchers believe that we can greatly |
| better multi-nutritional supplements on the market. | | | | reduce our risk of cancer by increasing our intake |
| Alone, it does not have high bioavailability, meaning | | | | of natural anti-inflammatories and antioxidants |
| that very little ends up in the bloodstream. But, | | | | found in plant foods and herbs. Nutrient intake is |
| when added to lecithin, a fat found in soy and | | | | another factor. Low levels of calcium and vitamin |
| sunflower seeds, the bioavailability is ten times | | | | D have recently been identified as being |
| higher. | | | | associated with various types of cancer. |
| In addition to their use as liver tonics, milk thistle | | | | Doctors have found that vitamin D deficiencies |
| silymarin extracts are also used to protect the | | | | are common in the United States. Pediatricians |
| liver from drugs that are potentially toxic to it. | | | | recently raised the daily recommended dosage of |
| There are some 900 different drugs that are | | | | vitamin D for children and suggested that |
| potentially toxic to the liver. | | | | supplementation should continue into adulthood. |
| The human body identifies drugs as foreign | | | | Milk thistle silymarin extracts will not prevent |
| substances or toxins. It takes action against them | | | | vitamin deficiencies, but they are included in some |
| to make them suitable for elimination. The central | | | | of the better multi-nutritional supplements. Some |
| role of the liver in clearing toxic chemicals from | | | | debate about the benefit of dietary supplements, |
| the body makes it susceptible to drug induced | | | | but recent research has shown that fresh fruits |
| injury. Some of the common drugs that are | | | | and vegetables are not as nutrient-rich as they |
| known to cause liver damage include | | | | were just 50 years ago. It is practically impossible |
| acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen and other | | | | to get all of the nutrients that you need every |
| non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. | | | | day without overeating. Some experts believe |
| Some naturally occurring substances are toxic to | | | | that is the root cause of the obesity epidemic. |
| the liver, as well. One of these is the "death cap", | | | | To sum it up, milk thistle silymarin extracts may |
| a kind of poisonous mushroom. Chemically | | | | be beneficial for relieving pain, nausea and fatigue. |
| modified milk thistle silymarin extracts are injected | | | | It helps support the liver and reduces your risk of |
| to treat death cap poisoning. This well-known use | | | | cancer. It is not the only important plant |
| supports the purported benefits of dietary | | | | compound that we know of, just one of the few |
| supplementation. | | | | that is known to protect the liver. |