What Does Milk Thistle Do for Your Body?

Milk thistle is one of the most well-researched and well-loved herbal supplements out there. But why, exactly? What does milk thistle do for your body?

This humble herb has a long history. With seeds rich in a powerful antioxidant called silymarin, milk thistle was traditionally known as a liver “elixir”, used by herbalists all the way back to the first century. Many modern scientists now agree that milk thistle is a boon for liver health and a great supplement for fostering gentle, natural detoxification processes. The liver, after all, is one of your hardest-working organs, filtering the blood and neutralizing potentially harmful substances that can impact your overall health and well-being.

Even though it’s best known for benefiting your liver, milk thistle’s health benefits go well beyond this one essential organ.

So why might you want milk thistle extract in your life? Consider these seven health-enhancing superpowers:

Liver cells regularly exposed to unfamiliar, unfriendly, or unwieldy substances experience high stress, which can affect their normal function and renewal. The antioxidants in milk thistle extract promote a strong cellular defense and healthy self-regeneration of liver cells.

By supporting strong and resilient liver cell membranes, milk thistle extract helps discourage the ability of toxins to bind and exert their effects. As they say, the best offense is a strong defense!

Your liver has several phases of natural detoxification which deactivate toxins and transform metabolic waste so that these compounds become easier to eliminate. Milk thistle extract also promotes the production of glutathione, your body’s most powerful antioxidant that’s integral to this beneficial detoxification process.

Your skin is particularly sensitive to the everyday effects of aging, oxidation, pollution, and toxins. As an antioxidant-rich herb, milk thistle is a healthy skin hero, fostering vitality from the inside out. Not only that, but silymarin, milk thistle's primary active compound, promotes immune balance in the skin to encourage a healthy, even skin tone.

Beyond the skin, as a powerful antioxidant, silymarin promotes your whole body’s defense against aging free radicals. In fact, research suggests that it may be more potent than vitamin C and vitamin E, essential antioxidants that your body uses to protect and defend healthy cells. As an antioxidant powerhouse, milk thistle effectively and holistically fosters youthful aging.

While we’re bragging on milk thistle’s benefits, this show-off antioxidant can also go straight to your head! Studies show that milk thistle nourishes healthy brain function through the years by helping to defend your neurons against oxidative stress that naturally occurs with daily life and age.

Although milk thistle extract is well known as a supplement for liver health, it has even more to offer. Recent research shows positive evidence for milk thistle in upholding healthy nutrient metabolism, kidney health, and cardiovascular health.

Thistle Do the Trick

With over 50 years of research and over 100 clinical studies backing it, the organic milk thistle in our SuperPure® Milk Thistle Extract is backed by significant science as an optimal way to promote liver health and healthy detoxification. And as a perfect partner to your liver’s cleansing power, our certified organic extract is clean from seed to soil, made without the use of pesticides or harsh solvents.