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 AD. And many modern scientists now agree, milk thistle is a boon for liver health! Making it a great thing to supplement if you’re looking for a gentle, natural detox. The liver, after all, is one of your hardest-working organs. It namely filters your blood, clearing out harmful toxins that could damage your overall health and well-being.

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

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

1. Liver Protector

Liver cells regularly exposed to a high toxic load from alcohol, drugs, pesticides, or even harmful organisms may undergo damage. The antioxidants in milk thistle extract can help protect and support healthy regeneration of liver cells.

2. Toxin Deflector

Milk thistle extract helps keep the membranes of your liver cells strong and healthy, which can help deter the binding of unwanted toxins to your cells in the first place. As they say, the best offense is a strong defense!

3. Driver of Detox

Your liver has several phases of natural detoxification which deactivate toxins, hormones, metabolic waste, and more so these compounds become safe for elimination. Milk thistle extract boosts the production of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant in your body that’s integral to this beneficial detoxification process.

4. Skin Saver

Your skin is sensitive to aging, oxidation, and the buildup of unwanted toxins in your body. As an antioxidant-rich herb, milk thistle can come to the rescue to support healthy skin from the inside out by protecting it from oxidative stress that’s caused by things like pollution or UV rays. Not only that, but silymarin, one of milk thistle's primary active compounds, has anti-inflammatory properties which can help minimize redness.

5. Antioxidant Master

Further, as a powerful antioxidant, silymarin can protect your whole body from oxidative stress. In fact, it’s thought to be more potent than vitamin C and vitamin E, which are both antioxidants known to be highly effective in supporting the healthy aging of cells. So as an antioxidant powerhouse, milk thistle effectively and holistically offers these same protective benefits.

6. Brain Health

And watch out because this antioxidant protection can go straight to your head! Milk thistle can support healthy brain function through the years by helping to protect your neurons from the oxidative stress that naturally occurs while you age.

7. Even More!

Although milk thistle extract is well known as a liver supplement, it has so much more to offer. Recent research shows positive evidence for milk thistle in supporting blood sugar regulation, kidney health, and cholesterol balance.

Thistle Do the Trick

What’s more, with over 50 years of European research and over 100 clinical studies backing it, the organic milk thistle that we use in our SuperPure® Milk Thistle Extract is the most-researched extract in Europe for optimal liver health and healthy detoxification. And not only that, but as a certified organic extract from seed to soil, this extract is about as clean as they come. The perfect ally for healthy detoxification and beyond.