Hale Center Clinical Pharmacy – Milk Thistle Plus 175 mg Standardized Extract with Artichoke

Description

Milk Thistle capsules contain 175 mg of milk thistle
extract, standardized to contain a minimum of 80%
silymarin. Milk Thistle capsules are free of lactose and
other common allergens.

Functions

Milk thistle, a common herb native to the Mediterranean,
has been widely used for its nutritional support of liver
function for over 2,000 years. Fruits (often mistakenly
referred to as seeds) of the dried milk thistle flower are
rich in three flavonolignans: silybin, silydianin and
silychristin. Together, these are known as silymarin, the
bioflavonoid complex responsible for milk thistle’s
powerful protective and regenerative activities in the
liver.
The liver is the body’s detoxifying organ, disabling toxins
such as ethanol, environmental poisons, pesticides and
certain pharmaceuticals. In addition to its detoxification
properties, the liver plays an essential role in protein,
carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, cholesterol synthesis,
bile secretion, and storage of fat-soluble vitamins. When
damaged or diseased, the liver’s ability to eliminate toxins
and perform its numerous other functions may be severely
impaired.
Silymarin enhances normal, healthy hepatic function
through three primary actions. Silymarin protects liver
cells by blocking hepatotoxic substances from crossing
cell membranes, serves as an antioxidant and stimulates
cell regeneration.
Silymarin protects liver cells by acting at the cell
membrane. By binding to the outer membrane, silymarin
prevents harmful toxins from entering the cell, thereby
protecting against liver intoxication. Silymarin appears
effective in protecting the liver from deleterious effects of
both acute and chronic toxin exposures, including that of
ethanol, hepatotoxic medications, such as excessive
acetaminophen, poisonous fungi and environmental
pollutants.
Silymarin further protects the liver as an important
component of the liver’s antioxidant defense. The liver

generates potentially damaging, toxic free radicals and
reactive oxygen species (e.g., peroxides) because of its
normal metabolic and detoxifying functions. Left
unchecked, these radicals can initiate a chain reaction of
lipid peroxidation, causing damage to cell structure and
interfering with normal cell functions. Fortunately,
silymarin interrupts this course of free radical damage.
As an antioxidant, silymarin quenches free radicals, thus
protecting against lipid peroxidation. Further, silymarin
enhances levels of glutathione and superoxide dismutase,
two primary antioxidants in the liver. As a consequence of
its antioxidant activities in the liver, silymarin decreases
the free radical quenching load of glutathione, thus
sparing it from depletion. Similarly, silymarin spares
superoxide dismutase in the liver cell, thereby increasing
both the amount and activity of superoxide dismutase in
both hepatic and red blood cells.
In addition to its protective functions, silymarin stimulates
damaged liver cells to regenerate. In the cell nucleus,
silymarin activates ribosomal RNA via RNA polymerase
1, leading to increased production of ribosomes. By
augmenting the production of ribosomes, the cell
organelle responsible for protein synthesis, silymarin
stimulates protein synthesis in the damaged cell. This
results in expedited cell regeneration, the replacement and
repair of damaged cells.
Milk Thistle is a significant source of silymarin, a
powerful bioflavonoid complex that has antioxidant,
protective, and regenerative functions in the liver. Milk
thistle’s role in protecting and supporting healthy liver
function is well documented in the scientific literature.

Formula

1 Capsule contains:

Milk thistle seed extract …………………………….. 175 mg
(Silybum marianum)
(standardized to 80% silymarin [140 mg])
Turmeric root extract powder …………………………. 50 mg
(Curcuma longa)
(standardized to 95% curcumin [48 mg])
Artichoke leaf extract powder ……………………….. 20 mg
(Cynara scolymus)
(standardized to 2% cynarin [0.4 mg])
Other Ingredients: Rice powder, vegetarian capsule
(modified cellulose, water), magnesium stearate and
silica.
This product contains NO sugar, salt, dairy, yeast, wheat,
gluten, soy, preservatives, artificial colors or flavors.
As a dietary supplement, adults take 1 capsule, 3 times
daily with food, or as directed by a healthcare
professional.