Milk thistle benefits weight loss in several ways. It is a fascinating flowering herb that has been growing for thousands of years. It has been known in Europe and the Middle East since ancient times.
Milk thistle, also known as Saint Mary’s thistle and Holy thistle, owes its name to a Biblical legend. The Virgin Mary, escaping Judea for Egypt to escape Herod, would have hidden Baby Jesus under a grove of thistles.
The characteristic white veins of this species’ leaves would be a remnant of milk drops of the Virgin Mary. This prickly plant has distinctive purple flowers with white veins.
Fable aside, this plant scientifically known as Silybum marianum, has active ingredients known as silymarin. Usually, milk thistle extract has a high amount of silymarin, between 65-80%.
7 WAYS MILK THISTLE BENEFITS WEIGHT LOSS
1. IT SUPPORTS WEIGHT LOSS.
Milk thistle on its own won’t make you burn fat or suppress your appetite. A Frontiers in Pharmacology study finds that it helps assist with metabolic dysfunction associated with diet- influenced obesity.
This suggests milk thistle may be beneficial for those looking to lose weight.
Milk thistle aids food digestion and has been used traditionally to relieve an upset stomach.
However, there are only animal model studies so far. More research into the effects of milk thistle on weight loss in humans is needed to confirm this.
2. REDUCES CHOLESTEROL
A study found that cholesterol levels improved after administration of milk thistle. Results of this study would suggest that it was effective in treating metabolic syndrome.
There are other claims that milk thistle benefits weight loss by lowering cholesterol.
3. PROTECTS YOUR BONES
In experimental studies, milk thistle showed it could stimulate bone mineralization, which is the process of calcium filling the bone. When this process isn’t sufficient, exercising may be difficult.
This means milk thistle could potentially be protective against bone loss.
It also benefits the bones through its healthy impact on the liver, which also plays an important role in our bones.
4. AIDS LIVER HEALTH
Milk thistle is often promoted to have incredible benefits for your liver and by extension, weight loss. Some studies show liver functions improve after taking milk thistle.
Modern-day life can be overwhelming to your liver. Reasearch shows that it is used as a complementary therapy regularly to assist in liver damage.
Illnesses like cirrhosis caused by overindulging in alcohol, fatty liver disease, and liver cancer may benefit from milk thistle.
5. IMPROVING ALLERGIC ASTHMA CONDITIONS
In 2012, a study found that the active ingredient in milk thistle can ease inflammation, even in the airways. Treatment in another study found that its anti-inflammatory properties soothe you all the way to your skin.
When it is not in control, asthma can be triggered by exercise and limit the oxygen you need for your workout.
6. REDUCING EFFECTS OF DIABETES FATIGUE
Exercise for a person with diabetes can be different. Blood glucose levels will determine just how much energy a person with diabetes will have before they workout.
Combined with traditional treatment, research suggests that milk thistle decreases blood sugar. It also showed lowered cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes, reducing insulin resistance.
A recent review and analysis found that a measure of blood sugar control was experienced by routine silymarin intake. However, the review is unable to make any firm recommendations as more studies are needed.
7. CELL REPAIR AND A BOOST TO THE IMMUNE SYSTEM.
Studies show milk thistle benefits weight loss by repairing your cells as you exercise. Your body’s ability to recover and repair is crucial for your results.
It may also strengthen the immune response required to fight infections. When you’re healthy and feeling your best, you can be consistent with your regiment.
Those are just some of the ways milk thistle benefits weight loss.
Studies also reflect on other benefits for acne, breast milk production, and age-related neurological conditions.
IS MILK THISTLE SAFE?
Milk thistle is often taken as a safe supplement. In high doses, about 1% of people experienced side effects.
People advised being cautious include pregnant women and those allergic to the Asteraceae/Compositae family of plants like daisies. People with diabetes, liver problems, and certain conditions like breast cancer should also avoid it.
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF TAKING MILK THISTLE?
Milk thistle can trigger allergic reactions in some people. An allergy to some greens like kiwi, daisies, and artichokes can place you at a higher risk.
Also, milk thistle can make some people itch and give you general gut disturbances like nausea, bloating, and sometimes diarrhea.
Moreover, interact with medications, so it is always important to proceed only under your doctor’s advice. Medications that treat blood pressure, high cholesterol, insomnia, and infections are high risk.
Milk thistle, with its diabetic benefits, may lower blood sugar a little more than it should. Thus, checking with your doctor will give you all the answers you need to progress safely.
One of the main risks in consuming milk thistle is to ensure that even in supplements, it’s as natural as it can be. Supplements do not face the same regulation drugs do.
For this reason, milk thistle should only be bought from reputable dealers.
CAN I GET IT FROM NATURAL SOURCES?
There are no other food sources of this herb. Some people have it in a salad, a delicious stir-fry but mostly as a herbal tea and herbal supplement.
However, it’s unclear if adequate amounts would be well absorbed and pass through the blood-brain barrier. Doses to produce that beneficial effect are not well known and yet to be agreed upon.
HOW MUCH MILK THISTLE SHOULD YOU TAKE IN A DAY?
Dosages differ considerably because studies aren’t able to give definitive answers. However, it’s not recommended if you are under 18 years.
One source considers it safe in dosages of 420mg/day orally in divided doses for up to 41 months. An extract with 200 to 400mg of silymarin is considered effective in some liver disorders.
The European Medicines Energy recommends taking 300mg- 600mg of milk thistle, broken down two or three times a day. This is a higher dose than recommended by this source, 20-300mg daily for most people and a higher dose of 150mg if taking for the liver.
After your meals, a cup of milk thistle tea is the advised portion in this holistic herbal teas site showing how milk thistle benefits weight loss.
This discrepancy shows the need for more studies needed to determine what dose and length of treatment are needed.
Overall, that the milk thistle is a fascinating herb that needs no more praise, it may be worth trying alongside conventional treatments.
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