Milk Thistle

The quality of Milk Thistle products on the market varies dramatically. Our Milk Thistle product contains fresh, potent, standardized extract plus 250mg per capsule of micro-ground Milk Thistle Seed. Our product tests (in the laboratory) to 80% silymarin. Remember, if a supplier does not list their concentration, don't buy it because there's no way of knowing what you are getting. 100% Vegetarian capsules are used -- no gelatin.

As per the German Commission E recommendations, our Milk Thistle product also uses complete ground Milk Thistle Seed. It is not just an isolated silymarin extract sprayed on a neutral filler. If there are a variety of active compounds working synergistically (or even independently) we haven't eliminated most of them, just because we believe silymarin to be the main compound producing the desired result. This way, you get a reliable, standard extract, AND all the compounds naturally present in Milk Thistle. Few, if any, other companies use the seed as filler because of the added expense. But, by offering you manufacture-direct-to-consumer pricing (having eliminated all middlemen), we are able to offer you a superior product at a lower price.

No sugar, no starch, no artificial colors or preservatives, no sodium, no yeast, no dairy, no wheat, no corn, no soy, no animal products.

High Potency Liver Support is a specially designed formula created to enhance the health and function of the liver. Reformulated, High Potency Liver Support now contains Resveratrol. High Potency Liver Support Formula contains a potent blend of phytonutrients, including milk thistle seed extract.

High Potency Liver Support is a specially designed formula created to enhance the health and function of the liver. The liver is continually working to keep the body healthy and free of environmental toxins, and High Potency Liver Support Formula has been designed to support this process. Liver detoxification is divided into two phases. In phase I, your liver either neutralizes toxins directly or changes them into something that can be neutralized by one of several enzyme systems in phase II. This product contains important nutrients and supporters of both phases. Read more about High Potency Liver Support...
Milk Thistle has been shown to help protect and rejuvenate the liver in not less than three ways:

1. Milk Thistle is a powerful Antioxidant. Like any bioflavonoid complex, Milk Thistle exerts a powerful anti-oxidant effect. If you need to be reminded of how important anti-oxidants are, please visit our Grape Seed Extract page.
2. Milk Thistle helps protect your liver. Milk Thistle may interrupt enterohepatic recirculation of toxins. The silymarin complex in Milk Thistle puts up a protective "shield" that may help protect against many liver-harming substances.⁷
3. Milk Thistle may help regenerate your liver. Did you know that your liver is the only internal organ in your body capable of regeneration? Milk Thistle's silymarin complex may actually help the liver to synthesize new proteins!⁷

Silibinin and other components of the silymarin complex in Milk Thistle were first discovered to be beneficial in treating liver diseases in Germany several decades ago. A favorite national pastime in Germany is mushroom collecting, a practice with inherent risks, such as the accidental ingestion of Amanita phalloides - the Death Cap mushroom. Consuming the Death Cap mushroom results in severe, usually deadly, liver damage. In fact, those that survive Death Cap poisoning have been so badly damaged that they most often require liver transplants to continue to live. Fortunately, silymarin binds to the liver cells, preventing the mushroom poisons from binding, and thus blocking their poisonous effect. The silymarin is also able to directly neutralize the poison itself, making it effective even if it is taken after the mushroom poison has been ingested. Ampules of milk thistle extract, for this very reason, are kept on hand in German hospitals where it is administered on an emergency basis for treating otherwise fatal Death Cap poisonings.⁷


Milk Thistle Extract is truly a remarkable substance. According to some studies, it can halt and even reverse early stage liver disease in recovering alcoholics.^8,10 If you are someone exposed to chemicals (especially inhalants) on a daily basis, Milk Thistle is for you. Milk thistle has even been shown to be a helpful adjunct in treating Hepatitis B and C.^9,11 It can even help people with cirrhosis of the liver to live longer, but it cannot reverse cirrhosis.^8-11 The best treatment, as always, is prevention through healthful living.


We offer two milk thistle products:

1. Our large (120 vegicaps) Premium Milk Thistle. Each capsule contains 100mg of extract standardized to 80% silymarin plus 250mg of microground whole seed to ensure a complete, balanced product.
2. High Potency Liver Support with Resveratrol (60 vegicaps) is a new product, described above, designed to support and stimulate the liver.
   

The following pertains to Milk Thistle Extract standardized to 70-80% silymarin content. If you are taking it to address problems of alcohol-related liver problems, or as an adjunct to the treatment of cirrhosis, use 200mg, 3x/day (total 600mg). You must give it at least 8 weeks before determining its usefulness for you. If you are taking it as a preventative, half as much will suffice.