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Best Milk Thistle Supplement Brands Reviewed for 2023

The Most Comprehensive Wonder Herb Guide 

Ash, ACE, MSc
We provide honest reviews based on a thorough, multi-point testing methodology. We do earn a commission if you purchase through our links, supporting our independent product assessments. View our disclosure for more details.

Ancient herbal medicines have recently enjoyed a modern-day revival of recognition for their potential in improving health. Conventional medicine has noticed several herbal remedies and have been studying them closely for their effectiveness and possible benefit.

One of them is milk thistle or Silybum marianum, which was used by the Greeks and Romans in ancient times, as well as Europeans during the Middle Ages. Its traditional uses have been the treatment of gallbladder, liver, and kidney problems including various ailments for more than two millennia!

Today, milk thistle is taken as an herbal supplement to aid in liver protection, immunity enhancement, and aging process retardation. There are a lot of brands being offered in the market, and in helping you find the best milk thistle supplement, we have done our research and narrowed the options down to the list presented below.

Top 13 Milk Thistle Supplement Ranked:

  1. Jarrow Formulas Milk ThistleBuy here Editor’s Choice 
  2. Herb Pharm Milk ThistleBuy here
  3. Solgar Milk Thistle Herb ExtractBuy here
  4. Paradise Herbs Milk ThistleBuy here
  5. Pure Encapsulations SilymarinBuy here
  6. GNC Herbal Plus Milk ThistleBuy here
  7. Gaia Herbs Milk Thistle SeedBuy here
  8. Solaray Milk Thistle ExtractBuy here
  9. Bluebonnet Standardized Milk Thistle Fruit & Seed ExtractBuy here
  10. NutraBio Milk ThistleBuy here
  11. Puritans Pride Milk Thistle ExtractBuy here
  12. OmniBiotics Milk Thistle Buy here
  13. Zazzee Naturals Organic Milk ThistleBuy here

1. Jarrow Formulas Milk Thistle

Our Editorial staff has unanimously voted Jarrow Formulas Milk Thistle as the best milk thistle supplement brand for the following reasons:

  • Standardized 80% silymarin yield
  • Free from gluten and several other allergens 
  • Non-GMO
  • Optimal for vegetarians and vegans 
  • Potent pure extract of milk thistle 
  • Effective antioxidant source
  • Affordable
Jarrow Formulas Milk Thistle
Jarrow Formulas Milk Thistle

Jarrow Formulas Milk Thistle supplement comes with a high concentration of milk thistle standardized to produce 80% silymarin, which is an essential flavonoid. The compound has antioxidant benefits that help in body detoxification, supports liver function, and improves overall health.

Pros

  • Non-GMO
  • Perfect for vegetarians and vegans 
  • Free from dairy, eggs, gluten, peanuts, shellfish, soybeans, tree nuts, and wheat 
  • Powerful antioxidant source
  • Potent extract of milk thistle 

Cons

  • Contains a small amount of metals

Ingredients

  • milk thistle seed 30:1 extract, 150mg
  • Cellulose  – vegetable-based capsule component
  • Magnesium stearate – a salt comprised of magnesium and saturated fats; used as an emulsifier
  • Silicon dioxide – a safe food additive used as a thickener

Rating

4.6 of 5

Who Produces It?

Established in the 1980s in Los Angeles, California, Jarrow Formulas has since been a leading supplement distributor. Today they have a full line of enzymes, amino acids, herbs, minerals, probiotics, vitamins, and more. Jarrow Formulas Milk Thistle is an affordable, effective, top-quality product manufactured by a reputable brand in a facility strictly adhering to GMP standards. Being on top of our list, we are confident this product is worth your attention and consideration.

Buy at Amazon


2. Herb Pharm Milk Thistle

Herb Pharm Milk Thistle
Herb Pharm Milk Thistle

Herb Pharm Milk Thistle, an easy-to-absorb extract of milk thistle in liquid form, is easily dropped into any drink for consumption. This extract compound contains the same amount of phytonutrients which the seeds of the milk thistle plants do. The Herb Pharm Milk Thistle supplement maintains a traditional herbal formulation.

Pros 

  • Easy to absorb
  • Synthetic solvents free
  • Traditional herbal formula
  • Purity verified and certified organic 
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Has a sharp flavor

Ingredients

  • Extract of milk thistle seeds, 645mg
  • 62-72% cane alcohol – certified organic alcohol from sugar cane and is used for making distilled spirits (alcoholic beverages)
  • distilled water 

Rating

4.6 of 5

Who Produces It?

Established in Southern Oregon in 1979, Herb Pharm has been a leading producer of liquid herbal extracts, adopting a more traditional perspective to organic supplements.  The company’s products reflect the constitution of the very herbs from which the supplements are extracted, rather than having them in concentrates of specific compounds. Plus all their products do not contain any synthetic solvents.

With Herb Pharm, you can be sure that the milk thistle supplement you are getting is as natural as the herb in all respects.

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3. Solgar Milk Thistle Herb Extract

Solgar Standardized Full Potency Milk Thistle
Solgar Standardized Full Potency Milk Thistle

Solgar’s Standardized Full Potency (SFP) Milk Thistle supplement is produced with traditional herbalism and modern herbal technology. It includes extracts of milk thistle seeds with regulated silymarin content, and milk thistle in powder form.

Solgar’s milk thistle capsule is naturally fortified with potent antioxidant blends of ascorbic acid and beta-carotene. The product does not contain dairy, gluten, sodium, soy, wheat, and yeast. It is perfect for vegetarians, offering a viable milk thistle option for everyone.

Pros

  • PhytO2X antioxidant mixture (ascorbic acid, organic beta-carotene)
  • Vegetarian and vegan
  • Free of gluten and other allergens
  • Non-GMO certified
  • Kosher certified

Cons

  • Expensive 

Ingredients

  • 80% silymarin, extract of milk thistle, 175mg – main medicinal component of milk thistle
  • Powdered milk thistle, 300mg

Rating

4.5 of 5

Who Produces It?

Since its founding in 1947, Solgar has been a leading and reputable producer of premium quality health supplements. The company manufactures all their products in GMP-certified facilities that exceed industry standards and distributes them with precise guidelines to consumers within the organic products industry. 

Solgar’s Milk Thistle supplement is guaranteed as a safe high-quality product from a company known as “The Gold Standard” in the health supplement industry. However, it’s a bit more expensive compared to other brands.

Buy at Amazon


4. Paradise Herbs Milk Thistle

Paradise Milk Thistle
Paradise Milk Thistle

Paradise Herbs Milk Thistle supplement is rich in antioxidants, supports healthy liver function, regulates stress and blood sugar levels, and promotes overall wellbeing. The product is extracted, processed, and packaged in vegan capsules using all-natural manufacturing methods. It can be taken alone or with Paradise Herbs’ Artichoke extract to enhance detoxification efforts.

Pros 

  • No fillers and additives
  • Free from gluten and other allergens
  • Non-GMO
  • Naturally grown without pesticides, fertilizers, or harmful chemicals 
  • Comes in convenient vegan capsules

Cons

  • No FDA-approved therapeutic claims

Ingredients

  • Standardized 80% silymarin extract of milk thistle seeds, 250mg
  • Vegetable cellulose – a natural capsule component

Rating

4.2 of 5

Who Produces It?

Made by Paradise Herbs, this dietary supplement brand adopts traditional methods employed by the Euro-Native Americans, Chinese, and Hindu Ayurvedics. Since its founding in 1994, the company has since been devoted to providing top-quality natural health products. 

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5. Pure Encapsulations Silymarin

Pure Encapsulations Silymarin
Pure Encapsulations Silymarin

Pure Encapsulations Silymarin milk thistle supplement is a potent hypoallergenic herbal product that comes in a convenient capsule form.  It has no artificial colors, coatings, egg, flavors, gluten, hydrogenated oils, peanuts, preservatives, shellacs, sweeteners, and wheat. It promotes healthy liver function and overall well being. However, further studies are required to prove the brand’s claims.

Pros 

  • Non-GMO
  • Vegetarian capsule form
  • Rich in antioxidants 
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Standardized silymarin extract

Cons

  • Expensive 

Ingredients

  • 80% silymarin extracted from milk thistle seeds, 250mg
  • Vegetable cellulose – a natural component of the vegan capsules

Rating

4.7 of 5

Who Produces It?

A highly reputable hypoallergenic supplements manufacturer, Pure Encapsulations fosters nutrigenomics as a focus of all their efforts in producing premium nutritional supplements for consumers. The company backs their products with scientific research and a unique education platform for consumers and health practitioners to further their efforts in promoting healthy lifestyles.

Pure Encapsulations Silymarin is a top-quality milk thistle supplement made by a trusted brand. Guaranteed to be completely hypoallergenic and pure, it does come at a hefty price compared to other milk thistle supplemental offerings.

Buy at Amazon


6. GNC Herbal Plus Milk Thistle

Gnc Herbal Plus Milk Thistle
Gnc Herbal Plus Milk Thistle

GNC Herbal Plus Milk Thistle is a highly potent herbal supplement that comes in caplet form. The product supports healthy liver function, aids in body detoxification, and promotes general wellbeing.  

Pros 

  • Potent milk thistle dosage
  • Vegetarian
  • Contains powerful antioxidants
  • Non-GMO 
  • Allergen free

Cons

  • Expensive 

Ingredients

  • Standardized extract of milk thistle, 1300mg (50% silymarin, 650mg)
  • Vegetable glycerine – a natural sugar alcohol derived from plants
  • Cellulose – natural capsule component
  • Maltodextrin – a starchy substance safely used as food additives to improve flavor or as an extender

Rating

4.7 of 5

Who Produces It?

GNC has become the largest brand in the supplement industry since its creation in 1935. The company is a successful supplement brand that guarantees consumer satisfaction through intensive quality control measures. All their products are manufactured using GMP-certified processes and facilities. Those products include digestive aids, herbs, minerals, natural remedies, superfoods, and vitamins. They also offer fitness and protein supplements, as well as personal care and weight management supplements.

GNC’s Milk Thistle supplement contains only 50% silymarin, but with a large herb extract, the resulting potency is still considerably high. However, that fact makes the product rather more expensive compared to other brands.

Buy at Amazon


7. Gaia Herbs Milk Thistle Seed

Gaia Herbs Milk Thistle
Gaia Herbs Milk Thistle

Gaia Herbs Milk Thistle Seed comes in the company’s patented Phyto-caps for convenient consumption and quick absorption. It contains standardized amounts of silymarin flavonoids, providing high potency. The supplement claims to promote healthy liver function and helps in body detoxification.

Pros 

  • Rich in antioxidants
  • Gluten- and dairy-free
  • 100% vegetarian
  • Comes in Liquid Phyto-capsules
  • Non-GMO

Cons

  • Expensive 

Ingredients

  • Extract of milk thistle seeds, 450mg ( 80% silymarin, 360mg)
  • Sunflower lecithin – a natural emulsifier that is known to enhance liver function
  • Vegetable glycerin – a plant-based sugar alcohol
  • Hypromellose –  a vegetable-based gelatin substitute used as capsule body

Rating

4.8 of 5

Who Produces It?

An industry leader, Gaia Herbs grow and harvest their herbal ingredients on their own 100% organic farm! They use a unique extraction technique featuring low pressures and temperatures to preserve essential phytochemicals. The company catalogs each batch of plants for their unique traceability program that allows their customers to determine the precise origin of the supplements they purchased. 

Gaia Herbs guarantee that all their products are pure and optimal for all consumer types. Their milk thistle supplement is high quality that also comes with a premium price.

Buy at Amazon


8. Solaray Milk Thistle Extract

Solaray Milk Thistle
Solaray Milk Thistle

Solaray Milk Thistle Extract contains standardized 80% silymarin fortified with potent extracts of dandelion roots, artichoke leaves, and turmeric root blended to support a healthy liver function.

Pros 

  • Non-GMO 
  • High potency
  • Vegan 
  • Allergen free
  • Antioxidant-rich 

Cons

  • Not suitable for pregnant or lactating women

Ingredients

  • 80% silymarin extracted from milk thistle, 175mg
  • Organic rice blends (whole and extract) – a mixture of white, brown, and red rice rich in essential minerals, phytochemicals, and fiber
  • Vegetable cellulose – a natural capsule component
  • Silica – a safe food additive

Rating

4.6 of 5

Who Produces It?

Nutraceutical Corporation manufactures the supplements for subsequent worldwide distribution by Solaray as its flagship brand, together with more than a thousand various other similar products. The company was established in Utah in 1973 and brought into the Nutraceutical family in 1993. All their products pass through a strict quality control process that guarantees top-quality and safety for all users.

Buy at Amazon


9. Bluebonnet Standardized Milk Thistle Fruit & Seed Extract

Bluebonnet Milk Thistle
Bluebonnet Milk Thistle

BlueBonnet Standardized Milk Thistle contains a potent blend of milk thistle fruits and seeds extracts and is encased in a vegetable capsule for convenient consumption and quick absorption. The Standardized 80% silymarin ingredient is obtained by utilizing a gentle and clean water-based process of extraction that preserves the herb’s essential components.

Pros

  • Antioxidant-rich 
  • Non-GMO
  • Optimal for vegetarians and  vegans 
  • Kosher certified
  • Free from gluten and other allergens

Cons

  • Not recommended for pregnant and nursing women 

Ingredients

  • Extracts of milk thistle fruits and seeds (80% silymarin),175mg

Rating

5 of 5

Who Produces It?

For almost 30 years, BlueBonnet Nutrition has been producing high-quality natural supplements with their farm-to-market philosophy that ensures potent and affordable products. The company has dedicated its efforts to the building of consumer confidence and trust by obtaining various global certifications and approvals such as the USDA organic standards, Non-GMO Project verifications, and NSF.

Buy at Amazon


10. NutraBio Milk Thistle

Nutrabio Milk Thistle
Nutrabio Milk Thistle

NutraBio Milk Thistle contains extracts of European sourced herbs processed in GMP certified facilities in the US. It is a potent supplement that comes in convenient vegan capsules for easy absorption by the body. It is known to support healthy liver function and promote overall well-being, but these claims have not been reviewed by the FDA, and need further studies.

Pros 

  • Pure and potent
  • Vegan
  • Non-GMO
  • No excipients, fillers, and hidden ingredients
  • Affordable 

Cons

  • A bit expensive

Ingredients

    • Milk thistle extracts (80% silymarin), 241mg
  • Vegetable cellulose

Rating

4.0 of 5

Who Produces It?

Established in 1996 in New Jersey, NutraBio offers a line of health supplements including amino acids, herbs, kosher supplements, minerals, muscle and sport supplements, proteins, vitamins, and supplements for weight loss. The company is partnered with third-party labs that test raw ingredients and finished products to guarantee purity, potency, and safety. They have even created a website to allow consumers access to the laboratory test results as part of their transparency campaign.

Buy at Amazon


11. Puritans Pride Milk Thistle Extract

Puritans Pride Milk Thistle
Puritans Pride Milk Thistle

Puritans Pride is a household name in health supplements and so it only made sense to include them in our list.

The rapid-release concentrated milk thistle that they offer is certainly an option to consider seeing as they are a top value brand. A single serving contains 250mg of the active ingredient equivalent to 1,000mg of the whole herb. 

We wouldn’t hesitate to offer Puritans Pride products. 

Pros

  • Very trusted household name brand
  • Rapid-release soft gels formula 
  • Gluten-free

Cons

  • Few users not pleased with a few of the other ingredients
  • Contains soy

Ingredients

  • Milk thistle extract (silybum marianum) (seed) (a 4:1 extract, equivalent to 1,000mg whole herb)
  • Soybean oil
  • Gelatin
  • Vegetable glycerin
  • <2% of: natural caramel color, soy lecithin, titanium dioxide color.

Rating

4.4 of 5

Who produces it?

Puritans Pride was established in 1973 with the mission of providing the highest quality supplements and a good overall value. Their products are manufactured in the USA and go through rigorous testing to ensure purity and potency. 

Buy at Amazon


12. OmniBiotics Milk Thistle

Organic Milk Thistle Capsules
Organic Milk Thistle Capsules

OmniBiotics is a max strength formula containing 1.500mg of certified organic milk thistle per serving. According to the product label, this product offers 50% more milk thistle than other 1,000mg products. 

In addition, they use a proprietary extraction process that supposedly enhances the potency of the product due to being a highly-concentrated version. This could potentially improve how the milk thistle is absorbed and therefore enhance the desired effects. 

It’s also a USA-made supplement. 

Pros

  • Max strength formula (1,500mg per serving)
  • CCOF certified organic milk thistle 
  • Lab-verified formula 
  • Gluten and soy-free
  • Vegan-friendly 
  • GMO-free

Cons

  • Few complaints about quality 

Ingredients

  • Organic milk thistle seed (silybum marianum) 4:1 concentrated extract (equivalent of 1,500mg milk thistle)
  • Pullulan (capsule)
  • Organic rice powder

Rating

4.3 of 5

Who produces it?

The OmniBiotics brand has medical professionals and chemists backing its products to ensure they can offer the highest quality scientifically-supported supplements and customer service possible. 

The products are made in the USA and are FDA-approved which gives everyone involved peace of mind. 

Buy at Amazon


13. Zazzee Naturals Organic Milk Thistle

Zazzee Usda Organic Milk Thistle
Zazzee Usda Organic Milk Thistle

Last on our list is a milk thistle product with a pretty snazzy name like Zazzee.

Their milk thistle contains 7500mg per dose from a potent 30:1 extract that is supposedly 30x stronger than basic old milk thistle. The formula is standardized to 80% silymarin flavonoids which is equivalent to 200mg of milk thistle; the highest dosage of silymarin flavonoids on the market. 

It’s an organic, USA-made product that is top-notch in our opinion.

Pros

  • Potent 30:1 extract 
  • USDA certified organic 
  • Gluten-free
  • Vegan-friendly 
  • Non-GMO 

Cons

  • Few complaints about capsules 

Ingredients

  • Organic milk thistle (from 250mg of a 30:1 extract) (standardized 80% to 200mg silymarin flavonoids)
  • Organic pullulan (vegetarian capsule)
  • Organic stabilizer blend (organic rice powder, organic rice hulls, organic acacia powder, and organic sunflower oil)

Rating

  • 4.2 of 5

Who produces it?

From the brand, “At Zazzee Naturals, we take pride in producing high-quality supplements at a superior value, with an emphasis on innovation and natural ingredients. 

Buy at Amazon


How we ranked

There are vast numbers of milk thistle supplements existing in the market, and they claim to offer hundreds of wonders for you. Because we know choosing one can be very challenging, we give you a list of the criteria we used to evaluate each product.

Brand promise

Is the brand promising to remedy an illness within a month completely, and all you need is to take a few capsules or liquid drops? Be cautious of companies making fantastic claims. Remember that wellness and overall healthy body function is not an overnight success, but a tedious and protracted effort. 

Brand character

Are you familiar with this brand or company? Are they known in the health and wellness industry? Maybe you know a friend or acquaintance who is familiar with them? You can check them out in Better Business Bureau or Trustpilot to make sure there is nothing suspicious about the brand before making any choices.

Product format

Many milk thistle supplements come in capsule or tablet form, while others come in powder form. The form does not affect the product’s effectiveness so that you can make any choice according to your preference.

Quantities and amounts

Always be mindful of the number of capsules or tablets per serving, as well as per container. This step also applies to products in powder form. All those features affect the overall product value.

Value for your money

At times, the price can be an indication of quality or, in the case of supplements, potency; if it is very low compared to other brands, the dosages may not be enough or include unproven components. On the other hand, if it is too expensive, it should have the correct amounts of essential ingredients.

GMO-free

An essential factor, the milk thistle supplement must not contain any genetically modified organism.

Presence of metallic compounds and allergens

The milk thistle plant is naturally grown or cultivated. As such, there should be no heavy metals present. Although some brands include small amounts of magnesium and silicon in the supplement, these are not of considerable quantities as to constitute some danger to the continuous consumption of the supplement.

Another vital indication is the absence of allergens like gluten, egg, lactose, soy, corn, and others. Most of the brands utilize hypoallergenic ingredients, and in the case of the vegetable cellulose used on the capsules, these are completely safe.

FDA/cGMP certifications and approvals

It is crucial to discern that a product contains safe and high-quality ingredients. One perfect way to find out is by checking if the products are made in cGMP/FDA approved or certified facilities and processes.

There are other third-party certifications and seals for other essential matters about ingredients and components. Some of these are the Halal and Kosher certifications, the Ecocert, USDA, EU Organic, Naturland, and others.

User comments

In instances when you don’t have acquaintances that have tried the product before, you can check out websites like iherb.com or Amazon, as well as other online sites associated with health and wellness campaigns.

Who Should Buy Milk Thistle Supplements?

People who consume alcohol beverages

Alcohol has been a popular drink since ancient times and is extensively consumed worldwide. In the US, around 86.4% of the population in 2015 has had at least one alcoholic beverage in their life. Moderate alcohol consumption is generally not harmful, although when taken in large volumes at a single instance, it puts a strain on the liver in cleaning it out of the body.

The Elderly

Aging adults may take advantage of milk thistle’s anti-inflammatory benefits. The main ingredient, the phytochemical called silymarin, is a potent antioxidant that may aid in supporting the body’s immune and digestive systems by mitigating their oxidative damages.

How to Choose a Good Milk Thistle Product?

A top-notch milk thistle brand should be extracted from the seeds of milk thistle plants. The seed contains the active flavonoid silymarin. Most of the effective supplements based on milk thistle include standardized extracts with at least 80% silymarin content.

The product must also be processed in GMP-certified facilities to ensure strict adherence to FDA standards.

Carefully check the product label making sure that there are no compounds that may potentially disguise harmful ingredients. That way, you can tell exactly what’s in the supplement.

Finally, your milk thistle selection must be produced and distributed by reputable brands, and offer premium herb extracts.

What Are Milk Thistle’s Benefits?

Milk thistle potentially aids in boosting the body’s immunity, promotes healthy liver function, and counteract free radicals. It also has anti-inflammatory abilities that may help in reducing inflammation in your digestive system, joints, and others.

Here are the common benefits of milk thistle:

Antioxidant properties

Milk thistle contains a vast amount of antioxidants known as bioflavonoids, foremost among them is silymarin. The compound aids in removing toxins from the body and reduces oxidative stress. It also lowers the risks of several health concerns such as cancer, diabetes, kidney stones, skin injuries, among others. In our body, helpful milk thistle syntheses function in the same manner as known antioxidants like ascorbic acid and vitamin E. The lipophilic extract of milk thistle acts as a potent bioflavonoid antioxidant, which protects the body against damages due to free radicals. That also means milk thistle can have a few anti-aging characteristics, albeit needing more research.

Liver function

Milk thistle has been believed to aid in removing liver toxins, potentially improving the organ’s health and function. It has been utilized extensively in the past to remedy liver diseases, and modern scientists have noted its effectiveness in mitigating oxidative liver stress. The effects are generally attributed to the bioflavonoid antioxidant content of milk thistle, which protects against damage due to oxidative stress and in improving immunity.

Cancer

Researchers have noted some promise indicated by milk thistle in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells and potentially reducing cancer risks from developing at all. The effects are credited to milk thistle’s high flavonolignan (thereby, the potent antioxidant silymarin) content. Silymarin is believed to decrease cancer development risks by combating DNA damage, enhancing immune functions, and reversing cancer cell growth. Through several reviews of clinical trials, the University of Minnesota discovered that silymarin provides compelling preclinical evidence that suggests hepatoprotective and anticarcinogenic influences, and may impede the spread of malignant cells in breast, cervical, prostate, and skin cancer. Further research is required, but so far, results are encouraging.

Cholesterol

Because of milk thistle’s well-documented anti-inflammatory features, it has the potential to help lower high cholesterol levels.  Reducing inflammation may aid in improving heart health, reducing oxidative stress, and cleaning the blood. A combination of all these factors could possibly lower cholesterol levels. Initial evidence shows improvements in both LDL- and total cholesterol levels when traditional medicines for cholesterol treatment are taken simultaneously with milk thistle. Researchers mostly observed that effect in diabetic persons, and only during instances wherein patients used milk thistle in addition to other treatments. Further research is required.

Diabetes

Diabetic individuals would do well to note that silymarin, milk thistle’s active antioxidant component, could help in improving insulin and glucose levels. That effect is believed to come from the positive effect milk thistle provides the liver, as the latter plays a vital role in the regulation of insulin and hormones.

Milk thistle shows notable promise in various studies and research tests. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects are reported in detail, and the properties may have extensive potential benefits. In general, milk thistle promises to be a highly beneficial supplement that requires more clinical studies.

Side Effects

Throughout most of the milk thistle’s more than two millennia of widespread use, the herb has not been reported to cause adverse side effects. Still, some individuals could experience allergic reactions, bloating, headaches, nausea, and others.

As a precaution, pregnant women and nursing mothers should refrain from taking the supplement. Individuals who have pre-diagnosed conditions or are taking medications metabolized by the CYP3A4 liver enzyme must consult their doctors before taking any milk thistle supplement products.

It is best to consume milk thistle products with one glass full of water. Several milk thistle supplements may be optionally taken with food.

Milk Thistle Stack Combinations 

Milk thistle may be combined with other supplements to improve efficacy or to benefit a specific health issue.

Here are some excellent stack combinations:

Milk Thistle with Dandelion Root and/or Artichoke Extract 

Dandelion root and artichoke extracts both stimulate the bile flow from our liver, to ensure effective detoxification and digestion. The ensuing combination stack is perfect for supporting a healthy liver function.

Milk Thistle with Turmeric

A highly potent anti-inflammatory, turmeric can help in supporting milk thistle’s benefits to the immune system, and prevent inflammations from damaging the liver. Turmeric also provides potent anti-aging properties.

Milk Thistle with Berberine

a compound present in various herbal remedies, berberine has a helpful effect on cardiovascular health and metabolism and is a powerful antioxidant. The two supplements provide a potent stack combo to alkalize or detoxify the body and boost immunity.

FAQs

What is Milk Thistle?

Milk thistle herbs mainly grow in the vast plains of continental Europe. It got its name from a milky white substance that oozes from the plant when you cut its stem. The plant has long stems with purple or pink flowers and green leaves dotted with white specs.

What is the main use of milk thistle?

Milk thistle has been historically used by ancient peoples as a medicinal herb to treat gallbladder, liver, and kidney ailments. More recently, milk thistle has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, so its use has become popular again.

What are milk thistle supplements?

Milk thistle supplements are the modern popular form of consuming the herb. Ripe seeds of milk thistle are processed to extract a beneficial flavonoid called silymarin. Most supplements based on milk thistle herbs come in various forms like capsules, extracts, tinctures (liquid drops), and silymarin compounds.

What is silymarin?

Silymarin is an essential phytochemical that gives the milk thistle herb its medicinal qualities. It  helps the liver repair itself by growing new cells. Research has shown that silymarin can do that by increasing the reparative glutathione levels in the liver. 

Recap 

We hope that with this comprehensive guide, you are now able to make an informed decision in choosing the best milk thistle supplement. 

Looking at the list of the top brands we presented, you may notice only slight differences in their characteristics. That is because they are all high-quality, renowned brands dedicated to provide consistent customer satisfaction and wellbeing. Here is where the criteria of selection comes in handy, as you get more detailed knowledge in checking for subtle differences in the brands’ products, services, and reputation. Of course, at the end of the day, the option that fits your needs and preferences would stand out and prove to be the best.

At this juncture, we would like to reiterate the prudence of consulting your doctor before purchasing or consuming any health dietary supplements. Good luck!


If you have any questions or need further clarification about this review, please leave a comment below, and Ash will get back to you as soon as possible.

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Ash, ACE, MSc
Ash, ACE, MSc
Ash is a highly respected fitness expert and certified personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise (ACE). With a B.A. in biology from Rutgers and an M.S. in Exercise Science (Kinesiology) from CBU, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her work. Ash is dedicated to helping people achieve their fitness and health goals through personalized training and nutrition plans. With a passion for fitness and a deep understanding of the science behind healthy living, she is able to create effective and sustainable programs that deliver real results. Whether you're looking to lose weight, build muscle, or just feel better in your own skin, Ash is the expert you can trust to guide you on your journey to a healthier and happier life.
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