Health Benefits of Milk Thistle
Are you looking to improve your health?
Milk thistle may be the answer.
This herb has been used for centuries to treat various ailments, and recent research has shown it can be effective in treating liver disease, diabetes, and more.
Watch this video to learn more about the health benefits of milk thistle and how you can incorporate it into your life.
1. Protects Against Liver Damage
Milk thistle has been used for thousands of years to help treat liver problems.
It contains a chemical called silymarin that helps protect the liver from damage and stimulates the regeneration of liver cells.
A study published in a journal of Phytomedicine found that milk thistle may help treat a condition known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
It is a condition that results when the liver becomes inflamed and enlarged due to the accumulation of fats, and it’s a common condition that affects up to 25% of the U.S. population.
The study included 48 adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and found that milk thistle effectively improved liver function and reduced the amount of fat in the liver within one month.
Milk thistle is available in a tincture and can be found at many health food stores.
To use milk thistle, take a supplement containing it in the recommended dosage on the bottle.
2. Reduces Stress
Milk thistle is also famous for its calming effects on the mind and body.
It can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
It is more effective in treating symptoms of stress than some prescription drugs.
This herb is a natural antidepressant that helps improve brain function and increase the production of serotonin, the hormone responsible for happiness and mood.
It works by reducing the number of stress hormones in the body and increasing your ability to deal with stress.
The effects are noticeable after just a few weeks of use.
3. Boosts Brain Functions
Another way to use milk thistle is for its neuroprotective properties.
It helps protect neurons from oxidative stress, which is vital because neurons are susceptible to oxidative stress and can get damaged.
In a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience Research, researchers looked at how milk thistle affected mice injected with amyloid-beta.
Amyloid-beta is a protein that causes Alzheimer’s Disease and is present in the brains of people with it.
The mice were given one of three different doses of milk thistle for eight weeks.
The researchers found that the mice given milk thistle had less amyloid-beta in their brains and better motor skills than the control group.
4. Treats Heart Disease
Milk thistle can help treat heart conditions.
It effectively reduces symptoms of congestive heart failure, including shortness of breath and fluid retention.
The herb has antioxidant properties that may help prevent damage to the heart by free radicals.
It does so by helping to repair the lining of blood vessels and reducing inflammation.
Milk thistle contains an active ingredient, silymarin, which protects the heart against damage from a heart attack.
Research has shown that silymarin can reduce the risk of death following a heart attack by 50 percent.
It also reduces the severity of heart failure symptoms in people with chronic heart failure.
5. Reduces Acne and Improves Skin Condition
Milk thistle has been used for centuries to treat acne.
It reduces the inflammation, redness, and severity of acne.
It also helps reduce oil production in the skin and is an effective treatment against blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and other forms of acne.
Thanks to its silymarin content, it can also reduce scarring and dark marks associated with acne.
The herb neutralizes the harmful effects of free radicals and reduces the inflammation of acne.
It is also effective for treating other skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea.
6. May help cancer
Milk thistle and extracts of milk thistle, such as silymarin, are rich in antioxidants and may have some medical uses. However, more research is necessary to prove its effectiveness. Research is exploring silymarin and milk thistle and their potential use as a breast cancer treatment alongside traditional therapies to either protect cells or reduce potential side effects. However, milk thistle is not for everyone, as there may be some risks involved. More human studies are necessary to determine whether or not it is effective. Anyone who is looking to use milk thistle for any health condition should consult a doctor first.
7. Treats High Blood Pressure
Blood pressure can be a devastating condition.
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