Thoughts on the use of Milk Thistle

Does anyone have opinions on whether or not it is worth trying?  Not much research on it, so my first reaction is don't bother, but it seems alot of people believe it does some good.  Since I have to wait to get the pre-treatment clearances, and then wait for the approval of my application for treatment it could be two months before I start and was wondering if I should try it.

Lauren

[fretboard]

There have been studies on Milk Thistle, but nothing has ever been proven conclusively.  The only things you will see on the MT websites, are stories that are supposedly written by ppl who are pleased.  Nobody has any idea who writes that stuff, for real.  For all anyone knows the owner of the website writes all that stuff themselves.  LOL  If I failed tx I may be willing to try all kinds of herbal stuff, until then I will tx.  

[Odin999]

I have used Milk Thistle (Silymarin) for several years. It won't eradicate HCV at all.  I can't back my statement up with lab test results, but I definitely did feel some benefit from using it. I have seen numerous similar comments. Hepatitis Researcher (see Health Pages) has commented on it also.

Apparently it is not a good idea to use Silymarin while on TX though.

Have you tried using "Silymarin" in your search criteria? Just a thought.

[Odin999]

Have you seen this?

Milk Thistle: Effects on Liver Disease and Cirrhosis and Clinical Adverse Effects. Summary, Evidence Report/Technology Assessment: Number 21, September 2000. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD.

www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcsums/milktsum.htm

[copyman]

there must be something beneficial with it because it is in studies right now. a top hepatologist from a univer hospital I consulted with said they are doing the study and it  looks very promising.

[Magnum]

I've used it for at least five years on a daily basis with no adverse effects. If you figure the relatively inexpensive cost and the fact that no one has ever said Milk Thistle has caused liver or any other problems, why not try it? Both my Hepatologist and Gastroenterologist know I use it and never said anything negative about it, nor did they ever tell me to use caution or to stop using it.

Wal-Mart sells the Rexall brand for about $6. It is 1000mg per soft gel and you get 90 capsules or 1.5 months worth.

Magnum

[globalgemba]

Milk thistle does not cause liver damage - it helps maintain liver function.  The plant contains a fruit which when ripe contains a trio of compounds collectively called silymarin which is the active ingredient in the herb.  It has been used medicinally to heal the liver since the middle of the 1st century(its origin is in Europe).  There is all sorts of info out there- but just remember, like any manufactured drug that gives certain people side effects, herbs can as well.  Always consult a reputable physician before taking anything.  Since this virus is attacking your liver - I have chosen to FIGHT back.  I try to maintain a healthy lifestyle- ---using all natural products (food, clothing, personal hygiene, ie soaps, shampoos, deoderants, etc) eliminating as many chemicls as possible.  no alcohol (not even in my mouthwash) and being cognizant of my health in general.  Also, trying to keep a positive attitude and laughing as much as possible!   After all your liver functions poorly because of toxins, improper diet, overeating, and drugs (any substance that is foreign and unatural to the body, ie caffeine, alcohol.  

[Magnum]

Please read the conclusion part

http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/166/11/1190

Magnum

[copyman]

After thinking about it I just realized that HR (a hepatitis researcher that stops by here once in awhile) never really had much to say about this supplement. And was not part of his suggested supplement regimen. I do take it myself along with some other supps/vitamins but not sure if it has helped or not. Maybe we will hear more about it after these current studies are completed.

[Rockerforlife]

, five of seven studies evaluating milk thistle for alcoholic liver disease found significant improvements in liver function. Those with the mildest form of the disease appeared to improve the most. Milk thistle was less effective for those with severe liver disease such as cirrhosis.

http://www.***.***

[fretboard]

Here's a relatively recent study that was done by Halt-C, you will have to make up your own mind on this herbal tx.  I've read that a couple of ppl have had digestive and problems with fiber or diarhhea.  Most ppl who are on this forum who have taken it have had positive effects.  For the price I would try it, it doesn't appear to lower bloods, but maybe someone will chime in on that.  later  


Herbal product use by persons enrolled in the hepatitis C Antiviral Long-Term Treatment Against Cirrhosis (HALT-C) Trial.Seeff LB, Curto TM, Szabo G, Everson GT, Bonkovsky

HL, Dienstag JL, Shiffman ML, Lindsay KL, Lok AS, Di Bisceglie AM, Lee WM, Ghany MG; HALT-C Trial Group.

Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. ***@****

Herbal products, used for centuries in Far Eastern countries, are gaining popularity in western countries. Surveys indicate that persons with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) often use herbals, especially silymarin (milk thistle extract), hoping to improve the modest response to antiviral therapy and reduce side effects. The Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-Term Treatment Against Cirrhosis (HALT-C) Trial, involving persons with advanced CHC, nonresponders to prior antiviral therapy but still willing to participate in long-term pegylated interferon treatment, offered the opportunity to examine the use and potential effects of silymarin. Among 1145 study participants, 56% had never taken herbals, 21% admitted past use, and 23% were using them at enrollment. Silymarin constituted 72% of 60 herbals used at enrollment. Among all participants, 67% had never used silymarin, 16% used it in the past, and 17% used it at baseline. Silymarin use varied widely among the 10 participating study centers; men were more frequent users than women, as were non-Hispanic whites than African Americans and Hispanics. Silymarin use correlated strongly with higher education. No beneficial effect of silymarin was found on serum alanine aminotransferase or hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA levels. Univariate analysis showed significantly fewer liver-related symptoms and better quality-of-life parameters in users than nonusers, but after reanalysis adjusted for covariates of age, race, education, alcohol consumption, exercise, body mass index, and smoking, only fatigue, nausea, liver pain, anorexia, muscle and joint pain, and general health remained significantly better in silymarin users. In conclusion, silymarin users had similar alanine aminotransferase and HCV levels to those of nonusers but fewer symptoms and somewhat better quality-of-life indices. Because its use among these HALT-C participants was self-motivated and uncontrolled, however, only a well-designed prospective study can determine whether silymarin provides benefit to persons with chronic hepatitis C.

[virgocharm]

when i first found out i had hep c in november 2007. i was so fatigue and in pain.  so i educated myself on different ways to handle this dragon., milk thisle was the first thing. it took away all my liver pain,  my liver was enlarged, it reduced it, i guess back to normal. i am not fatigued anymore.as a matter of fact, i have more energy, than i ever had.  i took it for 6 months with liver  care 52. i changed my diet. raw vegetables and fruits are my best friends now. low carbs and protein, vitamin supplements. i have insurance, so im awaitin tx. milk thistle did work, but became too expensive.

[pjhep80]

i have been taking milk thistle for years now... my ast/alt are lower than ever (just about normal) and my viral load has dropped also...

so i guess its doing something...

i also just started taking liv-52... do a search on it, its been around a long time and very well researched so they say

[lchou]

I just started taking it two days ago and it may be psychological but I do seem to feel better.  I had the best nights sleep last night that I have had in a long time.  At this point I am willing to try just about anything.

[HCA]

I think the notion that milk thistle is not adviseable on treatment is an urban myth.
When the clinical trials for peg were done milk thistle was not allowed because obviously they didn't want some on and others not in case it skewed the results.
I suspect that over the years this been translated into it being 'bad' for treatment.
How could anyone possibly know unless there was a milk thistle and non milk thistle arm and who was going to waste time and money on that.
If anyone knows better please let me know.

[ohio nurse]

I saw a hepatologist at Ohio State University Medical Center for the first time 3 weeks ago and thats the thing he reccommended for me. I am 1a nonresponder and his goal is to preserve my liver as much as possible as he believes there will be a new treatment in a couple of years that I will be able to take. Though he didn't say what. He does believe that the milk thistle does protect and regenerate liver cells, I guess I'll know if next tests are better.

[globalgemba]

Thanks for the caffein link!  Now i do not have to feel guilty about having a coffee (i have always been partial to an ice coffee for 35 plus yrs).  I did read about the studies on coffee, and have been regulating diet, vitamins, minerals to best serve my body chemistry and hope with each blood work i can show improvement in my livers function and health.  It helps to take your mind off it as well.  My daughter has me convinced to take a scuba dive course and I am probably going to do it- should do a body (& mind) good!!!

This is a great forum - glad i found it and all of you wonderful informative folks!  THANK YOU.