Use of Milk Thistle to improve your health

What comes to your mind when you think about milk thistle? Milk product! No, it’s not. Is this Plant? For those who don’t know what milk thistle is let me tell you milk thistle is an annual or biennial plant bearing the scientific name Silybum marianum. It is related to the daisy and ragweed family. It is basically famous for its activity in treating liver diseases. This prickly plant has white veins and distinctive purple flower.

Nativity and history: It is native to Southern Russia, Southern Europe, Asia Minor and Northern Africa. It is also found in South and North America and South Australia. The traditional stories regarding this plant say that the distinctive character is obtained by a drop of the virgin Mary’s milk falling onto the leaves. The main component present in this plant is silymarin and it is most often used as herbal supplement in the US for liver problems (1).

Constituents: It contains several flavonoids i.e. silymarin. The most active one is silybin (2).

Hepatoprotective in nature: Milk thistle is found to have hepatoprotective activity. Seeds contain lipophilic extracts, which have powerful bioflavonoids that boost immune strength and reduce oxidative stress (3). A study done in 2016 revealed that milk thistle improved diet-induced liver damage in mice (4). It also helps in alleviating liver inflammation and have improved the condition of patients suffering from liver problems (5).

Potential health benefits of milk thistle

Maintains Bone health:  There are many problems these days related to bones. Osteoporosis is one of them. It develops slowly, weakens bones and makes it fragile. Milk thistle may play a potential role in supporting bone health. Researches have shown that milk thistle is found to enhance bone mineralization and helps in protection against progressive bone loss (6-7). Further studies are still required to confirm the effect.

Effective against cancer:  Milk thistle might be helpful in limiting the spread of cancer. It is suggested that silymarin has anticancer effects, which could be helpful for people receiving cancer treatment (8). It is also found that it might be helpful against certain side effects of cancer treatment (9). In certain circumstances, it might also destroy cancer cells.

Alleviates insulin resistance: It is a problem in diabetic patients. Milk thistle might alleviate blood sugar in people who have type 2 diabetes. A study on mice has revealed this effect still it needs more concrete evidences (10). The risk of certain complications like kidney diseases can also be alleviated by the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of milk thistle.

Promotes breast milk production: Milk thistle might help in breast milk production. It works by enhancing the milk producing hormone prolactin. A study on mothers taking 420mg of silymarin for 63 days enhanced the milk production (11).

Boosts immune system: Milk thistle might help to strengthen immune response and help to fight infection. A study on the animal in 2016 found that milk thistle extract improved the immunity when consumed (12).

Improves skin health: It may be used topically to improve skin health. It has an anti-oxidant and anti-ageing effect on human skin cells. A study in 2015 found that milk thistle could help to improve inflammatory skin conditions (13).

Words of caution

• · Milk thistle is well tolerated in recommended doses, people might suffer from gastrointestinal side effects.

•  Might show an allergic reaction

• People should discuss with a doctor before taking it.

• Milk thistle may interact with some medications. If a person is already receiving treatment for liver conditions he/she should be cautioned.

References:

• https://nccih.nih.gov/health/milkthistle/ataglance.htm

• https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=19&contentid=MilkThistle

• https://www.truthnutra.com/blogs/news/milk-thistle-benefits

•  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27387273

•  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27517806

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19577454

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23781510

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27517806

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26858957

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27387273

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19260380

• https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00071668.2015.1121537?journalCode=cbps20 
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26345246

Why Saw palmetto is a blessing for men?

Men also face many problems regarding their health, skin, etc. In our day to day life, our body encounters with different chemicals, environment and pollution which weakens our immune system thus leading to different health issues. All living beings suffer because of this.

There are many health problems which only men suffer and for those health issues saw palmetto can be the best solution. Till now saw palmetto has been the best friend for men. It even works wonders in women.

What is saw palmetto?

Saw palmetto is a plant. Its ripe fruit is used to make medicines. Its extract is used to treat many kinds of diseases like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and might be also used in the treatment of prostate cancer. It is a native to the southeastern United States. Saw palmetto plant bears white flowers and berries that turn yellow but when it ripens it turns to blue-black. American settlers used this as a treatment for their urinary and prostate problems.

It is estimated that around 2 million people from the United States are consuming products containing saw palmetto. A European study published in June in Eur Urol. 2006 reported that around 43% of men taking saw palmetto are experiencing significant relief from prostatic symptoms (1).

Health benefits:

Helps to prevent prostate cancer: In US prostate cancer is the common form of cancer in males. It can be treated if found in early stage. According to research, Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is the main reason for prostate enlargement which may be the cause of prostate cancer (2). Saw palmetto have impacts on male hormone DHT. Blocking 5-reductase which is essential for converting testosterone to DHT can alleviate the chances of prostate cancer. Saw palmetto supplement is 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, it slows down the conversion of testosterone to DHT by blocking the enzyme and stopping its formation. Saw palmetto extract helps in decreasing the growth of prostate cancer cells (3). For this reason, many people suffering from prostate cancer take supplements of saw palmetto along with some traditional treatment or allopathic medicines.

Increases libido: Saw palmetto primarily affects testosterone pathways, as a natural aphrodisiac. It has been known to enhance the sex drive and libido in both men and women (4). Women can also get benefitted in their intimate steps with saw palmetto supplementation. Testosterone plays a role in both men and women's sex drive. It is linked to fertility because it affects the production of both sperm and eggs. People may take saw palmetto to increase their testosterone levels and it might help them experience an enhanced libido.

Treats Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH): Saw palmetto may help treat benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH, which is commonly known as an enlarged prostate. It is a growth of the prostate that is not due to cancer. It inhibits testosterone from binding to and stimulating prostate cells, which reduces the multiplication of prostatic cells and prostatic enlargement. It also helps to increase testosterone naturally and improve prostate health without significant side effects.

Saw palmetto’s ability to treat BPH is conflicting, according to some researches. In a study in 82 men aged 30 years and older, saw palmetto decreased symptoms of BPH (5). In a study of 100 men aged 45 and older found no difference in treating BPH after 72 weeks of saw palmetto.

Urinary tract health: Saw palmetto supports the urological system in men who have benign prostatic hyperplasia. Saw palmetto might be helpful in the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). It also helps to cure urinary dysfunction and overactive bladder. Saw palmetto is also beneficial to treat weakening urinary organs in elderly people or women after menopause, as it strengthens the urinary organs. It has been recommended as a natural remedy for kidney stones. A study (DB-RCT) in 85 men with LUTS found that saw palmetto given over 24 weeks was more effective in improving symptoms than placebo (6).

Boosts immune system: Saw Palmetto has been known to generally enhance the immune system, particularly for mild conditions such as colds, coughs, and sore throats. It is not the most popular use of saw palmetto extract or its supplements. (7) Headaches and migraine sufferers have also claimed that saw palmetto works as an anti-inflammatory agent and reduces pain and discomfort.

Other uses:

It increases the muscle mass. It alleviates kidney disorders. It is beneficial for hair growth. It is also beneficial for the women in some ways.

Word of caution:

Saw palmetto appears to be very beneficial for overall health but it can also negatively interact with blood thinners and prostate medication.

Saw palmetto may have side effects which include diarrhoea, nausea, dizziness, abdominal pain, headache, rhinitis, and constipation.

As it can be also used by women, but pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid (8).

References

1.       http://www.drdalepeterson.com/Dales-Blog.html

2.       https://www.lybrate.com/topic/prostate-cancer

3.       https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16093232

4.       https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02862068?&utm_medium=26083

5.       https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11777363

6.       https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11744467

7.       https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022534705676318

8.       https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK216069/