Silybum marianum or Milk Thistle is an herb that has been used for thousands of years to treat various ailments and illness. The herb is a tall, stocky, plant that grows fruit, and is native to the Mediterranean. The fruit of the plant contains flavonolignands. These are responsible for the all benefits milk thistle has to offer.
Milk thistle has been used almost primarily to enhance liver health. It is a very powerful antioxidant, and as such helps to remove toxic elements from your body. When alcohol consumption, steroid usage, pollutants, or any other environmental factor damages the liver, milk thistle helps the liver to generate new liver cells. It may also be helpful in reducing the risk of developing gallstones. Its ability to cleanse the liver is well documented in scientific literature. Because of milk thistle's ability to generate new liver cells, current or former alcoholics may benefit from its use. Milk thistle has been shown to enhance liver recovery, and protect the liver from further damage resulting from alcohol abuse.
Health-conscious individuals may find that milk thistle improves their health by removing toxic substances and harmful oxidant's from the body. With the state of today's environment, almost everyone is exposed to pollutants on a daily basis.
Milk thistle functions to protect the liver from harm by detoxifying the body.
Athletes and bodybuilders may benefit from the use of milk thistle. Athletes and bodybuilders typically use many nutritional supplements at one time, in order to boost performance. The use of a number of supplements at one time may produce synergism that results in enormous stress being placed upon the liver.
After a cycle of anabolic steroids, pro-hormones, thermogenics, or any other supplement, athletes may find it helpful to allow the body to rest from supplementation, while taking
Milk thistle to promote liver cleansing and health. Cycling supplements in an on-again-off-again manner, while using milk thistle in between, will ensure liver health and successful performance.
