SILYMARIN COMPLEX FOR LIVER DISORDERS
by Michael T. Murray, N.D.; published in "Health World" spring
1987
The liver is the most important organ of metabolism disruption
of normal liver function results in significant disruption of all
metabolic processes. The metabolic functions of the liver include
regulation of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism, storage of
viatmins and minerals, and detoxification reactions.
Since the liver is the major site of detoxification of toxic
chmicals in the body, it is also at a very high risk against damage
by such chemicals as DDT; dioxin, 2,4,5-T; 4-D; PCB; and PCP. It is
not known to what degree Americans are exposed to these toxic
compounds, but it is probably quite high as yearly production of
synthetic pesticides alone exceeds 1.4 billion pounds. In addition,
many drugs and alcohol are also known to damage the liver.
Avoidanceof these damaging chemicals is the first defense
against liver damage. The second defense may be the use of a
Silymarin Comples. Silymarin Comples is composed of concentrated
extracts of herbs which have demonstrated remarkable effects in
protecting the liver from chemical damage and in improving liver
function in experimental studies. These herbs have a long history
of use in a wide variety of conditions. Their success is probably
related to a common property: they improve the function of the
liver.
SILYBUM MARIANUM (MILK THISTLE)
The common milk thistle contains some of the most potent
liver-protecting substances known. The concentration of these
components is highest in the fruit. Silybums effect of preventing
iver destruction derives from its ability to inhibit those factors
that are responsible for the damage. Liver destruction occurs
primarily as a result of certain toxins producing or acting as free
radicals; highly reactive compounds that damage other molecules.
Silybum componenets prevent free radical damage by acting as
antioxidants.
These components are many times more potent in antioxidant
activity than Vitamin E is.
Another way in which the liver can be damaged is by the action
of leukotrienes. These compouds are produced by the transfer of
oxygen to a polyunsaturated fatty acid. This reaction is catalyzed
by the enzyme lipoxygenase. Silybum components inhibit this enzyme,
thereby inhibiting the formation of damaging leukotriense.
The common milk thistle contains some of the most potent
liver-protecting substances known.
Perhaps the most interesting effect of silybum componenets on
the liver is their ability to stimulate protein synthesis. The
result is an increase in the production of new liver cells to
replace the damaged old ones.
CLINICAL TRIALS OF SILYBUM MARIANUM
The protective effects of silybum angainst liver damage have
been demonstrated in a number of experimental and clinical studies.
Experiemental liver damage in animals is produced by such diverse
toxicants as carbon tetracloride, galactosamine and praseodymium
nitrate. Silymarin, a complex of three compounds isolated brom
Silybum marianum, has been shown to protect against liver damage by
all of these agents.
Perhaps the most impressive of silybum's protective effects is
in protection against severe poisoning of Amanita phalloides, the
death cup or toadstool muchroom. Interesting enough, silybum has a
long folk history of treating death cap ingestion. Ingestion of
amanit phalloides or its toxins causes severe poisoning, and a
death rate of approximately 30%. In the animal experiments, if
silymarin was administered before aminita toxin poisoning, it was
100% effective in preventing the toxicity of the mushroom. Even if
the silymarin was given 10 minutes after the amanita toxin, it was
able to completely couteract the toxic effects. If given within 25
hours, silymarin weill prevent death and greatly reduce the amount
of damage to the liver.
In human studies, silymarin has been shown to have significant
postive effects in treating several liver diseases, including
cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis. In summary concentrated silybum
marianum extract offers significant protection against liver
damage: 1. by preventing free radical damage; 2. by preventing
formation of damaging leaukotrienses; and 3. by stimulating the
production of new liver cells.
The following links will take you to more information about
Milk Thistle:
The Merits
of Milk Thistle
"Prevention's" Milk
Thistle Article
Milk
Thistle and Licorice in the Therapy of Liver Disease
Milk
Thistle, Nature's Liver Protector
Abstracts of
clinical trials with silymarin
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