Milk thistle silymarin extracts make up some of the most popular liver tonics. A very common plant, it was used by traditional healers to treat diseases of the liver and gall bladder. Modern studies have shown that it is active against liver cancers. Hepatitis C patients commonly use it as a complementary medicine to relieve pain, nausea and fatigue.

It is included as an ingredient in some of the better multi-nutritional supplements on the market. Alone, it does not have high bioavailability, meaning that very little ends up in the bloodstream. But, when added to lecithin, a fat found in soy and sunflower seeds, the bioavailability is ten times higher.

In addition to their use as liver tonics, milk thistle silymarin extracts are also used to protect the liver from drugs that are potentially toxic to it. There are some 900 different drugs that are potentially toxic to the liver.

The human body identifies drugs as foreign substances or toxins. It takes action against them to make them suitable for elimination. The central role of the liver in clearing toxic chemicals from the body makes it susceptible to drug induced injury. Some of the common drugs that are known to cause liver damage include acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Some naturally occurring substances are toxic to the liver, as well. One of these is the ?death cap?, a kind of poisonous mushroom. Chemically modified milk thistle silymarin extracts are injected to treat death cap poisoning. This well-known use supports the purported benefits of dietary supplementation.

In addition to having a positive effect on the liver, the extract may help prevent prostate, lung and colon cancers. It is currently being studies as a preventative measure and a treatment for various types of cancer. Many other plants are being studied for their anti-cancer activity, as well. For example, curcumin, from turmeric, is the current subject of three separate trails.

Many researchers believe that we can greatly reduce our risk of cancer by increasing our intake of natural anti-inflammatories and antioxidants found in plant foods and herbs. Nutrient intake is another factor. Low levels of calcium and vitamin D have recently been identified as being associated with various types of cancer.

Doctors have found that vitamin D deficiencies are common in the United States. Pediatricians recently raised the daily recommended dosage of vitamin D for children and suggested that supplementation should continue into adulthood.

Milk thistle silymarin extracts will not prevent vitamin deficiencies, but they are included in some of the better multi-nutritional supplements. Some debate about the benefit of dietary supplements, but recent research has shown that fresh fruits and vegetables are not as nutrient-rich as they were just 50 years ago. It is practically impossible to get all of the nutrients that you need every day without overeating. Some experts believe that is the root cause of the obesity epidemic.

To sum it up, milk thistle silymarin extracts may be beneficial for relieving pain, nausea and fatigue. It helps support the liver and reduces your risk of cancer. It is not the only important plant compound that we know of, just one of the few that is known to protect the liver.