Health care function of milk thistle

Milk thistle is a common medicinal plant with a variety of functions in health care:
Protect the liver
Repair liver damage: Silybin, the main active ingredient in milk thistle, can prevent or reduce the damage of harmful substances to liver cells, and promote the repair and regeneration of liver cells. In some cases of liver damage caused by drugs, alcohol or viral infections, silybin has shown a good repair effect.
Enhance liver detoxification function: It can increase the level of antioxidants such as glutathione in liver cells, improve the antioxidant capacity of the liver, and also induce the synthesis of enzymes related to detoxification process, such as cytochrome P450 enzyme series, thereby speeding up the metabolism and excretion of toxins, drugs and other harmful substances in the body.
Antioxidant: Silybin has a phenolic structure, which enables it to provide hydrogen atoms, combine with free radicals in the body, convert free radicals into relatively stable substances, thus interrupting the free radical chain reaction and reducing free radical damage to cells and tissues. This antioxidant effect helps prevent the occurrence and development of a variety of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and so on.
Cholesterol reduction: Milk thistle is able to reduce cholesterol synthesis by inhibiting the activity of the cholesterol-synthesizing rate-limiting enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-Coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase in the liver. At the same time, it can also promote the conversion of cholesterol into bile acids, increase the excretion of bile acids, and thus reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood. Clinical studies have shown that long-term use of milk thistle related preparations can help improve dyslipidemia and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Despite its many health benefits, milk thistle is not a substitute for medication to treat disease. Before using milk thistle supplements, especially for people who are taking other medications or have health problems, consult a doctor for advice.