Milk Thistle Benefits: Weight Loss

Do milk thistle benefits extend to weight loss? As you know, obesity is one of the major problems nowadays, and it is generating other health issues, such as hypertension, diabetes, heart diseases, and more. According to a report by the world health organization 2016, 650 million people are obese in the world. Various studies proved that weight gain or obesity promotes health issues, so we can neglect obesity or weight gain problems.

Therefore, people try different things to shed extra weight. Many people try shortcuts for losing weight, but these shortcuts just give you instant results that are not long-lasting. That is why people ask how to get rid of obesity which should be for the long term? And answer to this question is “use milk thistle”, yes milk thistle aids you in weight loss.

In this article, we guide how milk thistle promotes weight loss and will provide you with a comprehensive guide about milk thistle usage.

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What is milk thistle?

Milk thistle, also known as Silybum marianum and St. Mary’s Thistle, is from the Asteraceae family. According to reports, It is present in sunny regions like Europe, Africa, and Asia. Milk thistle has a tall and slender stem. It has purple flowers, spiny green leaves, and sharp thorns.

Additionally, it is very beneficial in herbal medicine due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These compounds are known as sallying.

Research is being carried out on milk thistle’s potential to treat liver diseases such as cirrhosis and fatty liver disease. It is also used for the treatment of high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. 

What nutrients does milk thistle contain?

Milk thirst is an herb that contains a lot of healthy nutrients. It has an active ingredient called silymarin, which is effective for weight loss and helps reduce other health issues. Additionally, it contains other nutrients like

  • Essential mineral
  • Potassium
  • Calcium
  • Phosphorus
  • Chloride

Moreover, the milk thistle contains other chemical compounds, such as:

  • Isosilybin
  • Silybin
  • Taxifolin
  • Iso Silychristin
  • Silychristin

Milk thistle and weight loss?

There is hype that milk thistle is effective for weight loss. Scientists did various studies and they found that Milk thistle helps you in your weight loss journey. But there is little evidence about its action in weight loss. Research was done recently on mice to check out the effect of milk thistle on obesity. The mice ate similar quantities of food, the mice lost 5 percent of their weight after using milk thistle.

Research on human beings showed the effects of milk thistle on insulin resistance and inflammation.

How does milk thistle help in weight loss?

The milk thistle is effective for weight because it contains nutrients that aid in promoting weight loss and fat loss. Here are some reasons which make the milk thistle effective for weight loss:

Helps with cravings:

Most people gain weight just because of their cravings; many people crave things like sugar, fried food, junk food, etc. These things cause weight gain. But milk thistles keep them full for a longer period and aids in suppressing their craving. When people crave less, they eat less and don’t gain weight.

According to a report, people who take milk thistle don’t crave sugar because it balances the blood sugar because a maintained blood sugar causes less craving for the sugar and sugary products.

Improves digestion:

The milk thistle helps to aid digestion which helps the body to lose weight. One main reason for weight gain is the disturbed digestive system. The milk thistle is a powerful digestive agent. But the milk thistle helps to improve digestion and strengthen the stomach. The milk thistle reduces the gas problem, bloating, etc.

Moreover, the liver plays a role in digestion, and milk thistle increases liver bile production, increasing the digestion of food.

Additionally, when people overeat, milk thistle supplementation helps the body to remove toxins and reduce weight. According to experts, milk thistle supplementation also helps with indigestion, improves metabolism, and burns fat. 

Cut fat from the body:

Bloating is the cause of weight gain and other issues. Blotting makes the digestion process slow, which promotes weight gain. But use of milk thistle helps in the loose weight and fat from body etc.

Reduce bloating:

Weight gain also causes the accumulation of fat in the body. The liver helps to cut fat from the body, and the milk thistle helps improve liver health.

The liver helps remove toxins from the body, and the milk thistle fastens the removal of toxins from the body. When toxins are removed from the body, fat starts burning, and people lose weight.

plate of milk thistle seeds and milk thistle flower in background isolated on white

Recommended dosage:

The route of administration of milk thistle is usually oral in capsule or extract form. The recommended dose is 420 mg thrice a day for a normal person who has no medical issues. But if you are a hepatitis patient, you should consume 420 mg/d, and for dyspepsia patients, 1 ml is the recommended dosage of milk thistle.

Additionally, for diabetic patients, 200 mg of milk thistle three times a day is safe. They can take it three times a day, but they should speak with the doctor if they want to increase the dose.

In all cases, it is best for you to consult your medical provider.

How long does milk thistle take to work?

It totally depends on the person’s health and the quantity of the milk thistle. According to the report, you should take milk thistle capsules or supplements for three months for better results. According to a report, people who took milk thistle supplements for three months saw a reduction in the fatty liver.

Additionally, the experts claim that it’s safe to use milk thistle for weight loss for a long time. If you see no results after using the milk thistle, increase its dose and don’t skip a daily dose. Definitely, you will see good results. A study report claims that milk thistle for up to 40 months shows good results and is safe for health.

How to use Milk Thistle?

There are different ways to take milk thistle for different purposes, such as for weight loss, liver health, diabetes, etc. Milk thistle is available in powder form, capsule, tablets, and drops. You can take milk thistle in any way according to your health and choice, and it will give you great results and effectiveness. As you know, many people don’t like to consume tablets and capsules, so there is good news for them: they can take the milk thistles in dropper form.

Additionally, you can take the milk thistle supplements with different things like tea, juices, soup, milk, and other food items. If you want to lose fat, add the milk thistle into hot water and leave it for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, drink this tea. If you want to add something to it to enhance the taste, you can only add natural honey and lemon to it. For weight loss, don’t include sugar in it.

Safety precautions:

According to an NIH report, milk thistle does not have any adverse side effects, but it isn’t completely risk-free.

Common side effects of milk thistle are git disturbance like mild diarrhea and nausea. Some people also feel headaches and joint swelling. Few people feel lower appetite, skin irritation, rashes, etc.

People who have an allergic reaction to plants resembling milk Thistle may feel adverse side effects.

Milk thistle is contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Other health benefits of milk thistle:

The milk thistle offers various health benefits such as:

  • Beneficial for liver cirrhosis
  • Stops the age-related decline in brain activity
  • Beneficial for bones
  • Can make cancer treatment more effective
  • Boosts the breast milk production
  • Is used to treat acne

Can people with fatty liver consume milk thistle for weight loss?

Yes, the milk thistle is effective for weight loss for people with fatty liver. As you know, people with fatty liver gain too much weight and fat on the body. Few searchers proved that the milk thistle helps to cut fat from the liver of people with fatty liver disease.

What is the best time to take milk thistle?

If you want to get rid of your acid reflux, bloating, or any other stomach problems, then you should take it half an hour prior to a meal.

milk thistle flower and milk thistle tincture in bottle isolated on white background

Which medication should not be used along with milk thistle?

  • Drugs used to treat allergy
  • Drugs for high cholesterol levels
  • Anxiolytic drugs
  • Aspirin
  • Cancer drugs
  • Drugs metabolized by the liver

Final words on milk thistle benefits:

Milk thistle is a very famous herbal remedy worldwide. It has been used in medicine for centuries, and IT has antioxidant properties that are beneficial for the cure of liver disease and diabetes type 2.

Nowadays, milk thistle is being used to lose weight. Because it helps to avoid weight gain issues like food craving, overeating, etc. When you want to lose weight, snacking becomes the biggest challenge. Milk thistle stops your cravings.

Cravings for sweet things are due to low blood sugar levels, and Thistle makes the blood sugar normal. Thus you don’t crave sweet things anymore. In addition, it strengthens the stomach which also helps to lose extra pounds. Lower the bloating issues

But there is more evidence needed about its action on weight loss.

Moreover, it is safe to use milk thistle, but it can cause an allergic reaction in some people. You must contact your doctor before consuming milk thistle.

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