• Silymarin is the main ingredient in milk thistle extract and helps not only your liver, but also your other body systems (intestines, gall bladder, circulatory and lymphatic systems)detoxify, getting rid of the bad stuff that can affect your health. 
• It acts as a powerful antioxidant, protecting your liver from chemicals called free radicals.  Free radicals are introduced to your body by outside toxins, and are created by natural processes in your body. 

The Liver
The liver performs over 500 physiologic functions, including protein and glucose synthesis; carbohydrate metabolism; vitamin and mineral storage; synthesis of clotting factors; urea formation; metabolism of medications; and the production of bile. The liver also assists in hormonal regulation, blood glucose control, and other regulatory functions.¹

The liver plays a vital role in the body's detoxification processes, which requires it to be continually exposed to harmful chemicals. Toxic chemicals include food additives, solvents, pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, alcohol, and certain medications. The unique ability for liver tissue to regenerate is in part dependent on the ability of the liver to effectively eliminate toxins.¹

Harmful substances that have been neutralized by the liver are carried to the intestines and kidneys for excretion. They are transported by bile, a greenish, watery solution that is synthesized by the liver. Stored in the gallbladder, a small sac cupped in the under surface of the liver, bile is also required for the digestion of dietary fats. When dietary fats are consumed, bile flows from the gallbladder to the intestines where it emulsifies fats and fat-soluble vitamins for absorption.1

Milk Thistle
The most bioactive compound in milk thistle is silymarin, a mixture of flavonoids with a long history of liver support.†^2-4 Silymarin supports the health of Kupffer cells, specialized liver cells responsible for removing bacteria, old blood cells, and other foreign matter from the liver's blood supply.†^1-4 Silymarin scavenges free radicals (superoxide anion radical and nitric oxide) produced by activated Kupffer cells, supports healthy leukotriene levels, and supports glutathione production that is used in detoxification.†^2-5

Silymarin also supports the health of hepatocytes, highly versatile liver cells with unique physiologic functions.†^1-4 Studies of silymarin have demonstrated that it supports the health of the hepatocyte outer membrane, which is crucial to the liver's detoxification processes.†⁶ Silymarin also supports the healthy regenerative ability of the liver through support of protein synthesis in the hepatocytes.†⁷

The use of silymarin in several clinical studies has established silymarin's safety in particular and milk thistle's safety as a whole.†^8-13 Concomitant use of silymarin and other compounds in milk thistle with chemotherapeutic agents has been examined.†¹⁴ Researchers have also studied milk thistle's safety and support of liver health in a variety of health situations.†^15-22

Artichoke Leaf Extract, Dandelion Root Extract, and Licorice Root Extract
Artichoke extract specifically supports healthy bile production in the liver²³ and healthy gastrointestinal function in general.†^24,25 Research into artichoke's gastrointestinal supportive properties has included at least three clinical trials.†^26-28

Dandelion root extract supports healthy bile flow from the gallbladder.†^29,30 Licorice supports the healthy flow of bile³¹ and the immune system.†^32,33 Licorice also has a long history of providing healthy gastrointestinal support through the stimulation of natural protective factors and the support of healthy prostaglandin metabolism.†^34-36

Phytosome
A special, patented process known as Phytosome enhances the absorption of milk thistle in Super Milk Thistle . The Phytosome process pairs herbal ingredients with phosphatidylcholine molecules. Phosphatidylcholine is a naturally occurring substance found in soybeans, egg yolks, and some vegetables. In the body, phosphatidylcholine is an important building block of cell membranes.

When milk thistle (or other herbs) are bound with phosphatidylcholine, the phosphatidylcholine molecule facilitates absorption through the intestines into the bloodstream.† Research has shown increased blood and serum levels for phytosome herbs in comparison to the individual herb alone.†^37,38

To test whether binding an herb with phosphatidylcholine increased its bioavailability, researchers gave volunteers identical amounts of either milk thistle alone, or milk thistle phytosome. The researchers then took blood samples from the participants and measured the level of silybin (a key compound in milk thistle). The measurements showed that silybin levels in participants taking the phytosome form of milk thistle were higher, and that silybin was detected for a longer time, than those who took milk thistle without the phytosome delivery system.³⁷

SUMMARY

Super Milk Thistle  provides nutritional support for healthy liver function.† The ingredients in Super Milk Thistle , artichoke, dandelion, licorice, and milk thistle, support many liver processes, including healthy liver detoxification, regeneration, bile formation, bile flow, and prevention of free radical damage.

References:
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