How much milk thistle should I take for elevated liver enzymes?

Milk thistle is marketed as capsules or tablets containing ethanol extracted silymarin in amounts of 250 to 750 mg and is purported to be beneficial for liver disease, including alcoholic and viral liver disease. The daily dosage varies but it is typically taken 2 to 3 times daily.


How long does it take for milk thistle to lower liver enzymes?

It depends. Sometimes it can take up to 3 months for a milk thistle supplement to show its benefit. Our best advice is to stick with it, as it'll benefit you in the long run for sure! As for milk thistle dosage for fatty liver, a 90-day study found that 250-376mg of milk thistle per day helped reduce liver fat.

Can milk thistle lower high liver enzymes?

Studies confirm that milk thistle can protect liver function, prevent liver damage, and normalize elevated liver enzyme levels.


Can I take 2000 mg of milk thistle daily?

Milk thistle is generally considered safe for most people at dosages up to 420 mg 3 times a day. However, it may cause allergic reactions, such as itching, headaches, and joint pain, or gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea or diarrhea.

Is 300 mg of milk thistle too much?

There is no standardized dosage or recommended intake for milk thistle tea, but it's generally considered safe if consumed in moderation. Milk thistle supplements, for reference, are tolerated at doses of up to 700 mg, 3 times per day for 24 weeks ( 1 ).


8 Benefits of Milk Thistle for the Liver



What should I avoid while taking milk thistle?

Milk thistle may interfere with the following medications, because both milk thistle and these medications are broken down by the same liver enzymes:
  • Allergy drugs. ...
  • Drugs for high cholesterol. ...
  • Anti-anxiety drugs. ...
  • Antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs (blood thinners). ...
  • Some cancer drugs. ...
  • Drugs broken down by the liver.


What time of day is best to take milk thistle?

For Milk thistle, using it on an empty stomach (at least 15 minutes before food) makes it work faster than after meals. If the person has a very sensitive liver and tend to over-react it is a very good idea to take it after meals to buffer reactions.

How long should I take milk thistle for liver?

Early research shows that taking milk thistle extract by mouth for up to one year, or taking a product containing the milk thistle constituent silybin plus phosphatidylcholine by mouth for 1 week, improves liver function tests. But other research shows no benefit.


Can milk thistle detox your liver?

Supports liver health

The active ingredient in milk thistle, silymarin, acts as an antioxidant by reducing free radical production. Scientists think this creates a detoxifying effect, which is why milk thistle may be beneficial for liver problems.

How much milk thistle should I take for fatty liver?

Although there is no standardized milk thistle dosage at this time, most people do best consuming between 20–300 milligrams daily. If you're taking milk thistle for the liver, the recommended daily intake of milk thistle is 150 milligrams, taken one to three times daily.

How can I lower elevated liver enzymes fast?

Natural ways to lower ALT levels
  1. Drinking coffee. Drinking coffee can help to lower ALT levels. ...
  2. Exercising regularly. ...
  3. Losing excess weight. ...
  4. Increasing folic acid intake. ...
  5. Making dietary changes. ...
  6. Reducing high cholesterol. ...
  7. Taking care with medications or supplements. ...
  8. Avoiding alcohol, smoking, and environmental toxins.


How do I lower the enzymes in my liver?

Increase folate consumption

Introducing folate-rich food to the diet and taking folic acid supplements can help lower elevated liver enzymes. One 2016 study linked folate deficiency with increased ALT levels and liver damage and found that folic acid reduced ALT levels in people with liver damage.

How long does it take to lower liver enzymes?

Sometimes, factors such as hormonal changes or reactions to medications can cause temporarily elevated liver enzyme levels. Elevated levels caused by these factors will generally return to normal in about 2 to 4 weeks without treatment.

What are the negative side effects of milk thistle?

Side effects of milk thistle include:
  • Abdominal bloating/pain.
  • Allergic reactions.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Gas.
  • Indigestion.
  • Itching.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Nausea.


How much milk thistle per day for liver?

The available forms of Milk thistle are capsules, tablet, tincture and intravenous solution. Adult dosage in terms of hepatoprotection is 420 mg/day of extract (standardized to 70-80% silymarin) three times a day for 6-8 weeks.

Does milk thistle reduce liver inflammation?

Medical research on milk thistle and liver health has led to mixed results. Studies show that silymarin may help ease inflammation and promote cell repair. This may help ease symptoms from liver diseases like jaundice, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and fatty liver disease.

What is the best drink to flush your liver?

Here is a list of drinks that help in natural cleansing and detoxification of the liver according to Medical News.
  • Coffee. Coffee is good for the liver, especially because it protects against issues such as fatty liver disease. ...
  • Ginger and lemon drink. ...
  • Oatmeal drink. ...
  • Tumeric drink. ...
  • Green tea. ...
  • Grapefruit drink.


What is the fastest way to cleanse your liver?

Reducing or eliminating all animal protein, alcohol, sugar, wheat, corn, soy, tobacco, processed foods, caffeine, and nuts will give your liver a much-needed break to do some long-overdue house cleaning.

How do you know when your liver is healing?

You will experience physical signs your liver is healing, such as healthier-looking skin and eyes, increased energy levels, and reduced stomach pain and swelling. Other signs your liver is healing include: Improved amino-acid regulation – Your liver processes proteins and amino acids that your body cannot store.

Is 500mg of milk thistle too much?

Dosing. Milk thistle is considered safe in dosages of 420 mg/day orally in divided doses for up to 41 months.


How can I detox my liver in 3 days?

The 3-day detox juice cleanse involves consuming only blended juices and water for 3 days.
...
In general, the following steps are taken in a specific order:
  1. Morning detox tea.
  2. Breakfast drink.
  3. Supplements.
  4. Lunch drink.
  5. Supplements (multivitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and probiotics)
  6. Snack drink.
  7. Dinner drink.
  8. Detox ultra-bath.


Is it best to take milk thistle on an empty stomach?

The seeds and leaves of this natural herb can be consumed on an empty stomach before your meals for best results. Milk thistle is known to draw out the toxins from your body.

Does milk thistle affect the heart?

to boost heart health, says a new study.


Can I take milk thistle with other vitamins?

No interactions were found between milk thistle and Vitamins.

Does milk thistle affect sleep?

Sleep quality also improves. The effect of taking milk thistle by itself is not known. Multiple sclerosis. Early research suggests that taking a combination supplement containing silymarin, a chemical found in milk thistle, can improve mental function and promote disease stabilization in people with multiple sclerosis.