Evidence brief · Supplement
Milk Thistle (Silymarin) for Liver enzymes
Evidence grade C — Sometimes improved
- Overall grade
- Grade C
- Last revised
- 1
- graded outcome
- 0
- references listed
Assembled by the app from other entries in this library. It adds no evidence of its own — follow the links to the entries it draws on.
1 at grade C — 1 graded row
What is known
Each outcome with its grade (how strong the evidence is, A to D), the size of the effect where the entry records one, and how often studies agree.
- Liver enzymesEvidence grade C
Sometimes improved
Smallmixed
What is uncertain
Read off the same rows as above. Nothing here is added that the entry does not itself record.
- Thin evidence: Liver enzymes (grade C).
The evidence in words
The verdict
For liver enzymes, Milk Thistle (Silymarin) earns evidence grade C (small effect, mixed consistency) — the evidence is limited or mixed. Sometimes improved
How it might work
Silymarin is antioxidant and appears to stabilize hepatocyte membranes and support regeneration, with anti-inflammatory activity.
How to use it
200–400 mg silymarin daily if used; it is an adjunct, not a treatment.
Safety & cautions
Very safe; occasional GI upset. Not a substitute for medical care in liver disease.
Bottom line
Benign and popular but underwhelming on hard outcomes. Fine as an adjunct; not a reason to skip real liver care.
How it is used
As the entry records it, from the studies it summarises. Not a recommendation for you — doses that suit a trial population may not suit you.
- Standard
- 200–400 mg silymarin daily.
Goes with
- Milk Thistle (Silymarin)Read the full Milk Thistle (Silymarin) monographEvidence grade C
Related reading
Entries that share this one's tags or conditions.
- Glutathione for Fatty liver markersEvidence grade C — ModestEvidence grade C
- Glutathione for Oxidative stress markersEvidence grade C — Raised storesEvidence grade C
- Milk Thistle (Silymarin) for Glycemic control (diabetes)Evidence grade C — ModestEvidence grade C
- Vitamin E for All-cause mortality (high dose)Evidence grade C — Meta-analysis suggests slight increase ≥400 IUEvidence grade C
Sources
This entry lists no references of its own — it is assembled from the entries it links to, whose sources are on their pages.
Last revised . A grade is this entry's reading of the evidence, not medical advice.