Milk thistle is a commonly prescribed botanical medicine for the liver. It has been proven effective as a treatment for liver diseases including hepatitis and cirrhosis as well as an aid in detoxification. Recently researchers in Iran found that the active constituents in milk thistle may also help control blood sugar.
The study, published in Phytotherapy Research, measured the effect of silymarin in Type 2 diabetics on conventional medication. Silymarin is the primary active compound in milk thistle.
A total of 51 participants were randomized to receive 200 mg three times a day for four months or placebo. After the study period blood sugars were compared between the two groups.
Those participants in the silymarin group had improved fasting blood sugars compared to the placebo group. Each participant followed similar treatments with the exception of the silymarin.
The researchers were optimistic about the results. They could not determine from this study the mechanism by which silymarin exerts the postive effect on blood sugar, but suggest some role with normal liver function and blood sugar metabolism.
It is important to note that silymarin was not the sole therapy, each person remained on their prescribed medications for blood sugar control. In this particular study the milk thistle compound was an adjunctive treatment.
Milk thistle is safe and relatively non-toxic. It can affect the metabolism of certain drugs by the liver and anyone taking medication should notify their physician before starting milk thistle.
Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on November 1, 2006 04:21 PM
