THE CLAIM
Milk thistle is good for the liver.
THE FACTS
The seeds of the milk thistle plant have been promoted for centuries as a remedy for liver ailments. These days they are widely available as a herbal supplement, with US sales reaching about $95 million in 2008.
Extracts of the plant are said to contain compounds that protect the liver against toxins with few side effects. But studies have yet to provide proof of their benefits.
In a report in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in 2007, researchers combined data from randomised clinical trials of the effects of milk thistle on patients with liver disease. They found that many of the studies were poorly designed. But they ultimately concluded that milk thistle had “no significant effect” on mortality or complications from liver disease.
Since then, other studies have produced some interesting findings, including a 2009 study led by Columbia University scientists that found that milk thistle reduced liver toxicity in children undergoing chemotherapy. The National Institutes of Health says it is financing research into the effects of milk thistle on hepatitis and other liver disorders. But in the meantime, the agency says, the results from most studies are mixed and inconclusive.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Studies do not lend much support to milk thistle’s reputation as a liver protector.