Milk Thistle
Paradise
Milk Thistle
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(2489 ratings)
Milk Thistle 250 mg
Score 75.0
A highly cost-effective and popular Milk Thistle supplement with a good standardized Silymarin dose, offering excellent value for liver support.
Quantity: 120 Capsule(s)Servings size: 1 Vegetarian Capsule(s) (120 servings)
Selected goals:
Other goals:
Detoxification
Skin Health
leaderboard Score 75.0
A highly cost-effective and popular Milk Thistle supplement with a good standardized Silymarin dose, offering excellent value for liver support.
insights Analysis
Paradise Milk Thistle delivers 250mg of standardized Silymarin from Milk Thistle seed extract per serving. Its key strength lies in its exceptionally low price per serving ($0.12), which makes it highly cost-effective for a standardized extract. The product boasts a high review count, signifying its popularity and reliability among users. While the 250mg dose is a solid foundational amount, some alternatives offer higher doses if more intensive support is needed, but for its price, it's an outstanding option.
- Offers a good 250mg of standardized Silymarin, crucial for effective liver support.
- Very low price per serving, providing excellent value for a high-quality standardized extract.
- High review count (2406) demonstrates widespread customer satisfaction and trust.
- While 250mg is a good dose, some studies suggest higher doses (e.g., 420-600mg) for more intensive therapeutic effects.
- May not be suitable for individuals seeking multi-ingredient liver support formulas.
$15.69($0.13 per serving)
 Pure Formulas | $ 15.69 | |
 iHerb | $ 17.49 | |
 Amazon | $ 17.49 | |
 Vitacost | $ 17.89 |
bolt Effectiveness for goals
Milk Thistle, primarily through its active compound silymarin, is widely studied for its potential to support liver health. Research suggests it may offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits to liver cells. However, more comprehensive studies are ongoing to fully understand its extent of effectiveness.
Historically, Milk Thistle has been used in relation to alcoholic liver disease, and some studies suggest it may help shield liver cells from alcohol-related harm. While it shows potential, it is not considered a cure or a replacement for conventional medical treatment and abstinence. Its role is primarily supportive.
Milk Thistle is often associated with supporting the liver's natural detoxification processes due to its antioxidant properties. It may help protect liver cells from damage by harmful substances. However, the human body has its own efficient detoxification systems, and the term 'detoxification' can be broadly interpreted.
The general scientific consensus is that Milk Thistle shows promise as a supportive supplement for liver health, backed by traditional use and some research. While it's not a proven cure for severe liver diseases, it's considered a potentially beneficial agent for liver protection. More large-scale, high-quality human trials are needed to fully confirm its efficacy for various conditions.
Some preliminary studies indicate Milk Thistle may offer benefits for individuals with NAFLD, potentially by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the liver. Despite promising early findings, the current scientific evidence is not strong enough to recommend it as a primary treatment. Consultation with a healthcare professional is advised.
schedule Dosage, timing & forms
Typical daily dosages of Milk Thistle extract often range from 200 mg to 400 mg, standardized to 70-80% silymarin. Some research has explored higher doses for specific contexts. For general use, dosages usually fall within the 200-400 mg range, often divided into multiple smaller doses throughout the day.
Milk Thistle is generally recommended to be taken with food. This can help improve the absorption of its active compounds, particularly silymarin. Taking it with food may also help reduce the likelihood of minor digestive upset.
Many formulations of Milk Thistle recommend taking it two to three times per day. Dividing the daily dose helps maintain consistent levels of its active compounds in the body. Always refer to the specific product label for detailed instructions.
Milk Thistle is commonly available as capsules, tablets, and liquid extracts. It can also be found in tea bags or powder form. Capsules and tablets are the most prevalent, often standardized for their silymarin content.
Standardization means the extract is processed to contain a specific, guaranteed percentage of the active compound, silymarin. This process helps ensure consistency in potency between different batches and brands of the supplement. A common standardization level is 70-80% silymarin.
health_and_safety Safety & interactions
Yes, milk thistle can interact with certain prescription medications, particularly those metabolized by the cytochrome P450 enzyme system in the liver. This could potentially alter how the body processes drugs, affecting their effectiveness or increasing side effects. It is important to consult a healthcare professional before combining milk thistle with any medications.
Milk thistle is generally well-tolerated, but some individuals may experience mild gastrointestinal upset, such as nausea, diarrhea, or indigestion. Allergic reactions are also possible, especially in individuals sensitive to plants in the Asteraceae family. If severe or persistent side effects occur, discontinue use and consult a healthcare provider.
Some research suggests that milk thistle might have mild antiplatelet effects, which theoretically could increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications. However, the evidence for this interaction is limited and conflicting. Individuals on blood thinners should discuss milk thistle use with their healthcare provider.
Milk thistle may have a mild blood sugar-lowering effect, particularly in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Those managing diabetes or taking medications to control blood sugar should monitor their glucose levels closely if using milk thistle. Discussing this with a healthcare provider is advised to prevent potential hypoglycemia.
Due to insufficient scientific data on its safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding, milk thistle is generally not recommended for these populations. There is limited information regarding its potential effects on the fetus or infant. It is always best to consult a healthcare provider before using any supplements during these periods.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount per serving |
|---|---|
Milk Thistle seed extract | 250 mg |
Categories
Milk Thistle 80.0
In the Milk Thistle category, this product stands out for its combination of a solid standardized Silymarin dose and exceptional value, making it one of the top choices for effective and affordable liver support.
Goals
Detoxification 75.0
The 250mg of standardized Silymarin provides strong support for liver detoxification and cellular protection. Its excellent value enables consistent long-term use, which is beneficial for sustained detoxification efforts.
Skin Health 70.0
By consistently supporting liver function and reducing the body's toxic burden, this product indirectly promotes healthier skin. The effective Silymarin dose can contribute to a clearer and more vibrant complexion over time.
Recommended Alternatives
85 Value 
Milk Thistle Extract 175 mg
Lake Avenue Nutrition
4.7
★★★★★
(5433 ratings)
This alternative provides 350mg of standardized Silymarin at an exceptionally low price per serving ($0.07), offering excellent value and clear potency, which drastically outperforms the original's value proposition for similar Silymarin content.
80 Value 
Milk Thistle 250 mg
Nature's Bounty
4.7
★★★★★
(6885 ratings)
Delivering 500mg of standardized Silymarin for just $0.08 per serving, this option provides superior potency at a fraction of the cost, making it an overwhelmingly better value and more reliable option for liver support than the original.
82 Value 
Silymarin Complex
California Gold Nutrition
4.8
★★★★★
(70295 ratings)
This product combines 300mg of standardized Silymarin with complementary ingredients at an outstanding price per serving ($0.08), representing excellent overall value and a much more effective and affordable solution than the original.
90 Performance 
Advanced Milk Thistle
Life Extension
4.7
★★★★★
(4793 ratings)
This alternative uses Siliphos Phytosome for superior absorption, meaning its active compounds are much more bioavailable for effective liver support, potentially leading to greater impact than a higher nominal dose of standard extract.
88 Performance 
Milk Thistle 500 mg Extended Release
Natures Plus Herbal Actives
4.6
★★★★★
(236 ratings)
With a high 1000mg of standardized Silymarin in an extended-release form, this alternative offers superior and sustained potency, providing a far more reliable and effective approach to liver health than the original's dose.
85 Performance 
Silymarin Plus
Futurebiotics
4.8
★★★★★
(165 ratings)
Providing a clearly stated 552mg of standardized Silymarin, this product offers superior potency and transparency regarding its active ingredients for liver support, making it a more dependable choice than the original's 250mg dose.
85 Budget
Milk Thistle Extract 175 mg
Lake Avenue Nutrition
4.7
★★★★★
(5433 ratings)
This alternative offers a higher effective Silymarin dose (350mg) at an even lower price per serving ($0.07), providing significantly better value and clear potency for superior cost-effectiveness.
80 Budget
Milk Thistle 250 mg
Nature's Bounty
4.7
★★★★★
(6885 ratings)
Providing 500mg of standardized Silymarin for just $0.08 per serving, this option delivers a much higher Silymarin dose at a lower cost, making it a very economical choice for effective liver support.
82 Budget
Silymarin Complex
California Gold Nutrition
4.8
★★★★★
(70295 ratings)
This product delivers 300mg of standardized Silymarin with complementary ingredients at an excellent price ($0.08 per serving), offering a robust and clearly quantified alternative at a lower cost.
85 Value
Milk Thistle Extract 175 mg
Lake Avenue Nutrition
4.7
★★★★★
(5433 ratings)
This alternative provides 350mg of standardized Silymarin at an exceptionally low price per serving ($0.07), offering excellent value and clear potency, which drastically outperforms the original's value proposition for similar Silymarin content.
80 Value
Milk Thistle 250 mg
Nature's Bounty
4.7
★★★★★
(6885 ratings)
Delivering 500mg of standardized Silymarin for just $0.08 per serving, this option provides superior potency at a fraction of the cost, making it an overwhelmingly better value and more reliable option for liver support than the original.
82 Value
Silymarin Complex
California Gold Nutrition
4.8
★★★★★
(70295 ratings)
This product combines 300mg of standardized Silymarin with complementary ingredients at an outstanding price per serving ($0.08), representing excellent overall value and a much more effective and affordable solution than the original.
90 Performance
Advanced Milk Thistle
Life Extension
4.7
★★★★★
(4793 ratings)
This alternative uses Siliphos Phytosome for superior absorption, meaning its active compounds are much more bioavailable for effective liver support, potentially leading to greater impact than a higher nominal dose of standard extract.
88 Performance
Milk Thistle 500 mg Extended Release
Natures Plus Herbal Actives
4.6
★★★★★
(236 ratings)
With a high 1000mg of standardized Silymarin in an extended-release form, this alternative offers superior and sustained potency, providing a far more reliable and effective approach to liver health than the original's dose.
85 Performance
Silymarin Plus
Futurebiotics
4.8
★★★★★
(165 ratings)
Providing a clearly stated 552mg of standardized Silymarin, this product offers superior potency and transparency regarding its active ingredients for liver support, making it a more dependable choice than the original's 250mg dose.