I am using milk thistle for many of my patients, particularly the ones with some liver damage through chemotherapy or cancer.
A new study, published online in the journal Cancer, showed that milk thistle may help reduce the liver inflammation associated with chemotherapy in children with leukemia who undergo aggressive chemotherapies.
This is a very interesting study, which shows that liver toxicity by chemotherapy often leads to lowering the dose of this important chemotherapy. The study was conducted in children being treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Here’s the abstract and a story from MedPage Today. You can find more information about Milk Thistle from the University of Maryland’s website.
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a herb used for 2,000 years for many different reasons including liver problems. There are a number of scientific studies suggest that substances in milk thistle (especially a flavonoid called silymarin) protects the liver from toxins, including certain drugs such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®), which can cause liver damage in high doses.
The active ingredients of milk thistle is silymarin, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. There are also some data that it may help the liver to regenerate. Other studies have shown some promise as an anti-cancer drug. It may stop cancer from growing and stop blood supply.
The active ingredient, or liver-protecting compound, in milk thistle is known as silymarin. Silymarin is actually a group of flavonoids (silibinin, silidianin, and silicristin), which are thought to help repair liver cells damaged by alcohol and other toxic substances. Silymarin reduces inflammation (which is why it is often suggested for people with liver inflammation or hepatitis), and is a potent antioxidant.
We usually recommend about 200-400mg once to three times a day. If you use silymarin phosphatidylcholine complex the doses are 100-200 twice a day.
However please check with your physician, since this drug may have interactions with drugs you are taking. Also check with your pharmacist to rule our any interactions.
December 23, 2009 at 1:43 pm, Tom K said:
I appreciate you expressing your opinion on this supplement.
Knowing the judgment of a clinically practicing provider helps alot – although I know that there are indeed a wide variety of viewpoints on this topic. Most practicing Oncologists are not, in my experience, willing to come down on one side of the fence one way or another.
Are there any other supplements or off label meds that you feel you have enough info to weigh in on iether pro or con?
I think Vit D is settled pretty well, but how about others?
Tom K
December 23, 2009 at 1:48 pm, Heinz_Josef Lenz said:
absolutely you will find previous blogs on this isssue, Calcium Vit D have shown consistent data preventing polyp and tumor development as well may impact prognosis. during chemo we recommend B6 300mg per day which is shown to reduce side effects of 5-FU. check out my previous blogs on antioxidants etc.
December 24, 2009 at 8:33 pm, Mirjana Miletic said:
Dear Dr Lenz,
I don’t have a question, I just want to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you, your beautiful family and all of your staff from the very greatful Martinoski family.
We all love you.
Thank you for everything.
Thank you for this blog too. You help so many people with this.
Mirjana Miletic
January 21, 2010 at 12:59 am, Katinka Arnold said:
Dear Dr Lenz,
I ordered a bottle of 1000mg/softcapsule milk thistle for my dad who was diagnosed with stage 3-4 colon cancer. He went through a successful surgery where the main tumor in his large intestine was taken out, however the cancer spread to his liver ( about 7-8 2-20mm cancerous cells)so he will need to go through chemotherapy.
To strengthen his liver I bought him the largest dose of the herb.
How many capsules should he take from a 1000mg capsule?
Is it possible to overdose the herb?
Thank you in advance,
Katinka
September 22, 2010 at 9:22 am, Walker said:
I have a question. When you recommend milk thistle, do you recommend taking it during chemo or after the chemo is finished?