Milk thistle

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iheartlove
iheartlove Member Posts: 5
edited June 2014 in Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment

Hello,



Wondering if anyone has information on milk thistle supplements? I was told that it can help with detoxing the liver. when I did some light research it also said that milk thistle can mimic estrogen so women with breast cancer should not take it...any info or experience would be great! Thank you

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited August 2013

    It would depend on if you are estrogen positive or not. Should not take if you are positive.

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  • QueenSansaStark
    QueenSansaStark Member Posts: 207
    edited August 2013

    A quote from MedLinePlus: Extracts from milk thistle PLANT might act like estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, don’t use these extracts. In contrast, the more commonly used milk thistle SEED extracts do not seem to act like estrogen.

    http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/138.html

    I use Jarrow brand milk thistle (which uses the seeds). Jarrow brand has the most beneficial active ingredient. I take one capsule a day with breakfast. The liver helps eliminate excess estrogens so I want to keep mine in good working order.

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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited August 2013

    I just started taking this a couple of weeks ago. I'll try to remember to report back in 6 months or so if I see any benefits.

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  • sdstarfish
    sdstarfish Member Posts: 544
    edited August 2013

    An alternative to milk thistle for liver detox is to drink a tablespoon of Bragg's apple cider vinegar daily in a glass of water. Another is Yogi brand Detox Tea. 

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  • iheartlove
    iheartlove Member Posts: 5
    edited August 2013

    thank you! i do use the Yogi Detox tea regularly, and Bragg's. I'm going to check the brand of Milk Thistle I have. 

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  • MiracleMileM
    MiracleMileM Member Posts: 103
    edited August 2013

    I use Trader Joe's milk thistle - silymarin - which is made from the seeds.  200 mg. 

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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited October 2013

    Reporting back a little earlier than expected. My last blood tests showed my liver enzymes through the roof. My onc said he couldn't believe the numbers so had me do it twice and said I should be yellow with numbers like that. I immediately headed for a ct scan, but that showed no change (thank gawd). I rarely admit to my onc what off-label drugs or supplements I'm taking so I didn't mention the milk thistle to him but headed to my family doc immediately who thinks there may be an interaction with metformin, though he admittedly is only making an educated guess. I've stopped the milk thistle to see if the numbers go back down (I hope). Looking back, I felt really bloated and didn't feel much like eating after starting the milk thistle. It's either the culprit ir a coincidence of something more going on. We'll see.

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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited November 2013

    Well, it's been a rough several weeks trying to determine if the milk thistle caused the dramatic rise in liver enzymes. Had a lot to figure out the last little while. Anyhoo, here's the scoop. So far between the docs and myself, it could have been caused by any number of reasons. First, I've been taking DCA for several years to keep my brain mets at bay. Since nobody in the medical field is clear on the dosage, I've been taking a lot. That could have caused the liver issue. Secondly, I had combined the milk thistle with the DCA and metformin. Taking all three that affect liver function could have set it off. So, I've stopped the milk thistle and metformin for now and latest numbers show an ever so slight decrease. 

    So now, here I am in a quandry wondering what caused the increase. Since I'm not willing to let brain mets take my life (seen way to many horrible things in that regard), I'm not willing to give up the DCA. I'd rather let the liver mets take me. I've stopped the milk thistle and the metformin for now. Seems I'm feeling a bit better, at least enough to post, so I'm hoping beyond hope that things improve. As my onc keeps reminding me, scans only show what tumors are doing, not the physiological effects of the disease itself, or the effects of drugs, so here I sit, stuck playing guinea pig trying to weed out the lesser of the evils. Rolling the dice it was the stupid milk thistle that got this ugly ball rolling. If anyone taking milk thistle has shown wonky liver function, I'd appreciate hearing from you so I can work this crap out.

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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited November 2013

    Should have said....anyone with advanced mets, particularly liver, I'd love to hear your experince with liver numbers and milk thistle. I'm sure those without mets are doing just fine with it. 

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  • Bestbird
    Bestbird Member Posts: 2,818
    edited November 2013
    I'm sorry to hear about your progression. My Naturopathic Oncologist took me off milk thistle because he said it can interfere with hormonal therapy, and I'm on Femara.

    I hope you find something that works well for you!
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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited December 2013

    Thank you for the good wishes bestbird. Latest news....had another liver ultrasound today. My liver has decreased in size and I'm slowly starting to feel better. Seems like the addition of milk thistle, combined with liver mets and other drugs and alternative treatments was a really, really bad idea. When I saw the initial ultrasound of my liver, I almost passed out at the size. Since I stopped the milk thistle there has been quite a reduction. Phew! 

    Just a heads up with my experience with milk thistle and liver mets. Not a good idea (for me). Keep a close eye on those liver numbers if you're going to use it. It almost killed me.

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  • cp418
    cp418 Member Posts: 7,079
    edited December 2013

    leggo - hope you feel better and your liver issues improve.  You just confirmed how powerful these supplements can be for some patients.  

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  • Fallleaves
    Fallleaves Member Posts: 806
    edited December 2013


    Leggo, glad your liver is returning to normal and you are on the mend. Your experience is a good reminder that supplements can be a double edged sword, often beneficial, but with the potential to be dangerous, too, particularly when your system is already compromised. What happened to you reminded me of a study of two Japanese cancer patients who died of liver damage, possibly caused by a mushroom extract (agaricus blazei). http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17105737


    Hope you are feeling well for the holidays!

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  • pipers_dream
    pipers_dream Member Posts: 618
    edited December 2013


    leggo I wonder if your reaction was due to detox? Just a thought.

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  • glorianna
    glorianna Member Posts: 92
    edited January 2014

    Hi,

    Just started reading these health threads, Thanks pipers drea and others for interesting views and info

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