Milk Thistle 250mg - 180 + 90 V-Caps FREE

Organika's Milk Thistleis a standardized 80% extract derived from the seeds of the Milk Thistle plant.

Milk Thistle - For Liver Health
Milk thistle was used historically as a digestive aid, to promote the flow of digestive juices, and as a tonic for nursing mothers, to increase milk supply. Nowadays it's popularity stems from its ability to detoxify and protect a very important organ, the liver. Our liver is responsible for filtering out most everything that should not be in our body and processing it so that it doesn't cause damage to other cells. It also metabolizes hormones and fats, and makes sure that the transportation system for fats (cholesterol) is working properly. The livers secretions, called bile, carry metabolized waste products out into the intestine where they can be excreted.

The medicinal activity of milk thistle is in a molecule called silymarin. It causes liver cells, hepatocytes, to resist toxic compounds and regenerate themselves. It also increases glutathione in the liver. glutathione is an antioxidant that the liver uses to catch damaging free radicals that are created when the liver changes toxins into harmless chemicals. Silymarin also blocks the toxic effects of drug overdoses and poisonings. Milk thistle is a bitter herb that causes the release of digestive juices and bile, thus helping with indigestion and intestinal cleansing. Natural health practitioners recommend milk thistle for liver toxicity, indigestion, poisonings, drug overdoses, hepatitis, jaundice, gallbladder dysfunction and high cholesterol.

What is Glutathione?
Glutathione is a sulphur-based molecule made from three amino acids cysteine, glycine and glutamic acid. It is an important antioxidant in the liver's detoxification pathways. Glutathione changes chemicals and metabolic byproducts into harmless substances for excretion from the body, by deactivating harmful free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that in their bid to become more stable must bump into healthy cells and cause damage. Glutathione is responsible for detoxifying many compounds, including those found in cigarette smoke, alcohol, aspirin and acetaminophen. As an antioxidant in other parts of the body, glutathione protects red blood cells, helps immune cells kill invading microbes and stops cells from being harmed by radiation.

Detoxification
The liver processes the majority of toxins in the body. It excretes most of the processed toxins through the bile and into the intestine. Most medications are also processed in the liver. If you are on recommendation medication consult your health professional before cleansing the liver.

Detoxification involves dietary, supplemental and physical interventions. It usually focuses on one or more of the main organs of detoxification, the liver, kidneys, bowels, lungs or skin.

Your body needs a variety of vitamins, minerals, and other molecules so that it can process and excrete toxins. It is important for you to help your body by giving it a variety of fresh and nutritious foods. These suggestions are intended as a guide. Do not consume any food that you are sensitive to even if it is listed here.

Try to Avoid:packaged or fast foods, coffee, black tea, chocolate, alcohol, white sugar, salt, condiments, tobacco, dairy products, fried food, preservatives or artificial sweeteners

Try to Consume: 2L of filtered water daily, herbal teas and 100% pure fruit juices. Eat fresh or steamed fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, fish, soy products, nuts, seeds, cold pressed vegetable oils and spices. Drink a glass of warm water with the juice of half a lemon each morning. This simple act will regulate bowel and liver function

Exercise Regularly: Moderate physical exercise increases circulation and helps the body to eliminate toxins. Reduce your stress level because stress is an additional burden on the organs of detoxification. Brush your skin daily (towards the heart) with a natural fibre brush. This stimulates the immune system and increases circulation. At the end of your shower alternate several rounds of hot and cold water (30 second to 1 minute intervals) always ending with cold. This hydrotherapy treatment increases the immune system and aids in detoxification. Sauna treatments will also increase the effectiveness of detoxification but make sure to increase your fluid intake to avoid dehydration


*Milk thistle is a very safe herb but it does have detoxifying properties. Individuals with serious liver disease or high levels of toxic compounds in their body should use milk thistle under the guidance of a health professional.