When Is The Best Time To Take Milk Thistle?

If you’re seeking a natural method to improve your liver health and general well-being, try using milk thistle in your daily routine. Whether you’re a heavy drinker, have a family history of liver issues, or want to keep your liver healthy, milk thistle may be what you need. So, let’s learn what this magic ingredient can do for you and the best time to take milk thistle.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, milk thistle has been used historically to treat gallbladder and liver issues. Originally from Europe, the first settlers brought milk thistle to North America. It is found in Africa, Australia, Asia, South America, California, and the eastern United States.

A unique plant that many people utilise for health purposes is milk thistle. It is used a dietary supplement for hepatitis, cirrhosis, jaundice, diabetes, indigestion, and other ailments. It has potent antioxidant qualities and is well-recognised for supporting the liver. Antioxidants are beneficial because they shield our cells from harm.

Benefits :

Promotes the health of the liver
Works as an antioxidant
Aids in digestion
Reduces cholesterol levels.
Helps control blood sugar levels

Why Does The Timing Matter?

The timing of taking a milk thistle supplement is crucial because it can impact how effectively its active ingredient, silymarin, supports liver health. Silymarin works as a potent antioxidant, helping the liver detoxify and repair itself.

What is The Best Time To Take Milk Thistle?

The liver’s natural detoxification processes peak at night, so taking milk thistle in the evening may enhance its benefits, aligning with these peak hours of liver activity.

The more important aspect is that Milk thistle is also fat-soluble, meaning it’s best absorbed when taken with a meal containing healthy fats. By taking it with food—ideally with dinner—silymarin’s bioavailability increases, as meals stimulate bile production, which aids in the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients. Additionally, taking it with food may reduce the mild gastrointestinal discomfort that some people experience when taking milk thistle on an empty stomach.

Timing milk thistle intake with the liver’s nightly repair cycle and eating patterns can support optimal detoxification and regeneration. For most, taking milk thistle with an evening meal is the most effective approach to align with the body’s natural rhythms and maximise its liver-protective effects.

Factors Influencing The Timings Of Milk Thistle Intake

1. Purpose Of Use

It matters why you take milk thistle. The morning may be a better time to help in digestion, and the evening may be the ideal time if you want assistance with detoxification.

2. Individual Health Factors

Everybody is unique. NIH says that when you should take, it may depend on your medical circumstances, such as liver health or digestive issues. For instance, taking it regularly before bed the day may benefit more those with liver problems.

Milk thistle’s absorption and effectiveness can be influenced by other nutrients and supplements. Here’s a breakdown of what can improve or hinder its absorption:

3. Meal Timings

Milk thistle is best taken with a meal, ideally one that includes healthy fats, as this improves the absorption of its active ingredient, silymarin. Taking it with food also helps prevent potential mild gastrointestinal discomfort. Research also indicates that eating can improve the body’s absorption of milk thistle’s active ingredients.

3. Interactions with Other Supplements

Supplements that Improve Absorption

Healthy Fats: Since milk thistle is fat-soluble, taking it with a source of healthy fats, like omega-3s, avocado, or olive oil, can enhance silymarin absorption.
Phosphatidylcholine: This phospholipid is often combined with silymarin in supplements to form “phytosomes,” which can significantly boost bioavailability by improving its uptake in the digestive system.

Supplements or Nutrients that May Hinder Absorption

Calcium and Iron: High doses of calcium or iron taken simultaneously with milk thistle may reduce silymarin absorption, as these minerals can interfere with its uptake in the intestines.
High-Fibre Supplements: Large amounts of fibre may bind to silymarin, potentially reducing how much is absorbed. It’s often best to space out high-fibre supplements and milk thistle by a few hours.

To maximise milk thistle’s benefits, take it with a meal containing healthy fats and avoid high doses of calcium, iron, or fibre at the same time. This approach helps ensure optimal absorption and effectiveness of milk thistle’s liver-supporting properties.

Potential Side Effects

Although it can have specific adverse effects, milk thistle is usually considered safe for most individuals. Typical adverse effects include:

Nausea: A stomach ache may strike certain users.
Diarrhea: Some people may experience loose stools.
Bloating: An experience when the abdomen feels swollen or bloated.
Headaches: Taking milk thistle may cause headaches for some people.
Allergic Reactions: Milk thistle can cause allergic reactions, so those sensitive to plants in the Asteraceae family (such as ragweed, daisies, and marigolds) should avoid it.

Although they are uncommon, serious side effects might include severe allergic responses. If any serious symptoms appear, it’s critical to stop using the medication and get medical help. Due to the scarcity of data on milk thistle safety in these populations, pregnant women should speak with their healthcare professional before using it.

Recommended Daily Dosage of Milk Thistle

According to The European Medicines Agency, it is safe to take 300mg-600mg of milk thistle two or three times a day.

You should either avoid taking a milk thistle supplement or consult a doctor if you fall into any of the below categories:

Pregnant or breastfeeding women – Not much data is available on its safety for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Low blood sugar, putting you at risk of low blood sugar.
Women with breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine fibroids or endometriosis – it’s thought milk thistle may have oestrogenic effects.
Allergic to the Asteraceae family plants – e.g. ragweed, chrysanthemum and artichoke – there is a risk of an allergic reaction.

Conclusion

The optimal time to take milk thistle depends on your circumstances and health objectives. Many doctors advocate taking it 15 minutes before meals to improve absorption and help the liver operate correctly throughout the day. However, dosages aid digestion taken after meals or an empty stomach might also be useful. Finally, listen to your body and speak with a healthcare practitioner to find the ideal timing. You may optimise its potential advantages for liver health and general well-being by carefully adding a good quality milk thistle supplement like Route2Health’s Milk Thistle into your daily routine.

FAQs

1. What is milk thistle made of?

Milk thistle is a plant called from the white veins on its oversized, thorny leaves. One of the active compounds in milk thistle, silymarin, is derived from the plant’s seeds. Silymarin is thought to possess antioxidant effects. Milk thistle is an oral pill, tablet, and liquid extract.

2. What should I know before using milk thistle?

Milk thistle can cause allergic reactions, which are more likely in those who are allergic to plants. Although it may help type 2 diabetics control their blood sugar levels, people with diabetes should exercise caution.

3. Who needs milk thistle?

Milk thistle is frequently recommended as a therapy for alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis. It also improves liver function and boosts survival rates in persons with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis.