Evidence supporting the use of: Silybin
For the health condition: Fatty Liver Disease
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Silybin (also known as silibinin) is the major active constituent of silymarin, an extract from the seeds of the milk thistle plant (Silybum marianum). Its use in the support and treatment of fatty liver disease, particularly non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), has scientific backing, though the strength of evidence is moderate and further large-scale studies are needed. Several randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have shown that silybin supplementation may improve liver enzyme levels (such as ALT and AST), reduce oxidative stress, and decrease markers of inflammation in patients with NAFLD and related conditions. The proposed mechanisms include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic effects, as well as modulation of lipid metabolism and insulin resistance in the liver.
For example, a 2017 meta-analysis published in the journal Phytomedicine concluded that silymarin (standardized for silybin content) improved liver enzymes and some metabolic parameters in NAFLD patients compared to placebo. Several individual studies have reported histological improvements in liver steatosis and fibrosis, though results are not always consistent and many studies are small or of limited duration. Silybin has a long history of traditional use for liver disorders, but its application to fatty liver disease is primarily supported by modern scientific research. Overall, the evidence for silybin in fatty liver disease is promising but not definitive, warranting a rating of 3 out of 5.
Other ingredients used for Fatty Liver Disease
akkermansia muciniphilaalgal oil
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
anthocyanins
arjun tree
artichoke
astaxanthin
banaba
barberry
barley
beet
berberine
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium longum
black garlic
sesame
branched-chain amino acids
butyrate triglyceride
canola oil
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
cauliflower
chia seed
chicory
chlorella
chokeberry
choline
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
turmeric
curcumin
cyclodextrin
dandelion
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fenugreek
fiber blend (proprietary)
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
flaxseed
ginger
grape
hesperetin
kelp
l-carnitine
l-glutathione
l-methionine
l-taurine
lecithin
licorice root
liquid liver fractions
marine lipid
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
milk thistle
naringin
niacin (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
oleanolic acid
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
palmitoleic acid
perilla
phenolic acids
phosphatidylcholine
phospholipids
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
butyric acid
psyllium
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
silymarin
spirulina
tocotrienols
trans-pterostilbene
tributyrin
trimethylglycine (TMG)
triphala
Urolithin A
vitamin C
vitamin E
seaweed
mulberry
zinc
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
jiaogulan
enicostemma littorale
punarnava
picrorhiza kurroa
lingzhi
morus
ferulic acid
ganoderma
polyphenols
anemarrhena asphodeloides
coix
nopal
algae
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ashitaba
4-hydroxyisoleucine
7,14-Hydroxy-Docosapentaenoic Acid
Arjuna
Apigenin
Aronia melanocarpa
Antrodia camphorata
Avocado
Ascophyllum nodosum
Acacetin
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
Adzuki bean
Ampelopsin
Algal protein
Alisma
Arabinoxylan
Argan nut oil
Anemarrhena
alpha Methyl Tetradecylthioacetic Acid
Apocynin
Arjunolic acid
Borotutu
Brutieridin
Brown Algae
Brassica
Berberis (unspecified)
Baicalein
Blakeslea trispora
Betanin
Bifidobacteria
bile acid
Baicalin
Carqueja
Chebulic acid
Camelina Oil
Coriander
chlorogenic acid
Cynarin
Cruciferous
Chitin-Glucan Complex
Caulerpa okamurae
Copalchi
Curcuma
Corilagin
Crocetin
Cynaropicrin
corosolic acid
Carnosic acid
Diallyl sulfide
Danshen
Dihydromyricetin
DL-Methionine
Decursin
D-Pinitol
Diosgenin
Dithiolthiones
epicatechin
Eriocitrin
Ergothioneine
Erythrodiol
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Eucommia ulmoides
Fiber
Rhubarb
walnut
Zucchini