Evidence supporting the use of: Silymarin
For the health condition: Fatty Liver Disease
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Silymarin, an extract from the seeds of the milk thistle plant (Silybum marianum), has a long history of use in traditional medicine for liver ailments. However, its use for supporting or treating fatty liver disease (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, NAFLD) is increasingly supported by scientific research. Silymarin exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic properties, which are believed to protect liver cells from damage, reduce inflammation, and slow the progression of liver fibrosis. Several randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses suggest that silymarin supplementation can improve liver enzyme levels (e.g., ALT, AST) in patients with NAFLD, indicating potential benefits for liver function. These studies also report improvements in markers of oxidative stress and, in some cases, liver histology. However, the magnitude of benefit is typically modest, and not all studies show consistent results. The evidence base is limited by small sample sizes, short study durations, and variability in silymarin formulations and dosages. Major clinical guidelines do not universally recommend silymarin for NAFLD due to these limitations, but its favorable safety profile and some positive findings have led to its continued use as a supportive therapy. In summary, while silymarin is not a cure for fatty liver disease, there is moderate scientific evidence supporting its adjunctive use, especially for improving biochemical markers of liver injury.
Other ingredients used for Fatty Liver Disease
4-hydroxyisoleucine7,14-Hydroxy-Docosapentaenoic Acid
Acacetin
Adzuki bean
Akkermansia muciniphila
Algae
algal oil
Algal protein
Alisma
Alpha methyl tetradecylthioacetic acid
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-lipoic acid
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ampelopsin
Anemarrhena
anemarrhena asphodeloides
anthocyanins
Antrodia camphorata
apigenin
apocynin
arabinoxylan
argan nut oil
arjun tree
arjuna
Arjunolic acid
Aronia melanocarpa
artichoke
Ascophyllum nodosum
ashitaba
astaxanthin
astragaloside
avocado
baicalein
baicalin
banaba
barberry
barley
beet
berberine
Berberis (unspecified)
betanin
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium longum
bile acid
black garlic
Blakeslea trispora
borotutu
branched-chain amino acids
Brassica
Brown Algae
brutieridin
butyrate triglyceride
butyric acid
camelina oil
carnosic acid
carqueja
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
Caulerpa okamurae
cauliflower
chebulic acid
chia seed
chicory
Chitin-Glucan Complex
chlorella
chlorogenic acid
chokeberry
choline
coix
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
copalchi
coriander
corilagin
corosolic acid
crocetin
cruciferous
Curcuma
curcumin
cyclodextrin
cynarin
cynaropicrin
D-Pinitol
dandelion
danshen
decursin
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
diallyl sulfide
dihydromyricetin
diosgenin
dithiolthiones
DL-Methionine
eicosapentaenoic acid
Enicostemma littorale
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epicatechin
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
ergothioneine
eriocitrin
erythrodiol
Eucommia ulmoides
fatty acids
fenugreek
ferulic acid
fiber
fiber blend (proprietary)
fish oil
fish protein
flavanones
flavonolignan
flavonols
flaxseed
fucoidan
fucosterol
fucoxanthin
ganoderma
ginger
Glutathione
grape
hesperetin
hydroxycinnamic acid
hydroxytyrosol
isosilybin
Jaboticaba
jiaogulan
Job\'s tears
Jurubeba
Kefir
kelp
l-carnitine
L-glutathione
L-methionine
L-taurine
Lactobacillus plantarum
lecithin
Legume protein
licorice root
limonoid
lingzhi
liquid liver fractions
Lycium
mangiferin
Marine fat
Marine lipid
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
Milk thistle
Monounsaturated fat
Morus
Mulberry
Myricetin
Naringenin
Naringin
Niacin (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
nopal
oleanolic acid
oleic acid
Oleoylethanolamide
Oleuropein
Oligosaccharides
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
oolong tea
ornithine L-aspartic acid
Osthole
Oxymatrine
palmitoleic acid
perilla
Phaeophyceae
Phellodendron
phenolic compounds
phlorizin
phlorotannins
phosphatidylcholine
phospholipids
Phthalides
picrorhiza kurroa
Pinitol
Polydatin
polyphenols
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
psyllium
pu-er tea
Puerarin
punarnava
punicalagins
purple tea
rapeseed oil
Rebaudioside
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhubarb
S-allylcysteine
Salacia
Salvianolic acid
Schisandrins
Schizochytrium
Schizochytrium Oil
seaweed
sesame
Sesamin
Silybin
Silychristin
Silydianin
silymarin
Sinensetin
spirulina
Syringic acid
Tangeretin
Tanshinone
Taurine
Taxifolin
Tetradecylthioacetic acid
Theabrownin
Thistle
tocotrienols
Trans-pterostilbene
Trehalose
tributyrin
Trimethylglycine (TMG)
Triphala
turmeric
Tyrosol
Urolithin A
Ursolic Acid
Varuna
vitamin C
vitamin E
Wakame
Walnut
Wax Gourd
Yacon
Yin Chen
Zinc
Zucchini
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
Other health conditions supported by silymarin
AlcoholismCirrhosis of the Liver
Fatty Liver Disease
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)
Hepatitis
Jaundice (adults)
Liver Detoxification
Pancreatitis
Triglycerides (high)
Products containing silymarin
Metagenics
AdvaClear
Metagenics
AdvaClear
Metagenics
Clear Change Daily Essentials
