Does Milk Thistle Help Lower ALT Levels?

Milk thistle has long been recognized as an herb with impressive effects on enhancing liver health and regulating ALT levels - an enzyme that reflects liver function. The following article will explore whether Milk Thistle reduces ALT levels and how this occurs, helping you make the best choices for your health!

Does milk thistle help lower ALT levels?

The answer to this question is undoubtedly yes.

Milk Thistle generally has many positive effects on liver health, including reducing liver and gallbladder damage, supporting liver functions, improving the condition of liver patients, aiding liver detoxification, providing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and helping regulate ALT levels.

The effects of Milk Thistle on the liver, in general, and ALT levels, in particular, include both direct and indirect impacts. Milk Thistle directly combats liver-damaging agents and free radicals attacking cells, indirectly supporting other liver functions, thereby generally reducing ALT levels. The detailed mechanisms of Milk Thistle will be explained below.

What are ALT Levels?

ALT stands for alanine transaminase. This is an enzyme primarily found in the liver. When liver cells are damaged, they release this ALT enzyme into the blood. Scientific publications also indicate that higher ALT levels reflect liver damage or other liver problems [1].

High ALT levels also cause certain liver diseases; ALT levels increase even before you show symptoms of the disease. Therefore, paying attention to ALT levels and making necessary adjustments is essential to ensure you do not face liver-related health issues.

How Does Milk Thistle Impact ALT Levels? Scientific Perspective

As mentioned above, Milk Thistle can support liver function in several ways:

• Studies have demonstrated that silymarin can protect against liver damage caused by toxins such as acetaminophen. For example, a study by Campos et al. showed that silybin dihemisuccinate (a silymarin component primarily found in milk thistle) could protect liver cells from oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation [2]. This reduces liver damage and minimizes ALT production, thus avoiding severe liver damage.
• Additionally, silymarin in milk thistle can support liver regeneration, acting as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant to protect liver cells from harmful agents [3]. As a result, ALT levels gradually decrease over time, and new ALT production is significantly reduced.

Is it Safe to Take Milk Thistle to Lower ALT Levels?

Milk thistle and its extracts are safe for most users and do not often record serious side effects on consumer health. However, although rare, milk thistle can interact with specific medications/medication components.

Therefore, before use, you may consult a specialist to receive advice on your condition, avoiding unnecessary risks to your health or family. Additionally, you can start with a small dose and observe your body's reactions to ensure safer use.

Other Ways to Lower ALT Levels

Besides milk thistle, many other ways exist to improve liver health and reduce ALT levels. Some of these include:

• Using supplement products extracted from milk thistle is one of the ways to benefit from this herb to regulate ALT levels directly.
• Improving diet with a regimen rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean protein to support liver health.
• Regular and suitable exercise according to your health condition will also help you achieve a healthy body and a healthy liver.
• Avoiding alcohol and stimulants as they are detrimental to your health.

When Should You Contact a Doctor if You Have High ALT Levels?

High or low ALT levels are difficult to observe visually or through body symptoms, at least until your liver is severely damaged. ALT needs to be measured through blood tests for accurate determination. However, if the results are confirmed, visit a doctor immediately to receive appropriate advice and suitable treatment methods to address liver health issues before it is too late.

Conclusion

It can be said that Milk Thistle shows potential as a natural remedy to reduce ALT levels and support liver health. This herb affects your liver both directly and indirectly and is safe for the majority of users but can interact with some medication components. Therefore, please consult a healthcare professional before using it to ensure your health and your family.