Milk thistle is an herbal supplement often used to support liver health. Determining the right milk thistle dosage often depends on what you’re trying to achieve. The standard daily dose for basic liver support is 140 mg taken one to three times per day. Higher doses up to 600 mg per day may be used for therapeutic purposes. As with any supplement, it’s best to talk to your healthcare provider to determine the appropriate milk thistle dosage for your individual needs.
What is Milk Thistle?
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a flowering herb related to the daisy and ragweed family. It’s native to Mediterranean countries and has been used medicinally since ancient times. The plant gets its name from the milky white fluid that comes from its leaves when crushed. The seeds and leaves of the milk thistle plant are commonly used to make supplements and tinctures.
Milk thistle contains a group of bioactive compounds collectively known as silymarin. This includes the flavonolignans silybin A, silybin B, isosilybin A, isosilybin B, silychristin, isosilychristin, silydianin, and flavonoids like taxifolin. Silybin acts as an antioxidant by scavenging free radicals and supporting glutathione production. Milk thistle extracts standardized to 70-80% silymarin are considered most potent.
What Are the Benefits of Milk Thistle?
Here are some of the top evidence-based benefits of milk thistle:
- Liver detoxification and protection – Milk thistle is commonly used to promote liver health. Silymarin helps protect liver cells from toxins and oxidative stress. It also supports regeneration of liver tissue.
- May support chronic liver disease – Taking milk thistle extract may benefit people with liver diseases like alcoholic cirrhosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and hepatitis.
- May lower cholesterol – The compounds in milk thistle, particularly silybin, may help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
- May stabilize blood sugar – Early research suggests milk thistle extracts may help improve insulin resistance and stabilize blood sugar control in people with diabetes.
- Anti-inflammatory effects – The flavonoids in milk thistle have anti-inflammatory properties that may benefit people with arthritis, allergies, and neurological conditions.
However, more research is still needed to confirm some of milk thistle’s proposed benefits. Talk to your doctor to see if milk thistle may be helpful for you.
How Much Milk Thistle Should I Take?
There is no standardized milk thistle dosage. Supplement labels provide a suggested serving size or dose, but optimal intake can vary considerably based on factors like:
- Your age
- Health status
- Reason for taking milk thistle
Most milk thistle supplements come in capsules, softgels, tablets, powder or liquid extract form. The common dosages include:
Basic liver support:
- 140 mg taken 1-3 times per day
- Daily dose range: 140-420 mg
Therapeutic liver support:
- 600 mg per day for cirrhosis or other liver conditions
- May be split into 3 doses: 200 mg 3 times per day
Higher doses above 600 mg per day are sometimes used under medical guidance. For any chronic liver condition, it’s important to work with your healthcare provider to find the optimal dosage for your situation.
What Are the Side Effects of Milk Thistle?
Milk thistle supplements are generally well tolerated with very few side effects in most healthy adults. Possible side effects can include:
- Gastrointestinal upset – Can include mild diarrhea, bloating, nausea or abdominal discomfort. Taking milk thistle with food may help.
- Allergic reaction – Milk thistle allergies are rare but possible, especially in people allergic to plants like ragweed.
- Headache – Some earlier studies noted possible headache side effect, but more research is needed.
Milk thistle may trigger side effects like nausea or diarrhea at higher doses above 1,500 mg per day. It’s also important to note that milk thistle can alter estrogen levels. People with hormone-sensitive conditions like uterine fibroids, endometriosis or cancers should use caution and speak to a doctor before using.
Milk Thistle Dosage Considerations
There are a few important factors to keep in mind when taking milk thistle:
Standardized extract
Look for a supplement standardized to 70-80% silymarin, which is considered the most potent extract. Lower percentage standardized products may not provide enough active compound to be effective.
Split up doses
Consider taking milk thistle in smaller divided doses throughout the day instead of one large dose. For example, three doses of 140 mg spaced throughout the day.
Take with meals
Some research suggests taking milk thistle with food may help increase absorption of its active ingredients. Consider taking it with your breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Monitor liver function
If taking milk thistle for a chronic liver condition, be sure to monitor your liver enzymes and function with lab tests to track your progress and response.
Watch for drug interactions
Milk thistle can potentially interact with certain medications broken down by the liver. If taking any prescription drugs, check with your pharmacist for possible interactions.
The Bottom Line
When taking milk thistle supplements, a dosage between 140-600 mg per day taken orally should be sufficient for most adults. Lower end doses around 140 mg can be used for general preventative liver health. Higher doses up to 600 mg may be used therapeutically for liver conditions or damage. As with any supplement, it’s best to start with lower doses and work up gradually to assess your tolerance.
Monitoring liver function and watching for potential side effects like digestive upset are recommended when using milk thistle. While generally safe for most people, those with hormone-sensitive conditions should use caution and speak to a healthcare provider first.
Milk thistle is not a quick fix or cure for liver problems. Rather, it’s best used as part of an overall healthy lifestyle including a good diet, regular exercise, stress management, and alcohol moderation.
| Dosage | Purpose |
|---|---|
| 140 mg | Basic liver support and detoxification |
| 140-420 mg | Standard daily dose range |
| 600 mg | Therapeutic use for chronic liver conditions |
Always check with your doctor before starting any new supplements, including milk thistle. They can help determine the right dosage for your individual health needs.
