Our method
Welcome to our big Silymarin test 2021. Here we present all the silymarin preparations that we have tested in detail. We have compiled detailed background information and added a summary of customer reviews on the internet.
We would like to make your purchase decision easier and help you find the best silymarin preparation for you. You will also find answers to frequently asked questions in our guide. Furthermore, you will also find some important information on this page that you should definitely pay attention to if you want to buy silymarin.
Contents
- 1 Weekly newsletter with the best personal finance tips
- 2 The most important facts
- 3 The Best Silymarin: Our Picks
- 4 Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying Silymarin
- 5 Decision: What types of silymarin are there and which is right for you?
- 6 Buying criteria: You can use these factors to compare and evaluate silymarin
- 7 Facts worth knowing about silymarin
The most important facts
- Silymarin is a mixture of active substances obtained from milk thistle.
- Silymarin is recognised in orthodox medicine and is used for liver diseases.
- The liver is the largest internal organ in humans and the main organ of the entire metabolism. Silymarin helps to keep the liver healthy.
The Best Silymarin: Our Picks
Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying Silymarin
What is silymarin?
However, it is not the milk thistle itself that produces these positive properties, but a mixture of active substances that is extracted from the dried fruits.
And this is where silymarin comes into play. Silymarin, as we have already told you, is a mixture of active ingredients. It consists of the four flavonolignans silibinin, isosilibinin, silychristin and silydianin. Silibinin is the main active ingredient here.
Silymarin is extracted from the fruits of the milk thistle. It is composed of four flavonolignans and is thus a mixture of active substances.
What does silymarin do?
Silymarin stabilises the cell membrane of the liver cells and stimulates the regenerative capacity of the hepatocytes, i.e. the liver cells. Put simply, silymarin ensures healthy and functional liver cells.
Silymarin not only protects your liver, but also supports it in cell regeneration and in the formation of new hepatocytes.
What diseases does silymarin help with?
Infection by a virus can lead to liver hepatitis. In some cases, the disease is chronic, depending on the pathogen. Hepatitis A, B and C in particular are triggered by a virus.
| Disease | Description |
|---|---|
| Hepatitis | Hepatitis is subdivided into hepatitis A, B and C. Viruses are often the trigger. In general, hepatitis refers to an inflammation of the liver regardless of the cause. |
| Fatty liver | Fatty liver can have various causes. It can be caused by alcohol, obesity, diabetes or viral hepatitis, among other things. Fat is deposited in the liver cells and a fatty liver develops. |
| Cirrhosis of the liver | Cirrhosis of the liver is usually the final stage of a previous liver disease. Cirrhosis is irreversible and the liver can no longer work properly. |
| Liver cancer | Liver cancer often goes undetected in the early stages because the cancer progresses without pain. Only later does pain in the right upper abdomen occur. Liver cancer often develops from cirrhosis of the liver. |
Silymarin has been successful as an active ingredient in all of these diseases. If you suffer from one of these diseases, consult your doctor and discuss treatment with silymarin.
Below is a list of signs of liver disease so that you can assess if your liver is doing well. It is important that you know the signs, because direct pain signals are rarely sent by the liver. Here is the overview:
- Fatigue
- Concentration disorders
- Itching
- Loss of appetite
- Weight changes
- Feeling of pressure in the upper abdomen
These signs can indicate liver disease. However, other causes can also be behind it.
How much does silymarin cost?
Drugstore products can be found as dietary supplements for as little as 5 euros. Pharmaceuticals are available in smaller quantities from 7 euros.
What alternatives are there to silymarin?
The first step to improving the condition of your liver is to change your lifestyle. Always make sure that you eat a healthy and balanced diet. This includes avoiding alcohol as much as possible, as alcohol affects the liver and can lead to fatty liver in the long term. Exercise is also essential for your health and your liver. In addition, a low-fat and sugar-free diet is the first choice.
There are foods that help your liver with its detoxification function. Grapefruit helps cleanse and regenerate the liver. Or garlic, which contributes to the optimal detox of your liver through its sulphur compounds.
Decision: What types of silymarin are there and which is right for you?
As with many medicines and herbal remedies, you can also choose between different dosage forms of silymarin. You can choose between silymarin capsules, tablets and powder. In the next section we will explain the advantages and disadvantages of each of these dosage forms.
What are silymarin capsules and what are the advantages and disadvantages?
Silymarin in capsule form is characterised by its ease of use. Silymarin capsules come in a tin from most manufacturers. Silymarin in capsule form is not suitable for you if you find it difficult to swallow larger capsules.
In this case, you should use another form of silymarin.
What are silymarin tablets and what are the advantages and disadvantages ?
Silymarin in tablet form also promises to be easy for you to use. The active ingredient extract is already contained in a tablet in sufficient quantity. You have to take the tablet according to the instructions on the package.
Silymarin is also available as a chewable tablet. If you find it difficult to swallow tablets, chewable tablets are a good alternative for you.
What is silymarin powder and what are the advantages and disadvantages ?
Another way to take silymarin is as a powder. The powder form is particularly suitable for you if you like to take medicines or food supplements with a drink. This variant of silymarin is more time-consuming than the other forms presented.
You would have to mix the powder into a drink or meal every morning or evening.
Buying criteria: You can use these factors to compare and evaluate silymarin
In the following, we will show you which aspects you can use to decide between the many possible silymarin products. Here you will find the criteria that will help you choose the right silymarin product:
- Package size
- Additives
- Vegan
- Quality
In the next sections, we will explain to you what is important in the individual criteria.
Package size
The package size is one of the most important buying criteria after you have decided on your purchase of a silymarin product. To do this, you should think about your exact purchase intention, why you want to take silymarin.
If you are only planning a short therapy with silymarin, then smaller pack sizes are worthwhile for your intention. However, if you are aiming for a long-term therapy with silymarin, then it is advisable to buy a larger quantity of silymarin.
Additives
You will not only find products on the market that consist of 100 percent silymarin. In most cases, there are other additives in addition to the active ingredient.
If you suffer from allergies or intolerances, such as celiac disease or lactose intolerance, you should pay special attention to the other ingredients. There are also preparations that contain artichoke or turmeric in addition to silymarin, which have their own benefits and can be combined with silymarin.
Vegan
If you follow a vegan diet or a vegan lifestyle in general, you should make sure that the capsules are not made from animal products such as gelatine. This is often the case. You should also read the ingredients of the product carefully to make sure that it meets vegan standards.
Quality
When buying a dietary supplement, it is very important to pay attention to the quality of the product, especially when buying from an online platform. Many online retailers try to acquire sales figures with fake quality seals.
Inferior quality can cause far-reaching damage to health. Therefore, always play it safe and seek advice from a doctor or pharmacist.
Facts worth knowing about silymarin
The origin of the active ingredient silymarin - milk thistle
The active ingredient complex silymarin is extracted from the milk thistle. You will also find this term on most medicines. The manufacturers often advertise with this attractive medicinal plant.
Therefore, we would like to give you a brief overview of the plant to which we owe the healing active ingredient silymarin. Milk thistle is, as its name suggests, a thistle. It grows up to 1.5 metres high and consists of green leaves that are strongly toothed and have white spots.
| PROFILE | |
|---|---|
| Name | Milk thistle |
| Origin | Mediterranean region |
| Botanical name | Silybum marianum |
| Plant family | Compositae |
| Flower | Purple |
| Flowering time | July - August |
| Leaf | Green with white spots |
| Use | As a medicinal plant it supports the liver |
The liver - our largest internal organ
The liver is a very important organ in your body and the largest internal organ at that. It can weigh up to 2 kilograms and is the main organ of your entire metabolism.
The liver metabolises fats, carbohydrates and proteins that you eat through your food. It also removes toxic substances from your blood. These substances enter your body, for example, through the consumption of alcohol or other toxins.
If you notice such a yellow colouration, please see a doctor.
Picture Source: 123rf.com / Cora M.
