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Milk Thistle

by | Jan 1, 2010

Post Categories: Health Conditions | Nutrition and Lifestyle | Supplements

Tests Show Many Milk Thistle Supplements Low in Key Component

A recent review by ConsumerLab.com of ten milk thistle supplements showed that only one met ConsumerLab.com’s quality standards. Two products failed to properly list the part of the milk thistle plant used – a Food and Drug Administration requirement. Among the remaining supplements, only one contained the expected amount of silymarin compounds, which are believed to be the active constituents of milk thistle. Studies suggest silymarin may be helpful in type 2 diabetes and, possibly, certain liver conditions. While most products claimed that their milk thistle extracts were standardized to 80% silymarin, ConsumerLab.com found actual amounts to range from 47% to 67%. Sales of milk thistle in the US have climbed for several years, reaching $95 million in 2008 according to the latest figures from Nutrition Business Journal.

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