Life Extension Advanced Milk Thistle

Supplement Facts

Serving Size: 2 Softgels

Amount Per Serving

%DV

Milk Thistle Phospholipid Proprietary BlendMilk thistle extract (fruit) [providing 480 mg silymarin, 180 mg silybin, 48 mg isosilybin A and isosilybin B], phospholipids

760 mg

SILIPHOS® phytosome milk thistle extract (fruit) [providing 47.52 mg silybin]

160 mg

The product is found useful for the following medical conditions

Hepatitis details

SCIENTIFIC SCORE

Questionable

Based on 3 Researches

Milk thistle shows potential in treatment

Payer BA, Reiberger T, Rutter K, Beinhardt S, Staettermayer AF, et al. Successful HCV eradication and inhibition of HIV replication by intravenous silibinin in an HIV-HCV coinfected patient. J Clin Virol. 2010;49:131. doi:10.1016/j.jcv.2010.07.006

We explored the potential of intravenous silibinin, a milk thistle extract, in treating an HIV-HCV coinfected patient who didn't respond to standard therapy. After just two weeks of silibinin treatment, both HCV and HIV levels became undetectable.

While silibinin appeared promising, leading to a trend of increased CD4+ cells, the follow-up showed that HIV levels returned to their previous state after stopping additional therapy.

These findings suggest that while silibinin may help some, more research is needed to understand its benefits fully.

Effective liver support

Most Useful Review

97 people found this helpful

One of the best liver drugs for both prevention and treatment! I occasionally purchase this product for my mother, who suffers from chronic viral hepatitis, as liver support is vital for her. Milk thistle ranks highly among hepatic herbs due to its efficacy. The bioactive compound silybin is not water-soluble, which hinders absorption. However, with phosphatidylcholine encapsulating silybin, its bioavailability for the liver is significantly enhanced, making it ten times more effective than pure silymarin. This results in better protection of liver cells, detoxification, stimulation of healthy cell growth, bile production, and reduced autoimmune reactions. My mother is pleased with the results, confirmed by analyses, taking it at night during optimal liver bioactivity.

Updated: Mar 2026

We investigated the potential heart health benefits of 2,3-dehydrosilybin (DHS), a component of silybum marianum. In our study, rats' isolated hearts were treated with low doses of DHS before experiencing induced heart attacks and subsequent recovery.

The results showed that DHS significantly reduced heart tissue damage compared to untreated hearts, suggesting it has a protective effect. This effect is linked to specific signaling pathways in the heart. Overall, our research highlights the promising cardioprotective properties of this natural compound.

Fatty liver improvement

Most Useful Review

10 people found this helpful

I have been using this product regularly with phosphatidyl choline (PC) to rid myself of the dreaded NAFLD. My doctor informed me that the fatty liver disease is no longer present! Nonetheless, I continue taking this along with the PC after a fatty lunch each day. As of August 2021, I am still using it.

Updated: Apr 2025

Blood Clot details

SCIENTIFIC SCORE

Possibly Effective

Based on 2 Researches

Flavonolignans reduce platelet activity

Bijak M, Saluk-Bijak J. Flavonolignans inhibit the arachidonic acid pathway in blood platelets. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017;17:396. doi:10.1186/s12906-017-1897-7

We aimed to explore how flavonolignans from silybum marianum, specifically silybin, silychristin, and silydianin, affect blood clotting through the COX pathway in platelets. Our methods involved analyzing platelet aggregation and the formation of COX pathway metabolites.

The findings were promising; these compounds showed a reduction in platelet aggregation and COX activity. Silychristin and silybin emerged as the most effective inhibitors, potentially acting as competitive blockers at the active COX site. This suggests that flavonolignans might offer new avenues for antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory therapies.

Liver function normalised

Most Useful Review

7 people found this helpful

I had fatty liver and was advised to exercise and maintain a healthy diet. Unfortunately, I struggled to follow through. I took these tablets for months, and my last blood test showed my liver has returned to normal. I continue to take them, hoping to maintain my liver function.

Updated: Mar 2026

Cardiovascular Disease details

SCIENTIFIC SCORE

Moderately Effective

Based on 11 Researches

SM reduces cardiac triglyceride levels

Vilahur G, Sutelman P, Mendieta G, Ben-Aicha S, Borrell-Pages M, et al. Triglyceride-induced cardiac lipotoxicity is mitigated by Silybum marianum. Atherosclerosis. 2021;324:91. doi:10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2021.03.014

We examined the effects of Silybum marianum (SM) on heart health through a study on pigs with myocardial infarction. Our findings revealed that administering SM for ten days significantly lowered plasma triglycerides and reduced triglyceride absorption.

Notably, this outcome correlated with reduced cardiac lipotoxicity three weeks after the heart incident and better cardiac structure. Importantly, we observed no adverse effects from SM. Overall, while SM shows promise in improving certain heart conditions, further research could clarify its broader application.

Fatty liver improvement

Most Useful Review

10 people found this helpful

I have been using this product regularly with phosphatidyl choline (PC) to rid myself of the dreaded NAFLD. My doctor informed me that I no longer have fatty liver disease! I continue to take this along with the PC after a fatty lunch each day.

Updated: Apr 2025

Food Poisoning details

6 people found this helpful

Milk Thistle is very beneficial for liver protection, especially for those working night shifts. Bad breath can indicate liver inflammation after late hours, but after consuming this health food, I noticed a reduction in inflammation and an improvement in bad breath within two hours. I highly recommend it to those in need of liver support.

Updated: Apr 2025

High Cholesterol details

SCIENTIFIC SCORE

Possibly Effective

Based on 16 Researches

Silymarin positively influences cholesterol

Ebrahimpour-Koujan S, Gargari BP, Mobasseri M, Valizadeh H, Asghari-Jafarabadi M. Lower glycemic indices and lipid profile among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who received novel dose of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (silymarin) extract supplement: A Triple-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial. Phytomedicine. 2018;44:39. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2018.03.050

We conducted a triple-blinded randomized clinical trial with 40 type 2 diabetes patients to see how silymarin impacts cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Over 45 days, participants received either silymarin or a placebo.

Our findings showed that those taking silymarin experienced significant improvements. They had lower fasting blood sugar, reduced triglycerides, and improved levels of good HDL cholesterol.

However, while the results are promising, further research is necessary to confirm these benefits for managing cholesterol in diabetes patients.

Highly recommended product

Most Useful Review

11 people found this helpful

The most effective product for liver health! After years of researching liver support on iHerb, I've found that silybin from milk thistle significantly improves hepatocyte health. This formulation has the highest silybin dosage in a capsule, particularly in liposomal form for better absorption. I take it regularly at night due to my liver rhythm. The quality is outstanding, with no side effects, and I recommend combining it with R-lipoic acid and dandelion for enhanced benefits.

Updated: Apr 2025

Autoimmune Disorder details

SCIENTIFIC SCORE

Moderately Effective

Based on 9 Researches

Silybin shows promise for autoimmune disorders

Yang HL, Shi XW. Silybin Alleviates Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis by Suppressing Dendritic Cell Activation and Th17 Cell Differentiation. Front Neurol. 2021;12:659678. doi:10.3389/fneur.2021.659678

We investigated how silybin, a unique flavonoid found in certain plants, impacts autoimmune disorders, specifically using a model for multiple sclerosis called experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).

In our study, silybin significantly reduced disease severity, inflammation, and damage to the central nervous system (CNS) in EAE mice.

The findings suggest that silybin works by inhibiting the activation of dendritic cells and reducing harmful Th17 cell differentiation. This positions silybin as a promising candidate for new treatments aimed at autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis.

Good detox support

Most Useful Review

1 people found this helpful

I'm ordering this for the second time, and both my husband and I find it suits us well. The quality is excellent, the tablet size is manageable, the ingredients are natural, and the taste is neutral. My liver feels rewarded with the benefits of this good detox supplement, particularly useful for bile stagnation. I plan to order this again as it is the most natural remedy for the liver.

Updated: Mar 2026

Bone Pain details

3 people found this helpful

Abdomen pain stopped; this is the best product.

Updated: Apr 2025

Cholecystitis details

Effective for Cholecystitis

Most Useful Review

29 people found this helpful

Natural milk thistle extract has been beneficial for my liver and gallbladder. I suffer from poor bile flow, and as soon as I experience discomfort in my right side, I take Milk Thistle. Within a couple of days, I feel relief, and by the third day, the heaviness in my right hypochondrium completely disappears. I continue taking it for another 10-15 days to maintain the effect, which is both persistent and long-lasting. My doctor recommended taking it 15-20 minutes before meals. I'm confident in its effectiveness, having experienced results personally. I even ordered it for my girlfriend, who had liver issues post-pregnancy. After two weeks on Silymarin, her test results normalised for the first time in months, and her symptoms improved. I did not experience side effects while on it, and highly recommend this natural remedy.

Updated: Apr 2025

Pelvic Pain details

3 people found this helpful

Abdomen pain stopped; this is the best product.

Updated: Mar 2026

Liver Disease details

SCIENTIFIC SCORE

Possibly Effective

Based on 16 Researches

Silymarin improves liver protection

Okiljević B, Martić N, Govedarica S, Andrejić Višnjić B, Bosanac M, et al. Cardioprotective and Hepatoprotective Potential of Silymarin in Paracetamol-Induced Oxidative Stress. Pharmaceutics. 2024;16. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics16040520

We investigated the effects of silymarin on liver and heart health under oxidative stress from paracetamol. In a controlled study with 28 male mice, silymarin showed a strong potential to reduce liver injury markers and improve liver enzyme levels after treatment.

Histopathological assessments revealed less tissue damage and inflammation in mice treated with silymarin compared to those that only received paracetamol. Overall, these findings demonstrate that silymarin is a promising option to help protect the liver and heart from oxidative stress-related injury.

8.5

Detoxification support

Most Useful Review

33 people found this helpful

After my brother-in-law's liver cancer diagnosis, his doctor recommended European milk thistle for its detoxifying properties. I've taken it for seven years, with excellent liver and kidney results. My new doctor is pleased with my consistent use.