A young coworker was complaining of pain in his kidneys a month

[HysteryDiagnosis]

or so ago.... I told him to get them checked. I also told him that Milk Thistle supports liver function. He bought Milk Thistle... started taking it and his pains subsided. Then he quit it for a couple weeks cuz, well you know, he didn't believe it. Pain returned... recently (a week ago) he restarted it and has gotten relief. Imagine that if you will.

On Edit: He has had this for a while... it isn't a "sudden onset" type of thing.

1: Planta Med. 1989 Oct;55(5):420-2. Related Articles, Links
Selectivity of silymarin on the increase of the glutathione content in different tissues of the rat.

Valenzuela A, Aspillaga M, Vial S, Guerra R.

Silymarin, a flavonoid extracted from the seeds of the milk thistle, Silybum marianum, increases the redox state and the total glutathione content of the liver, intestine, and stomach of the rat. The same treatment does not affect the levels of the tripeptides in the kidney, lung, and spleen. This selective effect of the flavonoid on the digestive organs is ascribed to its pharmacokinetics on the digestive track, where the biliary concentration of silymarin is increased and maintained via the entero-hepatic circulation.

PMID: 2813578

[helderheid]

1. I have total faith in milk thistle. Thanks for the reminder - forgot to

take it today.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

3. Have you seen this??? Been a long time coming......

1: Gastroenterol Nurs. 2001 Mar-Apr;24(2):95-7. Related Articles, Links


Milk thistle and the treatment of hepatitis.

Giese LA.

Gastroenterology nurses and associates will find it helpful to be informed about milk thistle (silybum marianum), a popular, safe and promising herb used by patients with liver disease. Silymarin is a derivative from the milk thistle plant with few side effects that has been safely used for centuries to treat liver ailments. Since the 1970s, there has been a reemergence of the marketing and use of silymarin. Research results of some small studies suggest silymarin has hepatoprotective, antiinflammatory, and regenerative properties producing a beneficial effect for some types of hepatitis. It is unclear, however, whether silymarin might interfere with the effect of interferon or ribavirin. A well-designed, placebo-controlled study of a larger population is needed. It is certainly encouraging that a large collaborative study is currently underway for milk thistle therapy in hepatitis C. This study is funded by NCCAM, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Research updates are available online at www.nccam.nih.gov and through the NCCAM Clearinghouse at 1-888-644-6226.

Publication Types:
Review
Review, Tutorial

PMID: 11847735

[SmokingJacket]

2. I still hope he gets it checked out.

Maybe he's treating the symptom, but not the cause... hard to know until you find out what's actually going on in there.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

4. Yes... I will prod him to get it looked into.... it is the right thing to

do... I am not a rabid naturalist... I do understand the limitations of antioxidant therapies.... I wish millions of others knew the potential benefits of them in various MEDICAL conditions.

[SmokingJacket]

8. I wish traditional medicine explored natural therapies more --

after all, it's all about chemicals interacting with other chemicals.

It's a pity that if a chemical compound is natural, and therefore not patentable, it's rarely taken seriously by the medical establishment and examined carefully for its potential benefits. (One of the main issues I have with capitalism, btw)

[HysteryDiagnosis]

18. Socialized medicine is more concerned with what works rather

than pleasing the pharmcos who have purchased OUR REPRESENTATIVES.


http://www.motherjones.com/news/outfront/2004/05/04_405.html
Not all of Bush's top fundraisers are attracted simply by the president's pro-business, anti-regulatory approach; some have very specific agendas of their own that the administration has favored, sometimes in direct contradiction of its broader policies. Rangers and Pioneers from Florida-based sugar companies, for example, have been pushing federal officials to exempt their industry from free-trade agreements with Australia and Central American countries. In January, according to the journal Inside U.S. Trade, sugar lobbyists met with Rove, who then contacted U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick. Despite its stated commitment to free trade, the administration quickly changed course. The Australian trade pact was rewritten to keep barriers against foreign sugar in place; meanwhile, negotiations on the Central American pact are continuing.

[HughMoran]

5. I take milk thistle daily

It's interesting to know what other uses it has

[HysteryDiagnosis]

7. It's interesting to know what other uses it has

that up.... here's the deal.

Your liver produces "glutathione". It protects itself against chemical injury and oxidative stress with glutathione. Milk thistle and its components enhance the liver's ability to produce glutathione. Therefore 2+2=4... your liver functions better and processes out chemicals and toxins from your body more efficiently when supported by milk thistle. Simple, safe and proven. There is absolutely no question about it.

[Wilms]

12. My dog survived a rattle-snake bite.

One of the vets that got him through prescribed milk thistle, and I think that was to address the anti-venom caused stress.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

16. Most things that harm our tissues..... are oxidants. Many chemicals

are oxidants. Many of the byproducts from normal respiration and just plain being alive are oxidants. Milk thistle, pycnogenol, L-Methionine, Lipoic Acid, Manapol, and others are premier anti-oxidants. I certainly hope this truthful, honest, and valuable thread doesn't get locked, at least not for awhile.

[calimary]

9. Welcome to DU!

Help us with that other systemic cure that starts with...

IMPEACHMENT!!!!!

I mean, as long as you're here... :D

[HughMoran]

19. I'll do what I can!

What herbs are good for impeachment, I wonder...

:hi:

[HysteryDiagnosis]

14. Oh and welcome to DU didn't note your post count.... love your

name.... Huge Moron.... heh heh heh.....

On Edit: I hope I didn't misspeak, I hope your name is a handle and not your actual name... you know what I mean... sorry if I offended, glad if I made you laugh.

[HughMoran]

20. Yup, and thanks for the welcome

:pals:

[u4ic]

28. Welcome to DU, HughMoran!

:toast:

[Dr.Phool]

6. I know someone who was in a clinical trial

Very controled, inpatient for a Hepatitis C drug. Before and during the trial, they weren't allowed to take any supplements other than milk thistle, and were advised by the study's director to take it all the time, because it's been proven beneficial.

And it wasn't a milk thistle study, but a placebo controled, double blind, investigative drug trial.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

11. This is how the pharmcos screw us. Let me explain something to

you about how these guys do things. Say for example, if a doctor heals several persons from hepatitis, cirrhosis and toxic mushroom poisoning with MILK THISTLE, Lipoic ACID, and Dandelion Root... then that is how he did it.

He didn't do it with Milk Thistle.

He didn't do it with Lipoic Acid.

He didn't do it with Dandelion Root.

He did it with all three working together in a synergistic fashion.

Synergy is a four letter word to the pharmcos.... and they know it.

These grow in the field next to me btw... I am sure you have seen them around pastures and other scenic places....


http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/MilkThistlech.html
Overview

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has been used since Greco-Roman times as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments, particularly liver problems. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries physicians in the United States used milk thistle seeds to relieve congestion of the liver, spleen, and kidneys. Today, several scientific studies suggest that active substances in milk thistle (particularly silymarin) protect the liver from damage caused by viruses, toxins, alcohol, and certain drugs such as acetaminophen (a common over the counter medication used for headaches and pain; acetaminophen, also called paracetamol, can cause liver damage if taken in large quantities or by people who drink alcohol regularly.)

Many professional herbalists recommend milk thistle extract for the prevention and/or treatment of various liver disorders including viral hepatitis, fatty liver associated with long term alcohol use, and liver damage from drugs and industrial toxins such as carbon tetrachloride.

[NorthernSpy]

10. I thought that silymarin had to be injected to be effective...

... perhaps not?

:think:

[HysteryDiagnosis]

17. Never head that.... curious.... nt.

[Quakerfriend]

13. I'm a biochemist and nutritionist and spent many yrs doing

research for the NIH- Milk thistle is a wonderful thing for the liver!

But, did he take it for kidney pain or liver probs?? I've never heard of its benefits for the kidneys.

And, I have a little something to share with you. This is purely anecdotal and not documented in the medical literature. I am amazed at what L- Methionine does for the liver! I took this on the advice of a naturopath several years ago. I have since rec'd to two individuals with chronically elevated liver enzymes (2x high normal) (Due to hepatitis A and C, respectively)- Both had their liver enzymes return to NORMAL within 30 days!! Both individuals took 500mg L-Methionine 3x daily with meals. Just my experience!!

[HysteryDiagnosis]

15. Waycool.... glad you have this sort of experience giving a

thumbsup... now, if you are ready to take a jump, a real jump...

www.glycoexpert.com

P.S. I have nothing to do with this site.... enjoy.

[Quakerfriend]

21. Yes, I am familiar with glyconutrients!

Nutrition is the answer for all that ails us, this I know.

And, please know I always appreciate your info. 4MoronicYears! You've got great stuff.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

24. I always appreciate your info

little crazy now and then admittedly.... but I try to make a good case for some of the stuff I am passionate about.... one thing I know for sure.... if glyconutrients were a drug... and if Merck owned the patent.... they would be screaming about it from the rooftops.... and they would be able to retire probably 50% of their medications, no kidding. Glad you are aware of them.... ciao!

[illflem]

22. Little off topic but along the same lines

When I turned 60 my eyesight started going as which usually happens with aging. I've never needed glasses. Started taking Bilberry (huckleberry)caps two years ago.
Vision has been perfect since then.

[Quakerfriend]

23. That's great! I , too, notice a dramatic change in my vision

after taking bilberry. I don't take it every day, but when I do I notice that my vision becomes very clear within just 2 hours!

[ismnotwasm]

25. Please have your friend get checked out

I know threads like this usually get locked. I'm all for naturopathic medicine, but I also work as a nurse on a transplant unit. It's always good to know what your lab values are--and what they mean to your body. HCV can lay quietly destroying the liver without the person knowing it. Kidneys will function until the majority of the functional parts are damaged. If a naturopathic doctor can prescribe the appropriate approach, I'm all for it. But doing it on your own can be dangerous

[HysteryDiagnosis]

27. Point taken, will inform the young man about what you have

stated.... and thank you.

FYI:

1: Mol Cell Biochem. 2005 Aug;276(1-2):31-7. Related Articles, Links
Click here to read
Comparative analysis of the protective effects of melatonin and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on mobile phone-induced renal impairment in rat.

Ozguner F, Oktem F, Armagan A, Yilmaz R, Koyu A, Demirel R, Vural H, Uz E.

Departments of Physiology, School of Medicine, Suleyman Demirel University, P. K. 13 32100, Isparta, Turkey, [e-mail].

Melatonin and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a component of honeybee propolis, were recently found to be potent free radical scavengers and antioxidants. There are a number of reports on the effects induced by electromagnetic radiation (EMR) in various cellular systems. Mechanisms of adverse effects of EMR indicate that reactive oxygen species may play a role in the biological effects of this radiation.

The present study was carried out to compare the protective effects of melatonin and CAPE against 900 MHz EMR emitted mobile phone-induced renal tubular injury. Melatonin was administered whereas CAPE was given for 10 days before the exposure. Urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG, a marker of renal tubular injury) and malondialdehyde (MDA, an index of lipid peroxidation), were used as markers of oxidative stress-induced renal impairment in rats exposed to EMR.

Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were studied to evaluate the changes of antioxidant status in renal tissue. Urinary NAG and renal MDA were increased in EMR exposed rats while both melatonin and CAPE caused a significant reduction in the levels of these parameters. Likewise, renal SOD and GSH-Px activities were decreased in EMR exposed animals while melatonin caused a significant increase in the activities of these antioxidant enzymes but CAPE did not. Melatonin caused a significant decrease in urinary NAG activity and MDA levels which were increased because of EMR exposure.

CAPE also reduced elevated MDA levels in EMR exposed renal tissue, but the effect of melatonin was more potent than that of CAPE. Furthermore, treatment of EMR exposed rats with melatonin increased activities of SOD and GSH-Px to higher levels than those of control rats. In conclusion, melatonin and CAPE prevent renal tubular injury by reducing oxidative stress and protect the kidney from oxidative damage induced by 900 MHz mobile phone. Nevertheless, melatonin seems to be a more potent antioxidant compared with CAPE in kidney. (Mol Cell Biochem 276: 31-37, 2005).

PMID: 16132682

[DELUSIONAL]

26. We will probably seeing more cases of liver failure and

liver dysfunction -- due to the hugh increase of High Fructose Corn Syrup.

The liver needs to produce an enzyme to digest HGC Syrup - this is very nasty stuff.

I expect that Milk Thistle would be beneficial to anyone who drinks a lot of coke and HGCS sweetened pop.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

29. Woah.... didn't know.... shouldn't there be some sort of warning

label on these frankenfoods???