Why one would possibly take Milk Thistle whilst living in Hampstead?
In my previous work in Health Education, Silymarin featured quite regularly
in the discourse of the wealthy substance abusers (mostly alcohol
dependencies). Info attached.
Cheers
Mary
****************
Silybum marianum
INDICATIONS: Studies have shown benefit of silymarin in chemical-induced
liver damage(1), cirrhosis(2), viral hepatitis(3), gallstones(4) and
psoriasis(5). Studies show that silymarin bound to phosphatidyl choline is
better absorbed and more effective.
DOSAGE: 70 TO 210 MG TID with the best results at a higher dosage of 140mg
TID. If bound to phosphatidylcholine, the dosage is 100 to 200mg BID.
Alcohol extracts are contraindicated in these clinical circumstances.
SIDE EFFECTS AND INTERACTIONS: It can produce loose stools due to its
choleretic activity. Bile-sequestering fiber compounds such as guar gum,
pectin, psyllium or oat bran can be used concurrently. No toxicity has been
found.
Milk thistle is stout, annual or biennial plant found on dry rocky soils in
southern and western Europe and some parts of the United States. It contains
silymarin, a mixture of various flavonolignans, the most biologically active
being silibin. Silymarin is one of the most potent hepato-protective
substances known. It acts as an anti-oxidant, being 10 times more potent in
this regard then vitamin E. It increases glutathione(GSH) liver content
thereby increasing the livers detoxifying capacity. Silymarin also inhibits
lipoxygenase, an enzyme that produces liver damaging leukotrienes.
Administered before ingestion, silymarin is 100% effective in preventing
amanita phalloides toxicity, the toxins from this mushroom being the most
hepatotoxic substances known. Additionally, silymarin stimulates protein
synthesis in the liver, resulting in the replacement of damaged cells with
new ones.
Palasciano G, Portincasa P, et al. The effect of silymarin on plasma levels
of malondialdehyde in patients receiving long-term treatment with
psychotropic drugs. Curr Ther Res 1994; 55: 537-45
Ferenci P, Dragosics B, Dittrich H, et al. Randomized controlled trial of
silymarin treatment in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. J Hepatol 1989;
9:105-13
Buzzelli G, Moscarella S, et al. A pilot study on the liver protective
effect of silybin-phosphatidylcholine complex(IdB1016) in chronic active
hepatitis. Int J Clin Pharm Ther Toxicol 1993; 31(9): 456-60
Nassauto G, et al. Effect of silibinin on biliary lipid composition.
Experimental and clinical study. J Hepatol 12, 290-295, 1991
Weber G and Galle K: The liver, a therapeutic target in dermatosis. Med Welt
34, 108-111, 1983
-----Original Message-----
From: Accident and Emergency Academic List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Adrian Fogarty
Sent: 24 February 2004 14:12
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: What am I missing here?
Helen Deborah Vecht wrote:
>Have you any news on the ENP?
Ah, all becoming clear now (in more ways than one)! His vision is gradually
returning to normal; remained blurred over the weekend, but has almost
returned to normal - but not quite - by today. He now admits to having taken
a homeopathic remedy known as Milk Thistle over the last few weeks.
His own research over the weekend (using reading glasses!) revealed that
this can have anticholinergic side-effects so he duly stopped it. Don't ask
me why he was taking Milk Thistle, but this is Hampstead you know! I suppose
I can't really blame my ever-so-keen junior registrar for not picking this
up during her consultation as I think the patient himself was somewhat
guilty of being taciturn. But it's a lesson to all of us: ask about drugs;
to include recreational, allopathic and homeopathic!
Adrian Fogarty
P.S. Helen, I do hope your dinner-fork scotoma resolved!
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