Milk Thistle for diabetes?

63251 Views 26 Replies 16 Participants Last post by John.in.France, Apr 13, 2014

onaughmae

Discussion Starter · Mar 30, 2010

Last year I had some lab work done that showed some liver enzymes were a bit elevated.My primary doc wasn't very concerned about it so I wasn't either. A couple of months ago my endo checked my labs and they were even a bit higher. He sent me for an ultrasound and it is most likely due to some fatty liver issues that are not uncommon to T2 diabetics apparently. Well I did some research and started taking milk thistle for my liver. My last labs a week ago showed all normal levels. I have been reading a lot about it and I see many articles that it is believed that milk thistle also can be beneficial in diabetics that are experiencing insulin resistance.

Here is a quote from one such article... "Milk thistle, known to herbalists as Silymarin Marianum, is generally thought of as an antioxidant and a natural remedy for the liver but recent research has shown it can reduce fasting blood sugar levels. In a double blind clinical trial Type 2 Diabetics had a dramatic reduction in fasting blood sugar levels after they took 200 mg of Silymarin for 4 months. They also had a reduction in glycated hemoglobin which is another measure of blood sugar control."

I wonder if it is having any impact on my improving resistance....or is it a coincidence? Has anyone else had any experience with this?

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righteousdude2

· #2 · Mar 30, 2010

I Don't Think It's Coincidence...

onaughmae said:
Last year I had some lab work done that showed some liver enzymes were a bit elevated.My primary doc wasn't very concerned about it so I wasn't either. A couple of months ago my endo checked my labs and they were even a bit higher. He sent me for an ultrasound and it is most likely due to some fatty liver issues that are not uncommon to T2 diabetics apparently. Well I did some research and started taking milk thistle for my liver. My last labs a week ago showed all normal levels. I have been reading a lot about it and I see many articles that it is believed that milk thistle also can be beneficial in diabetics that are experiencing insulin resistance.

Here is a quote from one such article... "Milk thistle, known to herbalists as Silymarin Marianum, is generally thought of as an antioxidant and a natural remedy for the liver but recent research has shown it can reduce fasting blood sugar levels. In a double blind clinical trial Type 2 Diabetics had a dramatic reduction in fasting blood sugar levels after they took 200 mg of Silymarin for 4 months. They also had a reduction in glycated hemoglobin which is another measure of blood sugar control."

I wonder if it is having any impact on my improving resistance....or is it a coincidence? Has anyone else had any experience with this?

Pam,

I had the same problem with my liver more than 20 years ago. Like you, I came across Milk Thistle, by accident (12 years ago), and my enzyme levels normalized.

Funny that you ask about this herb and it helping with our blood sugar levels. As I've written, I overdosed on Novolog 13 days ago [by accident] and every since that night, my numbers were quite high, and all over the board. I couldn't seem to get them back below 120.

Than on Friday evening (3/26/10) while I was taking my night time meds, I looked up at the Milk Thistle bottle and wondered if I could increase to 2 tablets? The directions did say one or two tablets per day, so I took my second pill for the day, and my numbers began to normalize. By today, I've been normal on all readings, and I can't discount the fact that it may have something to do with the extra Milk Thistle clearing out the toxicity in my liver.

ainkiller:

May be you and I have hit on something, and it would be neat to see if any one else is experiencing the same effect.

Thanks for your post, it was timely, and, at least for us, our livers are being assisted by an herb to fight the toxic elements of the things we ingest...

Shalom,

Pastor Paul :fencing:

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KarenBC

· #3 · Mar 30, 2010

I also take milk thistle because of higher liver enzymes - (once a day in the morning,) but on reading your posts, I think I'll try adding it along with my evening meal. My sugars have been stablizing quite nicely in the last 3 months, perhaps the milk thistle is a part of that. I've been putting the better numbers down to a variety things, better diet, better testing, more exercise and quite a few supplements, but hadn't considered that milk thistle might be one of them.

onaughmae

Discussion Starter · #4 · Mar 30, 2010

KarenBC said:
I also take milk thistle because of higher liver enzymes - (once a day in the morning,) but on reading your posts, I think I'll try adding it along with my evening meal. My sugars have been stablizing quite nicely in the last 3 months, perhaps the milk thistle is a part of that. I've been putting the better numbers down to a variety things, better diet, better testing, more exercise and quite a few supplements, but hadn't considered that milk thistle might be one of them.

I have been taking it twice a day now for the last 2 months. I think I am going to keep taking it even though my liver enzymes went down to normal...maybe its helping my diabetes along also

Shanny

· #5 · Mar 30, 2010

Y'all just keep talkin'! I'm coming around to finding a new weapon in my diabetes arsenal! Thank you!

righteousdude2

· #6 · Mar 31, 2010

Does That Mean...

Shanny said:
Y'all just keep talkin'! I'm coming around to finding a new weapon in my diabetes arsenal! Thank you!

... we may be welcoming another Milk Thistle believer into the world??? :bounce:

breezeonby

· #7 · Mar 31, 2010

I don't have any liver enzyme issues, but the reduction of fasting blood sugar is of interest to me. I will check with Swanson Health Products to see what they say. I just looked through their catalog and Milk Thistle is inexpensive. You can get a bottle of 120 caps for $4.99. It says to take 2-3 per day. I don't mind taking herbs since they are considered food and usually cause no harm. Discount Vitamins and Supplements, Health Products at Lowest Price - Swanson Health Products has some of the best deals on vitamins and supplements with cheap shipping.

breezeonby

· #8 · Mar 31, 2010

onaughmae said:
Last year I had some lab work done that showed some liver enzymes were a bit elevated.My primary doc wasn't very concerned about it so I wasn't either. A couple of months ago my endo checked my labs and they were even a bit higher. He sent me for an ultrasound and it is most likely due to some fatty liver issues that are not uncommon to T2 diabetics apparently. Well I did some research and started taking milk thistle for my liver. My last labs a week ago showed all normal levels. I have been reading a lot about it and I see many articles that it is believed that milk thistle also can be beneficial in diabetics that are experiencing insulin resistance.

Here is a quote from one such article... "Milk thistle, known to herbalists as Silymarin Marianum, is generally thought of as an antioxidant and a natural remedy for the liver but recent research has shown it can reduce fasting blood sugar levels. In a double blind clinical trial Type 2 Diabetics had a dramatic reduction in fasting blood sugar levels after they took 200 mg of Silymarin for 4 months. They also had a reduction in glycated hemoglobin which is another measure of blood sugar control."

I wonder if it is having any impact on my improving resistance....or is it a coincidence? Has anyone else had any experience with this?

I just ordered my Milk Thistle. Can't wait to see if the works!

Shanny

· #9 · Mar 31, 2010

I've decided to try it too, but will wait 'til next week to start implementing. Too much going on this week with Easter & the cataract thing!

onaughmae

Discussion Starter · #10 · Mar 31, 2010

Hope you guys notice a difference, you will have to keep us updated. Most of the info I have seen says it can take a couple of months to see the benefit. Should be interesting to see what happens.

KarenBC

· #11 · Apr 1, 2010

I started making changes at the end of November, think I started the milk thistle in December, I agree the herbal stuff does take a bit of time to start to show results, but that's ok!

righteousdude2

· #12 · Apr 1, 2010

That's the Problem With Herbs...

onaughmae said:
Hope you guys notice a difference, you will have to keep us updated. Most of the info I have seen says it can take a couple of months to see the benefit. Should be interesting to see what happens.

... as Pam said, it does take 4 to 8 weeks for most herbs to work, so please don't be disappointed while you wait for the days to go by.

In a way, the time period that it takes for herbs to work has one positive... while we all know, all to well, that as we grow older, time flies by faster and faster. So, waiting the 4 to 8 weeks for the herb to take affect and work, you may notice that time could actually slow down, a little

Pastor Paul :ranger:

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breezeonby

· #13 · Apr 2, 2010

righteousdude2 said:
... as Pam said, it does take 4 to 8 weeks for most herbs to work, so please don't be disappointed while you wait for the days to go by.

In a way, the time period that it takes for herbs to work has one positive... while we all know, all to well, that as we grow older, time flies by faster and faster. So, waiting the 4 to 8 weeks for the herb to take affect and work, you may notice that time could actually slow down, a little

Pastor Paul :ranger:

I can deal with the wait. It took 3 months for my Actos to start to work. When there is a light at the end of the tunnel, the wait is worth it.

paulch67

· #14 · Mar 30, 2011

So what is the best way of taking Milk Thistle? I heard there are also some herbal chewing gums with milk thistle.

moon

· #15 · Mar 30, 2011

righteousdude2 said:
... as Pam said, it does take 4 to 8 weeks for most herbs to work, so please don't be disappointed while you wait for the days to go by.

Paul - I'm curious how you attribute milk thistle to improving your numbers in a couple of days if it takes this long to show results.

I admit to struggling to know my body really really well - but diabetes is going to get me there. I have fibromyalgia and in the beginning was a research demon. I tried so many different things, and when I was feeling better had a lot of trouble deconstructing what it could have been - there are so many variables! I know the simplest is to make just one change and wait - but easier said than done in a dynamic complex life.

I'm thinking of taking milk thistle as well, but bumping into the same issue potentially: was it the milk thistle? Increased exercise? Better sleep? Less stress? But if milk thistle is benign except for whatever it costs, then what the heck.

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lawprop

· #16 · Apr 14, 2011

Shanny said:
I've decided to try it too, but will wait 'til next week to start implementing. Too much going on this week with Easter & the cataract thing!

Now this sounds very interesting!!!! Shanny, as a fellow liver dumper I would be very interested to see if it helps with this.

I'm going to try it too. I'm staying in the 5.5 region most of the time now but I still get that liver dump problem every morning. If it can help with this I would be so happy.

Shanny

· #17 · Apr 14, 2011

Well hey, Matt! Welcome back!

lawprop said:
Now this sounds very interesting!!!! Shanny, as a fellow liver dumper I would be very interested to see if it helps with this.

I'm going to try it too. I'm staying in the 5.5 region most of the time now but I still get that liver dump problem every morning. If it can help with this I would be so happy.

Wink

· #18 · Apr 14, 2011

I was going to quit taking Milk Thistle because I haven't been able to pin down any actual benefit but my doc convinced me to keep taking it. No side effects and does at least protect your liver so I'm still taking it.

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righteousdude2

· #19 · Apr 14, 2011

Liver Enzymes Returned to Normal

moon said:
Paul - I'm curious how you attribute milk thistle to improving your numbers in a couple of days if it takes this long to show results.

I admit to struggling to know my body really really well - but diabetes is going to get me there. I have fibromyalgia and in the beginning was a research demon. I tried so many different things, and when I was feeling better had a lot of trouble deconstructing what it could have been - there are so many variables! I know the simplest is to make just one change and wait - but easier said than done in a dynamic complex life.

I'm thinking of taking milk thistle as well, but bumping into the same issue potentially: was it the milk thistle? Increased exercise? Better sleep? Less stress? But if milk thistle is benign except for whatever it costs, then what the heck.

For more than six years my liver enzyme tests were a concern to my doctors, which led one to suggest milk thistle. Of course, this was maybe fifteen years ago now, and I wasn't too much into herbs. However, I tried it and about a year later I noticed my enzymes went down, and within three years, my numbers were well within the normal range, and they have never tested bad again.

I'm a believer now. It does take time to see changes. I just wish there was something I could take for the kidneys that work as well as milk thistle.

Pastor Paul

foxl

· #20 · Apr 14, 2011

I helped a cat with inflammatory bowel disease, using milk thistle. No idea if it worked or not, but from I have read it is good stuff, and no harm or side effects!

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