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Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1  ADDITIONAL INFO ON MILK THISTLE:
Fortunately, research suggests that milk thistle extract not only prevents damage to the liver, but also helps repair it.First, milk thistle is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants protect us from chemicals in our bodies called free radicals. Exposure to environmental toxins can increase free radicals in the body, which can do a lot of damage to our cells. This is called oxidation and can eventually lead to cancer, heart disease, and arthritis. Milk thistle protects the liver against harmful oxidation.
Secondly, while we don’t necessarily think of medications as “toxins,” many over the counter drugs and prescription medications can hurt the liver if taken in large enough doses or for long periods of time. Researchers have found that milk thistle can actually prevent or reduce medication induced liver damage. If you have been giving your pet medication and are concerned about the aftermath of chemicals residing in the body, milk thistle will help flush those out.
Thirdly, if the liver has been weakened due to a bevy of reasons, it is unable to break down toxins. In order to combat allergens, the body produces histamine. The liver plays a role in this process; it removes the histamine from the body. If the liver is weakened and congested with toxins, the liver struggles and histamine builds up in the body, leading to more allergic reactions.
Additional Uses
Milk thistle not only helps treat and prevent liver disease. Below is a list of treatment claims linked to the plant:
Kidney disease
If there has been kidney damage to your pet because of an infection milk thistle has been show to greatly decrease the amount of time it takes your pet to heal.
Pancreatitis
Although rare in cats, pancreatitis is very common in dogs. Milk thistle can be given to your dog and cat to help alleviate the symptoms.
Cancer
Milk thistle has been shown to decrease the effects of cancer in a pet’s body. While there haven’t been many studies done, there have been enough that it has shown improvement and helps protect against the potential for cancer in your pet.
Diabetes
Pets suffering from diabetes that are given milk thistle at least once per week have been shown to not have to have nearly the amount of insulin that they would have had to take otherwise.
Clearly, milk thistle has an array of positive effects throughout the body.
However, milk thistle should not be used as a preventative, or a “just in case”; rather, it should be used as a means of cleansing the liver after exposure to toxins (i.e. drugs, vaccines, chemicals, etc.) or as a treatment to liver damage. Milk thistle stimulates the growth of new liver cells in order to replace those that are dead or dying, and helps protect against toxins which could cause further damage.
Remember, medicinal herbs shouldn’t be used for extended periods of time. Gregory L. Tilford and Mary L. Wulff explain in their book entitled Herbs for Pets: The Natural Way to Enhance your Pet’s Life: “ Milk thistle is a medicine that is best reserved for situations in which the liver is already under abnormal stress.” Most holistic doctors feel that milk thistle should be administered for 3-6 weeks with a 1-3 week break. |
I was looking for scientific evidence. I understand lots of people believe or feel things but from my reading I could only see that milk thistle was supported for liver problems, and read nothing about giving it and taking if off, in fact I read just the opposite, if your animal is on it, don't stop it without discussing it with your vet. Also, many vet don't think it should be given for "whatever" or just in case, and think it might do more harm than good. I'm not saying that it isn't good for other things, I'm only saying that the scientific evidence isn't there yet. However, there is evidence that it helps liver problems. As far as "detoxing the kidneys" many people using the word detox incorrectly and from my reading milk thistle doesn't do this. I also can't find anything about dog milk thistle vs. human milk thistle, but I haven't investigated intensively, I just wonder if you are getting some of this information from people selling the milk thistle? Again, I'm not trying to convince anyone of anything, but these different supplements are not without side effects, and should be used with your vets recommendations and advice.