Studies Suggest Milk Thistle Aids in Alleviating Emphysema Symptoms

(Newswire.net — October 17, 2022) Orlando, FL — Staggering statistics warn that more than three million Americans have been diagnosed with emphysema. 

According to experts, the development of this condition stems from irreversible damage to the linings of the tiny air sacs in the lungs. It leads to damage in the fragile tissues between air sacs and there are usually formations of air pockets in the lungs. 

As the air gets trapped, the lungs grow larger and this produces breathing troubles. Health authorities warn that the main cause of emphysema is long-term exposure to airborne irritants. These particularly include marijuana smoke, tobacco smoke, air pollution, chemical fumes, and dust.

It is worth realizing that in rare cases, emphysema is triggered by an inherited deficiency of a certain protein. This is a type of protein that offers protection to the elastic structures in the lungs. When this happens, it is called alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency emphysema.

There are many ways to manage this condition, and one involves the use of plant-based remedies like milk thistle. Previous research studies have shown this remedy has various healing benefits.

A study was published in the journal called Inflammation.

In this research, the investigators exposed mice to an equivalent of 1.5 packs of cigarettes a day for four weeks. It is worth noting that this created drastic increases in peribronchial inflammation, thickening of airway walls, and airway obstruction.

It has been found that pretreatment of silymarin one hour before exposure has dramatically reduced inflammatory changes. What makes the results even more astonishing is that they also cut the production of pro-inflammatory chemicals like TNF-alpha and interleukin. 

Silymarin is a component of milk thistle that scientists have been researching due to its strong medicinal value. 

According to researchers, silymarin also aids in safeguarding levels of superoxide dismutase. It is worth mentioning this is an essential disease-fighting antioxidant produced in the body.

Another study was carried out and published in the Scientific Report. 

This study of human bronchial cells involved looking into the molecular and cellular mechanisms of silymarin. It has been time and again found that this therapeutic compound worked in attenuating cigarette smoke-induced upregulation of pro-inflammatory chemicals.

Scientists also found that silymarin worked in modulating a certain pathway, which is known as the MAPK, which governs inflammation.

There are many health benefits linked with the use of this remedy. Formulas like Divine Bounty Milk Thistle could be an excellent choice as it is highly potent and pure (https://www.amazon.com/Milk-Thistle-Supplement-Standardized-Extract/dp/B01LWI4A51).