(Newswire.net — January 8, 2022) —
While milk thistle has been used for thousands of years as complementary and alternative medicine, though it is unlikely to result in high levels of weight loss benefits. To lose weight, you must expend more energy (calories) each day than you take in.
The study on the use of milk thistle and its active ingredient, silymarin, for weight loss is still very preliminary. Before taking this supplement, you can consult your doctor as it may not be suitable for everyone.
Milk Thistle and Weight Loss
Milk Thistle has been shown to help regulate blood sugar levels, which may be one reason why some people use it when they want to lose weight.
In one study published in the journal Medicacula Pharmaceutica Polonica in October 2006, researchers found that taking an extract from milk thistle (silymarin) alongside the diabetic drug glyburide helped improve glucose tolerance. Using both treatments together was better than either one used alone for losing weight and decreasing BMI during the 120 days of the trial.
Some individuals discover that milk thistle has a laxative impact that may lead to some reduction of water weight, but it is unlikely to trigger any permanent reduction of fat.
Blood Sugar Control and Weight Loss
According to a 2009 animal study released in Koomesh, the Journal of Semnan Medical Sciences University, Silymarin may assist in reduced blood sugar levels.
Diets that assist keep steadier concentrations of blood sugar can help with weight loss, which may be part of the cause why a product that may assist with blood sugar control is being introduced for weight loss purposes.
It may not always be better for people who want to lose weight to use supplements instead of cutting back on their intake of foods containing carbohydrates.
In July 2007, researchers published their findings in The Cochrane Library indicating that diets with lower glycemic indices may be better for losing weight than high carb/low-fat diets.
Glycemic Index (GI) is an indicator of how fast carbohydrates from a particular food enter into the bloodstream after eating them. It’s used to determine whether certain types of carbohydrate-rich foods affect blood glucose levels.
Among those likely to be lower on the glycemic index are products that are low in carbohydrates, foods that are less processed, high-fiber foods, foods that are not cooked very long, food containing protein and fat, and acidic products.
Possible Side Effects and Contraindications
Some people who use supplements with milk thistle suffer from side effects like indigestion, bloating, gas, or diarrhea. Milk thistle supplements may also cause allergic reactions in people in the same family who are allergic to ragweed or other plants.
People with diabetes, those with hormone-sensitive conditions, and people taking statins, estrogen, anti-anxiety medicines, cancer medicines, blood thinners, antipsychotics, seizure medicines, or allergy medicines should consult their doctor before using milk thistle.
Sensible Ways to Improve Weight Loss
A balanced, calorie-reducing Diet involves a mix of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean protein foods, and increasing physical activity each day is the best way to lose weight.
Foods high in water, fiber, and protein are more filling than highly processed foods. Concentration on consuming these high fibers and high protein foods can help you stick to your daily calories more easily.
Certain people would also combine their diet program with these recommended weight loss pills or other diet supplements that anyone can easily find on the market. For the safe side, make sure that you choose those with natural ingredients.
More importantly, cardiovascular exercises such as running, swimming, cycling, rowing, cross country skiing, etc., burn fat by increasing the metabolic rate. Resistance training builds muscles and increases metabolism. Combining these two types of workouts helps people achieve their fitness goals faster than either one alone would.