Milk thistle supplements contain herbal extracts from a plant of the same name. Used as an herbal remedy by various ancient societies, milk thistle’s active ingredient silymarin may have antioxidant, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties (1). It’s commonly used by folks suffering from liver problems, though typically in conjunction with other conventional medical treatments (2) (3).
While there are a host of claims about milk thistle’s role in treating several ailments — including brain fog, cancer, and even acne — these are mainly theories without a great deal of research to back it up. You should talk to your doctor before beginning any new supplement regimen, especially if you suffer from illness or a chronic condition. There are many milk thistle supplements on the market; it’s important to look for a few distinguishing features to differentiate between them.
Best Milk Thistle
- Best Milk Thistle Supplement: Future Kind Milk Thistle Seed Liver Cleanse
- Best Milk Thistle Complex: PurePremium Milk Thistle Tablets
- Best Milk Thistle for Vegans: Future Kind Milk Thistle Seed Liver Cleanse
- Best Liquid Milk Thistle: Nature’s Answer Milk Thistle
- Best Value Milk Thistle: Milk Thistle 1000mg Silymarin Marianum
Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended to diagnose, prevent, and/or treat health problems. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine. Individual needs for vitamins and minerals will vary.
Best Milk Thistle Supplement
This pick doesn’t beat around the bush — it provides a straight dose of milk thistle without any additional supplements.
Future Kind Vegan Milk Thistle Seed Liver Cleanse
Future Kind Vegan Milk Thistle Seed Liver Cleanse provides 450mg of milk thistle seed extract and milk thistle seed powder — 175mg of the milk thistle seed extract and 275mg of the milk thistle seed powder to be exact. While this is about average for a milk thistle supplement, this product doesn’t throw in any other supplements, which is great for those who are solely focused on these liver cleansing ingredients. Plus, it’s free of dairy, and only requires one tablet per serving.
Future Kind Vegan Milk Thistle Seed Liver Cleanse provides 450mg of milk thistle seed extract and milk thistle seed powder — 175mg of the milk thistle seed extract and 275mg of the milk thistle seed powder to be exact. It's also free of dairy, and only requires one tablet per serving.
Who Should Buy Future Kind Vegan Milk Thistle Seed Liver Cleanse
- Those just beginning on supplements who may be looking for an average dose of milk thistle — if you’re just starting out on milk thistle and don’t want to jump to the 2,000mg doses, this may be a good option for you as it only contains 400mg total.
- Folks happy to have a supplement consisting of milk thistle, the ingredients to make the tablet, and nothing else.
- Vegans who want a product that is made of 100 percent plant-based ingredients.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Future Kind Vegan Milk Thistle Seed Liver Cleanse
- Anyone looking for more potent milk thistle extract — some supplements have up to 2,000mg of milk thistle per serving.
- Those who would prefer a liquid milk thistle — this is a tablet supplement.
This vegan product provides a solid dose of milk thistle, and only requires you to take one tablet per day for the full dose.
Best Milk Thistle Complex
The milk thistle complex by PurePremium combines 175 milligrams of milk thistle seed extract with 275 milligrams of milk thistle seed powder. It is non-GMO, formulated in the USA, and is supplied in 120 tablet bottles. That is a reasonable price point at 12 cents per tablet.
PurePremium Milk Thistle Tablets
Each batch of PurePremium’s milk thistle is produced in FDA-inspected facilities. They have a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification. Additionally, they are vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free.
PurePremium offers a competitively-priced product with a strong dose of milk thistle. These vegan, gluten-free capsules come with a 100% money back guarantee.
Who Should Buy PurePremium Milk Thistle Tablets
- Those who follow a vegan diet.
- People who value their supplements formulated in the USA.
Who Shouldn’t Buy PurePremium Milk Thistle Tablets
- Anyone who prefers a milk thistle supplement comprised of just milk thistle extract.
- Folks who want a liquid milk thistle.
The combination of extract and seed powder manufactured in a GMP-certified facility means the low cost reaps a high reward.
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Best Milk Thistle for Vegans
If you’re looking for a milk thistle supplement that’s free of animal-based products, this pick provides a solid one-tablet dose.
Future Kind Vegan Milk Thistle Seed Liver Cleanse
While this isn’t the most potent milk thistle supplement on our list, it does provide an average sized dose. Each one-tablet dose contains 175mg of milk thistle seed extract and 275mg of milk thistle seed powder — that’s 400mg total of milk thistle, and nothing else. However, Future Kind does include other ingredients like cellulose and a film coating to create the tablet, but they do list everything on their label for you to see for yourself. Don’t worry, all of these ingredients are vegan. In addition, you can buy this supplement in packs of two or three if you want to get each bottle at a lower price point.
Future Kind Vegan Milk Thistle Seed Liver Cleanse provides 450mg of milk thistle seed extract and milk thistle seed powder — 175mg of the milk thistle seed extract and 275mg of the milk thistle seed powder to be exact. It's also free of dairy, and only requires one tablet per serving.
Who Should Buy Future Kind Vegan Milk Thistle Seed Liver Cleanse
- People who follow vegan diets will appreciate that there are no animal products in this milk thistle supplement.
- Folks who are looking for a solid dose of milk thistle without any added supplements — this product only contains milk thistle and the ingredients used to make the tablet.
- Anyone who likes to buy their supplements in bulk will appreciate that you can buy this product in packs of two or three bottles to lower the cost per bottle.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Future Kind Vegan Milk Thistle Seed Liver Cleanse
- Anyone looking for additional supplements on top of their milk thistle will want to opt for a product with a more robust ingredients list.
- Customers who want a really high dose of milk thistle will be able to find products on the market that contain up to 2,000mg of milk thistle per serving.
If you’re following a plant-based diet, this one-tablet 400mg dose of milk thistle is one of the best options for you. Plus, you can opt to buy it in bulk to lower the price you’re paying per bottle.
Best Liquid Milk Thistle
This alcohol-free liquid milk thistle supplement by Nature’s Answer provides 2,000 milligrams per two milliliter serving. Each single-ounce container yields 15 servings. It is gluten-free and contains a single carbohydrate.
Nature’s Answer Milk Thistle
Nature’s Answer uses bio-chelation, which includes the use of cold extraction. That means that the raw plant parts are extracted without being exposed to heat, which helps maintain natural active constituents of the original plant.
For those looking for an alternative to capsules or tablets, Nature’s Answer offers a very straightforward milk thistle extract. Each vial contains 15 servings with 195 milligrams of milk thistle extract.
Who Should Buy Nature’s Answer Milk Thistle
- Anyone who prefers supplements in liquid form.
- Folks who need their supplements gluten-free.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Nature’s Answer Milk Thistle
- People who would find counting 61-drop single servings tedious.
- Those who want less expensive tablet or capsule options available.
If you are the type of person who only wants supplements in liquid form, then this is go-to milk thistle option for you. Others who are not as dedicated may appreciate the ease of popping a quick tablet and the dollars saved.
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Best Value Milk Thistle
This dandelion root fortified supplement from Bronson provides 1,000 milligrams of milk thistle seed per single-capsule serving. Although it doesn’t contain any milk thistle extract like several comparable options on the market, the cost of just eight cents per capsule is tough to overlook.
Milk Thistle 1000mg Silymarin Marianum
These milk thistle bottles are available in either 120 or 150 counts. They are produced to GMP certified standards and are lab tested for quality assurance. It is worth noting that these capsules are not vegan due to being made with gelatin.
This milk thistle contains 1,000 milligrams of milk thistle seed per single-capsule serving fortified with 50 milligrams of dandelion root. They are lab tested in cGMP facilities and are available in 120 or 250-count bottles.
Who Should Buy Milk Thistle 1000mg Silymarin Marianum
- Folks looking to get the best bang for their buck when purchasing a milk thistle supplement.
- People who value products made to with a GMP certification.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Milk Thistle 1000mg Silymarin Marianum
- Those who follow a vegan diet (there is gelatin in the capsules).
- People who specifically want milk thistle extract rather than just seed.
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How We Decided Our Picks
Milk thistle is an herbal supplement often used by folks looking to improve their liver health. More scientific research is needed to determine this unique extract’s effectiveness, though its active ingredient, silymarin, may contain some antioxidative properties. If you determine that milk thistle is right for you after consulting with a medical professional, it’s important to know how to distinguish between some of the key features when making a selection.
Dosage
As with many herbal supplements, there’s not really a uniformly agreed-upon daily recommended dosage. Take a look at the label and see what each brand is offering.
Ingredients
The active ingredient in milk thistle extract is silymarin. To get any potential benefits from a milk thistle supplement, you’ll want to make sure silymarin is mentioned. Some milk thistle makers include various natural ingredients, which they claim help with additional liver support. Take a look at the label to ensure nothing included that you may be allergic to.
Form
Milk thistle is commonly available in tablet, capsule, or liquid form. For some folks, nothing will beat the convenience of swallowing a few pills. Others may prefer mixing their supplement into a liquid and drinking it. Think about how you’ll fit this supplement into your daily routine before making a choice.
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What To Consider Before Buying
Consult a medical professional before adding milk thistle supplements to your daily regimen. Pregnant women are advised to avoid milk thistle, as no studies have confirmed its safety. Regardless of which brand you select, make sure silymarin is among the ingredients. Some studies show that milk thistle may be an effective way to treat fatty liver disease and hepatitis. Still, more research is needed to make any definitive claims about its efficacy.
References
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Abenavoli L, Capasso R, Milic N, Capasso F. Milk thistle in liver diseases: past, present, future. Phytotherapy research : PTR. 2010;24(10):1423-1432.
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Kim M-S, Ong M, Qu X. Optimal management for alcoholic liver disease: Conventional medications, natural therapy or combination? World journal of gastroenterology. 2016;22(1):8-23.
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Losser MR, Payen D. Mechanisms of liver damage. Seminars in liver disease. 1996;16(4):357-367.