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Milk Thistle 500 mg Extended Release

4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(253 ratings)
Milk Thistle 500 mg
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Score71
High stated silymarin weight is offset by incomplete quality detail and a costly extended-release format with unclear delivery benefit.
How scoring works
Tablet
Quantity:30 Tablet(s) • (30 servings)
Goals:
Detoxification

Score 71

High stated silymarin weight is offset by incomplete quality detail and a costly extended-release format with unclear delivery benefit.
How scoring works
$29.71($0.99 per serving)
iHerb
$ 29.71
Vitacost
$ 30.03
Amazon
$ 29.71
Pure Formulas
$ 29.71
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Analysis

The high listed amount creates a direct, concentrated milk thistle strategy for normal liver-cell antioxidant support. A single active also keeps the purpose easy to understand.

Extended release may spread tablet breakdown over time, but the label does not establish better silymarin absorption. The standardization percentage and source plant part are also missing.

The serving is considerably costlier than many alternatives. It best fits someone who specifically values a high label amount and extended-release tablet, not a shopper seeking the strongest evidence per cost.

Who is it for
  • Adults seeking a high label amount
  • People who prefer extended-release tablets
  • Users comfortable paying for a specialized format
Best for
  • High-dose milk thistle routines
  • Focused single-active use
  • Tablet users

Pros

  • Substantial stated silymarin amount
  • Focused formula
  • Once-daily serving

Cons

  • High serving cost
  • Standardization percentage is missing
  • Extended release does not confirm better absorption

Warnings

  • Milk thistle may cause nausea, gas, or loose stools in sensitive users.
  • People allergic to ragweed, daisies, or related plants may also react to milk thistle.
  • Milk thistle may affect blood-sugar control; people using insulin or glucose-lowering medicine should check with their prescriber.

Nutrient quality

80 High impact

The focused formula provides a high, meaningful stated silymarin amount. The aggressive dose and lack of verified absorption or standardization details temper its quality.

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Ingredient transparency

79 High impact

The active amount is clearly stated and no blend obscures it. Plant source, standardization, usage, and excipient details remain incomplete.

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Customer satisfaction

66 High impact

The average rating is positive, and the available feedback volume provides useful confidence. No specific experience details are supplied to assess recurring complaints or purpose fit.

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Value for money

53 Moderate impact

The large disclosed dose adds some formula value without padding. High serving cost and incomplete quality details make category value weak.

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Goals

Detoxification
Detoxification
Impact
Highest effect
A- Goal FitB+ Strength of SupportC CoverageA+ Formula Quality
Milk Thistle · 500 mg

A high stated silymarin amount directly supports liver-cell protection and antioxidant defenses. Human evidence for milk thistle is relevant, though results depend on a sufficiently characterized silymarin dose.

The stated silymarin amount is high, supporting good dose depth. The label does not give a standardization percentage or plant part, and extended release does not establish better absorption.

Study evidence
Milk Thistle Supportive 46 studies

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
Milk Thistle (Silymarin)
 500 mg
Gluten Free Adults 18–50 Vegetarian
Report overview
Milk Thistle (Silymarin) · 500 mg OverallScore36
F Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityC Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyF Value

The label identifies a high silymarin amount, but it does not state the standardization percentage or plant part. The dry extended-release tablet does not qualify as a listed absorption-enhancing technology. Its high serving cost lacks enough quality detail to justify the premium.

View ingredientView products
Loading alternative details
84 Performance

Milk Thistle

Nature's Answer
A silymarin-labeled milk-thistle extract provides more assessable active disclosure than a plain plant-mass claim. Its stronger combination of formulation quality and detoxification alignment makes it a more compelling focused option, although the formula remains focused rather than broad.
85 Performance

Milk Thistle

Paradise
A silymarin-labeled milk-thistle extract provides more assessable active disclosure than a plain plant-mass claim. Its stronger combination of formulation quality and detoxification alignment makes it a more compelling focused option, although the formula remains focused rather than broad.
79 Performance

Milk Thistle (Silymarin)

Mason Natural
A silymarin-labeled milk-thistle extract provides more assessable active disclosure than a plain plant-mass claim. Its stronger combination of formulation quality and detoxification alignment makes it a more compelling focused option, although the formula remains focused rather than broad.
84 Budget

Milk Thistle

Kroeger Herb Products Co.
A silymarin-labeled milk-thistle extract provides more assessable active disclosure than a plain plant-mass claim. A lower serving cost improves routine value, although the formula remains focused rather than broad.
82 Budget

Super Milk Thistle

Nature's Way
Clearly disclosed silybin and silymarin give the milk-thistle component unusually strong active characterization. A lower serving cost improves routine value, although the added licorice may be unsuitable for some users.
87 Budget

Milk Thistle Extract 175 mg

Lake Avenue Nutrition
A clearly labeled total-silymarin extract provides focused and readily assessable milk-thistle activity. A lower serving cost improves routine value, although the formula remains focused rather than broad.
79 Value

Milk Thistle

Solgar
A silymarin-labeled milk-thistle extract provides more assessable active disclosure than a plain plant-mass claim. Favorable serving economics and a well-defined milk-thistle core create a useful quality-to-cost balance, although the formula remains focused rather than broad.
82 Value

Milk Thistle Phytosome 300 mg

Swanson
A named milk-thistle phytosome provides a better-characterized absorption strategy than a basic, unstandardized herb amount. Favorable serving economics and a well-defined milk-thistle core create a useful quality-to-cost balance, although the formula remains focused rather than broad.
80 Value

Milk Thistle

Kirkman
A silymarin-labeled milk-thistle extract provides more assessable active disclosure than a plain plant-mass claim. Favorable serving economics and a well-defined milk-thistle core create a useful quality-to-cost balance, although the formula remains focused rather than broad.
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Sources

Published studies used for the product analysis and the top-ranked studies for each ingredient and goal.

  1. Are alterations needed in Silybum marianum (Silymarin) administration practices? A novel outlook and meta-analysis on randomized trials targeting liver injury.
    Shahsavari K; Ardekani SS; Ardekani MRS; Esfahani MM; Kazemizadeh H; Jamialahmadi T; Iranshahi M; Khanavi M; Hasanpour M · BMC complementary medicine and therapies · 2025
    Meta-analysis3,545 participants55 studies pooledDetoxification forMilk Thistle
  2. Impact of Silymarin Supplements on Liver Enzyme Levels: A Systematic Review.
    Calderon Martinez E; Herrera D; Mogan S; Hameed Z; Jangda AA; Khan TJ; Mroke P; Sajid S; Shah YR; Baig I · Cureus · 2023
    Systematic review3,846 participants29 studies pooledDetoxification forMilk Thistle
  3. The effect of silymarin on liver enzymes in patients taking isotretinoin: A randomized clinical trial.
    Mirnezami M; Jafarimanesh H; Rezagholizamenjany M; Alimoradian A; Ranjbaran M · Dermatologic therapy · 2021
    Randomized trial74 participantsDetoxification forMilk Thistle
  4. A double-blinded randomized controlled trial of silymarin for the prevention of antituberculosis drug-induced liver injury.
    Luangchosiri C; Thakkinstian A; Chitphuk S; Stitchantrakul W; Petraksa S; Sobhonslidsuk A · BMC complementary and alternative medicine · 2016
    Randomized trial55 participantsDetoxification forMilk Thistle
  5. Effect of 8 Weeks milk thistle powder (silymarin extract) supplementation on fatty liver disease in patients candidates for bariatric surgery.
    Mirhashemi SH; Hakakzadeh A; Yeganeh FE; Oshidari B; Rezaee SP · Metabolism open · 2022
    Observational studyDetoxification forMilk Thistle
  6. A randomized controlled trial to assess the safety and efficacy of silymarin on symptoms, signs and biomarkers of acute hepatitis.
    El-Kamary SS; Shardell MD; Abdel-Hamid M; Ismail S; El-Ateek M; Metwally M; Mikhail N; Hashem M; Mousa A; Aboul-Fotouh A; El-Kassas M; Esmat G; Strickland GT · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology · 2009
    Randomized trial105 participantsDetoxification forMilk Thistle
  7. Evaluation of Hepatoprotective Effect of Silymarin Among Under Treatment Tuberculosis Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
    Marjani M; Baghaei P; Kazempour Dizaji M; Gorji Bayani P; Fahimi F; Tabarsi P; Velayati AA · Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR · 2016
    Randomized trial70 participantsDetoxification forMilk Thistle
  8. The hepatorenal protective effects of silymarin in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
    Erfanian SS; Ansari H; Javanmard SH; Amini Z; Hajigholami A · BMC complementary medicine and therapies · 2024
    Randomized trial100 participantsDetoxification forMilk Thistle
  9. A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of therapeutic effects of silymarin in β-thalassemia major patients receiving desferrioxamine.
    Moayedi B; Gharagozloo M; Esmaeil N; Maracy MR; Hoorfar H; Jalaeikar M · European journal of haematology · 2013
    Randomized trial97 participantsDetoxification forMilk Thistle
  10. Effect of aerobic training with silymarin consumption on glycemic indices and liver enzymes in men with type 2 diabetes.
    Ghalandari K; Shabani M; Khajehlandi A; Mohammadi A · Archives of physiology and biochemistry · 2023
    Randomized trial60 participantsDetoxification forMilk Thistle
  11. Impact of silymarin-supplemented cookies on liver enzyme and inflammatory markers in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients.
    Jaffar HM; Bader Ul Ain H; Tufail T; Hanif A; Malik T · Food science & nutrition · 2024
    Clinical trial64 participantsDetoxification forMilk Thistle