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Milk Thistle 500 mg

4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(2211 ratings)
Milk Thistle 500 mg
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Score69
Simple and affordable, but the unspecified milk thistle preparation does not provide a confirmed silymarin dose.
How scoring works
Capsule
Quantity:60 Capsule(s) • (60 servings)
Goals:
Detoxification

Score 69

Simple and affordable, but the unspecified milk thistle preparation does not provide a confirmed silymarin dose.
How scoring works
$6.56($0.10 per serving)
Vitacost
$ 6.60
iHerb
$ 6.60
Amazon
$ 6.60
Pure Formulas
$ 6.56
iHerb
$ 6.60
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Analysis

A single milk thistle ingredient keeps the formula focused on normal liver-cell protection. The lack of unrelated actives also makes it easier to identify tolerance issues.

The label does not identify an extract, plant part, or active silymarin yield. A large whole-herb weight is not directly comparable with a standardized extract, so the apparent dose may overstate practical potency.

Low-cost once-daily use is the main advantage. It fits shoppers who favor simplicity, while anyone seeking a verified active dose should choose a standardized option.

Who is it for
  • Adults wanting a basic single-herb capsule
  • Cost-conscious shoppers
  • People who prefer minimal formulas
Best for
  • Entry-level milk thistle use
  • Simple once-daily routines
  • Avoiding multi-herb blends

Pros

  • One active ingredient
  • Clear total herb amount
  • Very low serving cost

Cons

  • No silymarin standardization
  • Plant part is not stated
  • No absorption support is described

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

60 Moderate impact

The focused single-herb design avoids filler and obvious excess. Unspecified preparation and unknown silymarin yield make dose quality uncertain.

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Ingredient transparency

72 High impact

The single active has a clear total amount and is not hidden in a blend. Missing plant-part, preparation, usage, and excipient details limit a complete assessment.

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Customer satisfaction

71 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

73 High impact

A very low serving cost and no obvious extras support practical affordability. Unknown active potency makes comparison with standardized products unfavorable.

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Report analysis

Goals

Detoxification
Detoxification
Impact
Moderate effect
B- Goal FitF Strength of SupportD- CoverageA Formula Quality
Milk Thistle · 500 mg

Milk thistle powder or an unspecified preparation 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 total milk thistle amount is clear, but the label does not identify an extract, plant part, or silymarin yield. The formula is focused and simple, yet uncertain potency makes its practical contribution difficult to judge.

Study evidence
Milk Thistle Supportive 46 studies

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
Milk Thistle
500 mg
Adults 18–50
Report overview
Milk Thistle · 500 mg OverallScore14
F Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityF Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyD- Value

The label does not identify a standardized extract or a measurable silymarin amount. A standard dry capsule offers no stated absorption technology, and the plant part is not disclosed. The low serving cost cannot fully offset the uncertain potency.

View ingredientView products
Loading alternative details
84 Performance

Milk Thistle

Kroeger Herb Products Co.
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.
82 Performance

Super Milk Thistle

Nature's Way
Clearly disclosed silybin and silymarin give the milk-thistle component unusually strong active characterization. Its stronger combination of formulation quality and detoxification alignment makes it a more compelling focused option, although the added licorice may be unsuitable for some users.
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.
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.
78 Budget

Milk Thistle 30:1 Extract

Jarrow Formulas
A focused milk-thistle extract keeps the formula aligned with liver support, although the active silymarin yield is not stated. A lower serving cost improves routine value, although the active flavonolignan yield remains unclear.
80 Budget

Silymarin Complex

California Gold Nutrition
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 piperine can alter exposure to some medicines.
85 Value

Milk Thistle

Paradise
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.
79 Value

Milk Thistle (Silymarin)

Mason Natural
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.
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.
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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