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Silymarin

4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(89 ratings)
Milk Thistle 250 mg
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Score72
Clean single-ingredient design is the main strength, while incomplete standardization keeps potency uncertain.
How scoring works
Capsule
Quantity:120 Capsule(s) • (120 servings)
Goals:
Detoxification

Score 72

Clean single-ingredient design is the main strength, while incomplete standardization keeps potency uncertain.
How scoring works
$45.00($0.37 per serving)
Vitacost
$ 45.00
Pure Formulas
$ 45.00
iHerb
$ 45.00
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Analysis

A single milk thistle extract keeps the formula focused on antioxidant and liver-cell support. Silymarin is identified, which is more informative than an unspecified whole-herb capsule.

The 250 mg extract weight is clearly listed, but the active silymarin percentage is absent. Source plant part and absorption technology are also not disclosed, limiting comparisons with better-characterized extracts.

The one-capsule format and long supply support routine use. It suits people who value a clean formula, provided they do not require a verified active dose.

Who is it for
  • Adults seeking a minimalist formula
  • Regular capsule users
Best for
  • Simple daily supplementation
  • Avoiding multi-herb blends

Pros

  • Single active ingredient
  • Silymarin is named
  • Convenient long supply

Cons

  • Silymarin percentage is absent
  • Plant part is not stated
  • No disclosed absorption support

Warnings

  • Milk thistle can cause digestive upset in some users; stop or reduce use if symptoms persist.
  • People allergic to ragweed-family plants may also react to milk thistle.
  • Milk thistle may affect blood sugar, so people using glucose-lowering medicine should discuss it with their clinician.

Nutrient quality

80 Highest impact

The silymarin designation supports basic extract relevance. The extract amount is relevant, but active yield cannot be calculated without standardization.

Ingredient transparency

75 High impact

The active ingredient has a stated amount without a hidden proprietary blend. Standardization or source details, daily-use directions, and non-active ingredients remain incomplete.

Customer satisfaction

60 Moderate impact

The supplied average rating is very strong and is supported by small review count. No detailed feedback is available to assess repeated complaints or purpose-specific experiences.

Value for money

69 High impact

A clean single-ingredient design provides some value. The premium qualitative serving cost is not fully supported without a verified active dose.

Report analysis

Goals

Detoxification
Detoxification
Impact
Moderate effect
B+ Goal FitF Strength of SupportF CoverageA+ Formula Quality
Milk Thistle · 250 mg

Milk thistle is directly relevant to liver-cell protection and antioxidant support. A focused single-ingredient design keeps the purpose clear.

The label does not state a silymarin percentage, so the active dose cannot be established from the extract weight. Missing source and absorption details further limit confidence in meaningful depth.

Study evidence
Milk Thistle Supportive 46 studies

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) extract (Silymarin)
 250 mg
Gluten Free Adults 18–50
Report overview
Milk Thistle (Silymarin) · 250 mg OverallScore21
F Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityF Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyC Value

The formula is focused on a single milk thistle extract and has a competitive serving cost. Silymarin is identified, but neither its percentage nor resulting active amount is stated. The standard dry capsule also lacks a disclosed absorption-enhancing system.

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