The active component is the flavonoid silibinin, which acts in several ways. It is believed to protect against free radical damage, to help stabilize the cell membranes against the entry of toxic substances, and to regulate gene expression with the effect of stimulating regeneration. You can find it in health food stores under the names milk thistle , silybum or silymarin. Take two capsules of a standardized extract of milk thistle twice a day. There have been no published instances of toxic effects.
Many people drink more than they think.
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