What is milk thistle? Uses, benefits & side effects
Milk thistle is famous in bodybuilding circles for many reasons. Perhaps, you might’ve heard of it for its effects on the liver. But it’s worth noting that the liver is responsible for many functions inside the body. This blog covers and details the exact part that milk thistle helps with and why it’s vital for a healthy liver. However, before knowing what is milk thistle, it is essential to understand its background and where it comes from.
Milk thistle, also known as holy thistle, is a herb related to the daisy family. For centuries people have been using it for liver and gallbladder problems. It contains silymarin. Silymarin is an antioxidant compound. Its extract is called milk thistle extract. Many doctors recommend its extract for a range of liver problems, including hepatitis and cirrhosis.
What is milk thistle used for in bodybuilding?
In bodybuilding, milk thistle is used explicitly for detoxifying the liver of harmful toxins that can damage the liver. Silymarin prevents toxins from attaching to liver cells. It also reduces inflammation and repairs weak cells that could otherwise die. This is also true for the consumption of alcohol, which is why sometimes doctors recommend it for reversing liver damage. Its antioxidant benefits also stretch to transforming enzymes into free radicals. This transformation helps the liver remove dangerous compounds of itself naturally.
On top of it, it also helps against problems such as fatty liver disease. As you would know, cycling SARMS and prohormones can sometimes raise cholesterol, which can, in turn, affect the liver. Silymarin acts as a protective shield and saves the liver from fattening.
In addition, it also helps regulate hormones, especially in controlling the female-sex hormone estrogen. As a result, taking it diminishes estrogen, reducing estrogen-related side effects. Some sources also say that it improves fertility and sperm quality, but it’s up in the air since there is no conclusive evidence.
What is milk thistle: does it have any side effects?
No, it does not have any long-term side effects. In fact, the whole premise behind using it is to protect your liver from the side effects of liver-straining activities. As with most products, it differs from person to person. If you are allergic to other herbs from the same group, you might have a low tolerance to milk thistle. However, if you’re not allergic, you don’t need to worry about using it when consumed in recommended doses.
What is milk thistle: does it boost testosterone?
The short answer to this question is no. It does not boost testosterone. However, it does regulate hormones in the body by strengthening the liver. In addition, supporting your cycle with milk thistle also helps remove excess hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. However, because prohormones and SARMS raise testosterone levels by a lot, it’s impact on testosterone is very little or negligible. And therefore, you can use it without having any effect on your gains.
What is milk thistle: recommended dose
Milk thistle comes in many forms, including capsules and powder. Matrix Milk, SD Matrix’s version of milk thistle, comes in capsules. You can consume 2 capsules each day, preferably with meals. It’s worth noting that Matrix Milk is a premium product. Most milk thistles only have a silymarin content of 65%, whereas Matrix Milk has an 80% content making it more effective.
What is milk thistle: using it while cycling prohormones and SARMS
While cycling most prohormones, you don’t need to always support your cycle with milk thistle. However, some prohormones like SD Matrix and Matrix Black require it. For this reason, SD Matrix gives a bottle of Matrix Milk for free with both these prohormones for you to protect your liver and get the most out of your cycles. On the other hand, you don’t need it with prohormones like Epistane. In that case, you’ll be good with liver support products like Advanced Liver Support. However, as mentioned earlier, you can take it if you wish to as an extra protective measure. It’s good for your health.
On the other hand, hardly any of the mainstream SARMS ever require milk thistle. You can support your cycle with it to strengthen your liver, but it’s not a requirement. Generally, it all depends on the product you’re cycling. For example, cycling Ostarine does not even require post cycle therapy, let alone milk thistle. However, if you still want to support your cycle with a liver supplement, you can check out Advanced Liver Support (ALS).
Conclusion: what is milk thistle
So, we can conclude on what is Milk Thistle. Taking milk thistle benefits your overall health and liver. For some supplements, it is a requirement, for others, it’s a choice. SD Matrix does not provide Matrix Milk individually since it’s not allowed to provide separately in the UK. However, if you want to cycle something genuinely remarkable and want to support your cycle with Matrix Milk, SD Matrix recommends you check out Matrix Black and SD Matrix.
