What it is: Milk Thistle is a vegetarian, single-ingredient hepatoprotective herbal formula developed by DaVinci Labs, delivering 300 mg of Silybum marianum seed extract per capsule standardized to yield 240 mg (80%) silymarin — the highest-potency standardization level commonly available in clinical-grade milk thistle supplementation. Silymarin is the collective term for the flavonolignan complex found in milk thistle seed, composed predominantly of silybin (approximately 70%) alongside silydianin, silychristin, and isosilybin — with silybin recognized as the most biologically active and hepatoprotective individual component within the complex. With over 2,000 years of historical use in supporting liver and biliary function, and one of the most robust botanical clinical research portfolios of any hepatoprotective herb, Milk Thistle from DaVinci Labs is designed for practitioner-directed use in liver health, detoxification, and hepatocellular support protocols.
How it works: Milk Thistle supports liver health through several well-characterized hepatoprotective and detoxification-supportive mechanisms centered on silymarin's antioxidant, membrane-stabilizing, and enzyme-modulating activity. Silymarin exerts potent free radical scavenging activity within hepatic tissue, directly neutralizing reactive oxygen species generated during Phase I cytochrome P450 metabolic processing of toxins, medications, and endogenous metabolic byproducts — protecting hepatocellular membranes from lipid peroxidation and oxidative structural damage. As a hepatocellular membrane stabilizer, silymarin modifies the lipid composition of outer hepatocyte membranes, reducing their permeability to toxins and preventing the uptake of hepatotoxic compounds including alcohol metabolites, environmental chemicals, and certain medications. Silymarin supports Phase II hepatic detoxification pathways — the conjugation reactions responsible for converting fat-soluble toxins into water-soluble compounds for biliary or urinary excretion — by promoting glutathione synthesis and activity in hepatic tissue, replenishing one of the liver's most critical endogenous detoxification resources. Additionally, silymarin supports protein synthesis in the liver through stimulation of ribosomal RNA polymerase activity, supporting hepatocellular regeneration and the conversion of LDL to HDL — contributing to healthy cholesterol balance within normal ranges. Milk Thistle additionally supports bile production and fat emulsification, hormone secretion, and normalization of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and leukotriene secretion, providing broad-spectrum hepatic functional support alongside its primary hepatoprotective activity.
When to use it: Milk Thistle is appropriate for practitioner-directed use in adult clients requiring hepatoprotective, detoxification, and liver function support across a wide range of clinical protocols. It is particularly well-suited for integration into detoxification programs, post-pharmaceutical or post-antibiotic liver recovery protocols, protocols addressing elevated liver enzymes or suboptimal hepatic function, clients with regular alcohol exposure, environmental toxic burden, or metabolic liver concerns, and as a daily foundational liver support supplement for clients with elevated hepatic oxidative stress risk. One capsule daily with food supports consistent silymarin delivery alongside dietary fat for optimal absorption of this lipophilic flavonolignan complex.
Serving Size: 1 Capsule
Servings Per Container: 90
Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take 1 capsule daily with food, or as directed by your healthcare practitioner.
| Amount Per Serving | % Daily Value | |
| Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) Extract (seed) (yielding Silymarin 240 mg) | 300 mg | * |
* Daily Value not established.
Other Ingredients: Microcrystalline cellulose, vegetable cellulose, vegetarian leucine.
Caution: If pregnant or nursing, consult your healthcare practitioner before taking this product. Keep out of reach of children. Store in a cool, dry place. Color may vary due to natural ingredient variation.
✓ Vegetarian ✓ Gluten Free
Key Ingredients
Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) Extract (Seed) — 300 mg (yielding 240 mg Silymarin) Silybum marianum seed extract is standardized to 80% silymarin — the collective flavonolignan complex comprising silybin (approximately 70%), silydianin, silychristin, and isosilybin, with silybin recognized as the most bioactive and hepatoprotective individual constituent responsible for the majority of the extract's clinical activity. Silymarin exerts hepatoprotection through three primary and complementary mechanisms: direct free radical scavenging within hepatocellular tissue to prevent lipid peroxidation and oxidative membrane damage; structural stabilization of outer hepatocyte cell membranes to reduce permeability and the uptake of hepatotoxic compounds; and stimulation of hepatic glutathione synthesis and ribosomal RNA polymerase activity — replenishing Phase II detoxification capacity and promoting hepatocellular regeneration and protein synthesis. At 240 mg silymarin per capsule, this formula delivers a clinically validated standardized dose consistent with the human trial literature supporting milk thistle's role in hepatocellular protection, liver enzyme normalization, bile production support, and healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels within normal ranges.
