Other Names : Flavobion or Legalon<br>
Silymarin is a flavonoid and part of the phytonutrient family, which is a group of compounds found in plants that display antioxidant properties. Silymarin actually consists of three four strong antioxidant chemicals called silybin(silibinin), silidianin and silicristinand isosilibinin. It is a natural liver detoxifier and protects the liver from many industrial toxins such as carbon tetrachloride, and more common agents like alcohol.[[Milk Thistle]] (Silybum Marianum) is the major source of silymarin.<br> The main constituents composing silymarin are silibinin, silicristin, isosilibinin, and silidianin.
See also :
* [[Milk Thistle]]
* Anecdotal claims suggest that it may help people with some liver diseases, although it is unlikely to be helpful with advanced liver cirrhosis or cancer.
* Cancer : Silymarin has also been identified as a potential cancer preventative, especially skin and colon cancers, but more research is required to better understand the mechanisms.
* Liver-protection : these same flavonolignans protect kidney cells in culture from the renal toxic effects of the drugs paracetamol, cisplatin, and vincristine (Sonnenbichler, Scalera, Sonnenbichler, & Weyhenmeyer, 1999). Another study in rats demonstrated that silibinin protected renal tubular cells from the oxidative damage from cisplatin (Gaedeke, Fels Bokemeyer, Mengs, Stolte, & Lentzen, 1996). Silibinin also protects against experimental cyclosporine nephrotoxicity
* See also : benefits of [[Milk Thistle]]
==Food Sources==