Milk Thistle Phytosome - Solmarie

Why Choose Solmarie Over Another Milk Thistle Extract?

To experience the proven benefits highlighted by scientific studies, it's essential to use an extract that is both highly concentrated in active compounds and easily absorbed by the body (passing from the intestine into the bloodstream).

Solmarie contains 100% silybin, the liver-protecting substance that is five times more absorbable (bioavailable) than a standard silybin-rich extract.

This makes it the best option for obtaining all the benefits of Milk Thistle without needing to consume large quantities.

The positive effects of Milk Thistle only occur with extracts rich in silymarin, one of the seed's main components.

Silymarin contains 50 to 70% silybin, the most active substance for liver protection.

Therefore, it is crucial that silybin reaches the liver in sufficient quantities.

Solmarie stands out from other standardized high-silybin extracts (70 or 80%) because it contains 100% silybin, which is four to five times more absorbable than standard extracts, thanks to patented phytosome technology.

Pharmacokinetic studies have shown that the absorption of phytosome extract is five times higher than that of free herb extract at equivalent dosages.

Silybin itself is only moderately liposoluble, preventing it from effectively crossing the intestinal barrier. Phytosome technology binds silybin to phosphatidylcholine from soy, a natural substance that easily passes through the intestinal barrier. This bond allows both substances to enter the bloodstream and reach the liver efficiently.

What Effect Does Phosphatidylcholine Have on the Liver?

Phosphatidylcholine is a component of cell membranes. It is not only safe for the liver but can also aid in liver cell regeneration. It works synergistically with silybin to protect the liver.

Why Protect Your Liver?

The liver is the largest organ in the body, processing almost everything you eat, drink, or absorb through your skin.

It performs over 500 functions, including fighting infections, neutralizing toxins, producing proteins and hormones, regulating blood sugar, and aiding in blood clotting.

The problem is that the liver seems incredibly resilient until it fails, and despite scientific advancements, there are limited treatment options.

An unhealthy liver leads to fatigue and a reduced ability to defend against external threats. Therefore, it is crucial to care for it and prevent the body from becoming overloaded with toxins.

Why Use Milk Thistle for Liver Support Over Other Herbs?

Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) is the most extensively studied medicinal herb for liver support. It helps maintain liver function and protects against toxins.

It is widely used to support recovery from serious illnesses or as a preventive measure.

By taking 1 to 2 capsules of Milk Thistle phytosome daily, you can easily follow the dosages recommended in scientific studies.

Box of 60 capsules (1-month supply)

Ingredients per daily serving of 2 vegetable capsules:

Milk Thistle (Sylibum Marianum) seed extract: 240 mg

Contains 80 mg of silybin bound to 160 mg of phosphatidylcholine through the patented phytosome process.

1 to 2 capsules daily, preferably before meals, as part of a minimum 3-month course or as a long-term treatment for enhanced effectiveness, unless otherwise directed by your healthcare professional.

When to Use Solmarie?

• To support healthy liver function

• To protect healthy liver cells and tissues

• When the liver has been overworked (due to diet, alcohol, or medication)

• As support for functional and pathological liver disorders

• During a detox regimen

• To naturally increase Glutathione levels

Additional Recommendations

- If you wish to support your digestion more comprehensively, you can pair Solmarie with probiotics.

- To further support the liver and also the gallbladder, you can combine Solmarie with Solumine Turmipure Gold BIO Curcumin.

- For a more comprehensive detox/purification regimen, you can combine Solmarie with Liposomal Glutathione.

Scientific Information

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is the most extensively studied herbal remedy for liver support.

It is used in cases of liver damage caused by alcohol abuse (such as fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis), acute and chronic viral hepatitis, or liver diseases induced by toxins, like prolonged use of tacrine (an Alzheimer's treatment), rifampicin and isoniazid (antibiotics), or acetaminophen (pain reliever). (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)

Research has also demonstrated effects on kidney cells following exposure to common medications or chemotherapy drugs (acetaminophen, cisplatin, and vincristine) (9, 10).

Silymarin is known to aid cancer patients (liver, prostate, colon, and renal cell carcinoma) due to its anti-inflammatory, apoptosis-inducing, cell cycle-modulating, anti-angiogenic, anti-metastatic, and anti-inflammatory effects (11).

The beneficial impact of milk thistle is only observed when using silymarin-rich extracts. Silymarin, extracted from the seeds of milk thistle, is a mix of chemically related substances, including silybin, isosilybin, silychristin, and silydianin.

Among silymarin components, silybin stands out as the most active antioxidant and liver-protective agent. It is also the primary component, comprising 50 to 70% of silymarin (synonyms include silybin and silibinin).

Dried seed powder contains only 1.5 to 3% silymarin. An effective daily dose equates to about 420 mg of conventional silymarin, necessitating a standardized extract (for example, 70 to 80% silymarin).

However, a lower dose alternative exists: phytosomal silybin, where silybin is bound to phosphatidylcholine (a phospholipid) derived from soy. As a phytosome, silybin's intestinal absorption is 4.6 times higher in the bloodstream and 10 times higher in bile compared to regular silybin in conventional silymarin (12, 13).

The improved bioavailability of phytosomal silybin has been demonstrated in healthy volunteers, patients with liver cirrhosis, and those who have undergone gallbladder removal.

Ordinary silybin is harder to absorb due to its large molecular size and lower lipid solubility, which are necessary for passing through the intestinal wall and the cell membrane of enterocytes. The phytosomal technique enhances the absorption of silybin and other plant substances (14).

Phytosomal silybin not only ensures better absorption but also has enhanced liver-protective effects. The silybin-phosphatidylcholine phytosome provides two liver-protective agents: silybin and phosphatidylcholine, which work synergistically. Silybin, acting as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, repairs damaged liver cells, blocks toxin receptors, supports protein synthesis in liver cells, and inhibits scar tissue formation.

Phosphatidylcholine itself is a key component of cell membranes, meaning a damaged phospholipid in a liver cell membrane can be easily replaced by phosphatidylcholine from the phytosome (15).

The efficacy and safety profile of phytosomal silybin have been proven: clinical studies revealed significant liver function improvements, and a daily dose of 1085 mg of phytosomal silybin (well above the usual 80 to 160 mg/day) was well tolerated.

However, even a 120 mg/day dose yields positive results, and researchers suggest an ideal daily dose of 240 to 360 mg (2 to 3 capsules) to avoid side effects (16).

Scientific Studies on the Silybin-Phosphatidylcholine Complex in Solmarie

Liver Protection Against Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Hepatitis C

A multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study over 12 months on 138 patients with documented non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (36 of whom had Hepatitis C) involved 94 mg of silybin and 194 mg of bound phosphatidylcholine daily (2 Solmarie capsules), plus 30 mg of vitamin E. The study showed significant improvements in liver enzyme levels, insulin resistance, and liver histology among treated patients. Additionally, 15% of patients normalized their BMI (compared to 2% in the placebo group), and those with Hepatitis C saw better fibrosis markers. (17)

Liver Protection in Chronic Hepatitis Patients

A placebo-controlled pilot study on 20 patients showed that 240 mg/day of milk thistle phytosome significantly reduced liver toxicity markers (AST, ALT, Gamma-GT, total bilirubin). Researchers concluded that milk thistle phytosome improves liver function, particularly in cell necrosis and membrane permeability. (18)

Liver Protection in Children Undergoing Chemotherapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study on 50 children receiving chemotherapy found that administering 80 mg of bound silybin (2 capsules) daily for 28 days significantly lowered aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels by day 56. These enzymes are markers of liver toxicity. The silybin phytosome treatment did not interfere with chemotherapy effects. Researchers highlighted its liver-protective potential during chemotherapy for leukemia. (19)

Milk thistle phytosome can be used as a supportive treatment for:

• Functional and pathological liver disorders

• Acute and chronic hepatitis

• Liver cirrhosis

• Fatty liver disease

• Liver toxicity

References

1 Wellington K, Jarvis B. Silymarin: a review of its clinical properties in the management of hepatic disorders. BioDrugs. 2001;15:465-489.

2 Ferenci P, Dragosics B, Dittrich H, et al. Randomized controlled trial of silymarin treatment in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. J Hepatol. 1989;9:105-113.

3 Pares A, Planas R, Torres M, et al. Effects of silymarin in alcoholic patients with cirrhosis of the liver: results of a controlled, double-blind, randomized and multicenter trial. J Hepatol. 1998;28:615-621.

4 Ina Bergheim, Craig J. McClain, and Gavin E. Arteel. Treatment of Alcoholic Liver Disease. Dig Dis. 2005; 23(3-4): 275–284.

5 Skottova N, SVagera Z, Vecera R, Urbanek K, Jegorov A, Simanek V. Pharmacokinetic study of iodine-labeled silibinins in rat. Pharmacol Res. 2001;44:247-253.

6 Lieber CS. Alcoholic liver disease: new insights in pathogenesis lead to new treatments. J Hepatol. 2000;32:113-128.

7 Vogel G, Tuchweber B, Trost W, Mengs U. Protection by silibinin against Amanita phalloides intoxication in beagles. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1984;73:355-362.

8 Carmela Loguercio and Davide Festi. Silybin and the liver: From basic research to clinical practice. World J Gastroenterol. 2011 May 14; 17(18): 2288–2301.

9 Sonnenbichler J, Scalera F, Sonnenbichler I, Weyhenmeyer R. Stimulatory effects of silibinin and silicristin from the milk thistle Silybum marianum on kidney cells. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1999;290:1375-1383.

10 Bokemeyer C, Fels LM, Dunn T, et al. Silibinin protects against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity without compromising cisplatin or ifosfamide anti-tumour activity. Br J Cancer. 1996;74:2036-2041.

11 Kumaraguruparan Ramasam, Rajesh Agarwal. Multitargeted therapy of cancer by silymarin. Cancer Lett. 2008 Oct 8; 269(2): 352–362.

12 Barzaghi N, Crema F, Gatti G, Pifferi G, Perucca E. Pharmacokinetic studies on IdB 1016, a silybin- phosphatidylcholine complex, in healthy human subjects. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 1990 Oct-Dec;15(4):333-8.

13 P. Morazzoni, A. Montalbetti, S. Malandrino, G. Pifferi. Comparative pharmacokinetics of silipide and silymarin in rats. European Journal of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics; September 1993, Volume 18, Issue 3, pp 289-297.

14 Bombardelli E, Curri SB, Della Loggia R, et al. Complexes between phospholipids and vegetal derivatives of biological interest. Fitoterapia 1989;90:1-9.

15 Kidd PM. Phosphatidylcholine (Monograph). In: Czap K, Miller AL, Head KA, et al, eds. Alternative

Medicine Review Monographs Volume One. Dover, 2002:310-315.

16 Kidd, Kathleen Head. A Review of the Bioavailability and Clinical Efficacy of Milk Thistle Phytosome: A Silybin-Phosphatidylcholine Complex (Siliphos®). Alternative Medicine Review; Volume 10, Number 3, 2005.

17 Loguercio C. et al. Silybin combined with phosphatidylcholine and vitamin E in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized controlled trial; Free Radical Biology and Medicine (02/2012; 52(9):1658-65).

18 Buzzelli G, Moscarella S, Giusti A, et al. A pilot study on the liver protective effect of silybin-phosphatidylcholine complex (IdB 1016) in chronic active hepatitis. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol. 1993;31:456-460.

19 Ladas, Elena J. MS, RD et al. “A randomized, controlled, double-blind, pilot study of milk thistle for treatment of hepatotoxicity in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)”. Cancer. 01/2010; 116(2):506-13.