A new study finds daily supplementation with Milk Thistle may support decreased severity and reduced frequency of hot flashes for menopausal women.
80 menopausal women participated in this randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study. The women were split equally into two groups; one group received a 400 mg Milk Thistle Extract supplement while the 2nd group received a placebo. The study lasted 12 weeks. Researchers used the Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS) and the Hot Flash Related Daily Interference Scale (HFRDIS) to measure results.
The women in the Milk Thistle group saw a significant reduction in the frequency of their hot flashes from 4.3 per day to 1.3 per day at the end of the study period. Additionally the severity of hot flashes experienced by the Milk Thistle group dropped from 5.25 to 1.62 after the study period. This also was a significant reduction compared to the results seen in the group taking the placebo.
The active component of the herb Milk Thistle is Silymarin, which is itself a complex of other components which include isosilibinin, silibinin and other flavonolignants. Milk Thistle is most commonly associated with Liver support. The researchers in this study believe silibinin may have a combative effect on estrogen receptors.
Further studies with different dosages and durations would be useful.
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