Milk thistle's active extract, silymarin, helps shield liver cells as an antioxidant. Its most reliable effect is modestly lowering raised liver enzymes, with better blood sugar in type 2 diabetes and smaller shifts in blood fats. Benefits show mainly in those starting with elevated markers. Safe and low-cost, but effects are unproven and product quality varies. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) | ~10–25 U/L | Primary marker of liver-cell stress; most likely to respond |
| Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) | ~10–25 U/L | Complements ALT; together track liver-cell injury |
| Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) | ~10–30 U/L | Oxidative stress, bile flow, and alcohol effect on the liver |
| Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) | <5.4% | Tracks whether the metabolic/glycemic benefit is materializing |
| Fasting glucose | 75–90 mg/dL | Shorter-term readout of glucose control |
| Lipid panel (LDL, triglycerides) | Triglycerides <90 mg/dL; LDL context-dependent | Detects the modest lipid effect seen in metabolic populations |
| High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) | <1.0 mg/L | Captures the anti-inflammatory signal, if any |
Cadence: Baseline before starting; retest at ~8–12 weeks on a stable dose, then every 6–12 months if continued