Frequently Asked Questions
Use the search field below to find answers to some of our most commonly asked questions posted by the Editors at LiverSupport.com. If you cannot find the information you are seeking, visit our contact form.
However, please note, that we are not medical advisors. Any medical questions you have about your personal condition and treatment options should be directed to your personal health care provider.
Top Ten Most Frequently Asked Questions
I am taking your milk thistle and I don't feel a difference.
Many people will not "feel" milk thistle making a difference in your liver's health. The real benefit of milk thistle is that it has been clinically shown to slow fibrosis, and this is not something that you would feel. Remember, people don't feel a difference taking cholesterol reducing drugs, but that does not mean those drugs are not doing their job in helping to save or extend their life.
What's the difference between silymarin and silybin?
Silymarin is the whole medicinal extract of the milk thistle plant. It is made up of three key bioflavonoids, including silybin (also called silibinin), silydianin and silychristin. Silybin normally makes up about 50% of silymarin. Silybin has been shown in clinical studies to be the most beneficial constituent of the milk thistle extract.
Can your products help with a fatty liver?
Please know that our products do not treat a specific condition, but they are well researched, clinically effective supplements to support liver health.
Studies on milk thistle, both in vitro (that would be studies in petri dishes, test tubes, etc.) and in vivo (which would be studies on live subjects), have shown that milk thistle extract protects liver cells thus reducing hepatocellular necrosis (or liver cell death). Anyone with a liver condition that may threaten the integrity of liver cells can benefit from hepatoprotection.
Our Maximum Milk Thistle and UltraThistle offer unparalleled levels of hepatoprotection and have even been shown in some research to regenerate liver cells. Liv.52 both protects and detoxifies the liver.
As you know, the liver filters and cleans the blood. A fatty liver will result in a decrease in its ability to perform optimally. Offering a fatty liver this type of nutritional support may assist in an increase in liver function.
In addition to liver support, it is sometimes suggested to embark on a gradual weight loss program to minimize the extra stress fat poses to the liver.
Studies on milk thistle, both in vitro (that would be studies in petri dishes, test tubes, etc.) and in vivo (which would be studies on live subjects), have shown that milk thistle extract protects liver cells thus reducing hepatocellular necrosis (or liver cell death). Anyone with a liver condition that may threaten the integrity of liver cells can benefit from hepatoprotection.
Our Maximum Milk Thistle and UltraThistle offer unparalleled levels of hepatoprotection and have even been shown in some research to regenerate liver cells. Liv.52 both protects and detoxifies the liver.
As you know, the liver filters and cleans the blood. A fatty liver will result in a decrease in its ability to perform optimally. Offering a fatty liver this type of nutritional support may assist in an increase in liver function.
In addition to liver support, it is sometimes suggested to embark on a gradual weight loss program to minimize the extra stress fat poses to the liver.
Can you recommend a doctor near me that is open to and knowledgeable about alternative medicine?
We suggest contacting the American Holistic Medical Association at 505-292-7788 or go to their website, www.holisticmedicine.org.
Can Hepatitis C be transmitted through sex? Will I give Hepatitis C to my husband/wife?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, studies regarding the transmission of Hepatitis C through sexual contact (whether it is genital, oral or anal) show that body fluids such as saliva, semen or urine must contain traces of infected blood for contamination to take place. If there are breaks in the skin (or lining of the mouth vagina or anus) Hepatitis C has the potential to be transmitted through intimate contact where blood from an infected individual crosses into the bloodstream of the non-infected person.
Hepatitis C individuals in long-term monogamous relationships rarely transmit the virus to their partners. Around 2% of sexual partners of Hepatitis C infected people test positive for Hepatitis. But, it is unknown whether these people contracted the virus from their partners during intimacy, or through some other route.
Hepatitis C individuals in long-term monogamous relationships rarely transmit the virus to their partners. Around 2% of sexual partners of Hepatitis C infected people test positive for Hepatitis. But, it is unknown whether these people contracted the virus from their partners during intimacy, or through some other route.
I was diagnosed with Hepatitis C, I like to have a glass of wine with dinner and a beer or two on the weekends. Is there an acceptable level of alcohol?
For those diagnosed with Hepatitis C we believe there is no acceptable level of alcohol and it should be eliminated completely.
How is Maximum Milk Thistle different from the Milk Thistle I get at my local store?
Maximum Milk Thistle contains 240 mg of Silybin Phytosome(Siliphos). Silybin is the most beneficial compound in milk thistle extract bound to phosphatidylcholine. This molecular bonding provides for a more absorbable product. It is 8 to 10 times more absorbable due to this bond with phosphatidylcholine.
Our Maximum Milk Thistle is absorbed more easily by the body than the regular milk thistle products that are found in stores. In addition, Maximum Milk Thistle offers 240 mg of the active ingredient while store bought products typically only offer 180 mg of the less absorbable milk thistle extract.
Our Maximum Milk Thistle is absorbed more easily by the body than the regular milk thistle products that are found in stores. In addition, Maximum Milk Thistle offers 240 mg of the active ingredient while store bought products typically only offer 180 mg of the less absorbable milk thistle extract.
I am allergic to soy. Do your products contain soy?
NT Factor, Silymarin Phytosome and Silybin Phytosome are hypoallergenic. The phospholipids are derived from soy but contain no soy protein, therefore, no allergens.
Can I take Maximum Milk Thistle at the same time as Interferon and Ribavrin?
There are no known contraindications between Maximum Milk Thistle and other supplements or medications. However, we have heard from some of our customers that sometimes their physicians will suggest to discontinue taking other supplements so that they can make a determination as to whether the medications are working. As we are not medical advisors, we suggest consulting with your physician.
Can herbal or nutritional supplements eliminate the Hepatitis C virus?
We have seen no evidence that shows that an herbal or nutritional supplement can eliminate the Hepatitis C virus. Companies that sell products that claim to 'cure Hepatitis C' are absolutely false. If there was a nutritional or herbal supplement that could 'cure Hepatitis C' where are all of the patients that have been cured? There are likely hundreds of herbal or nutritional supplements that can support the liver, however none are known to be 'cures'.