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Medical
research indicates the active ingredient in UltraThistle is
better absorbed, and produces better results, than any other
silymarin or milk thistle extract. Additionally, this formula
is part of an ongoing hepatitis C treatment research study
at a foremost medical school AND a new hepatitis C dosing
study at a major university medical center. This scientific
validation explains why more and more doctors are prescribing
UltraThistle. And why more and more patients are choosing
it to protect and support their liver.
What
is the evidence to support the claim that UltraThistle is
significantly better?
This is the same question asked
by doctors before giving UltraThistle their approval. Several
human and animal studies have shown UltraThistle is dramatically
better absorbed. In one study, the excretion of silybin in
the bile was evaluated in patients undergoing gallbladder
removal because of gallstones. A special drainage tube, the
T-tube, was used to get the samples of bile necessary. Patients
were given either a single dose of UltraThistle or silymarin.
The amount of silybin recovered in the bile within 48 hours
was 11% for the UltraThistle group and 3% for the silymarin
group. This is nearly 4 times more in the bile.
In another
study designed to assess absorption, plasma silybin levels
were determined after administration of single oral doses
of UltraThistle and a similar amount of silymarin to 9 healthy
volunteers. The authors concluded UltaThistle was absorbed
into the bloodstream roughly 8 times greater than regular
milk thistle extracts standardized to contain 70-80% silymarin.
Are
there any scientific studies clearly indicating better results
with UltraThistle?
Several clinical studies have also
shown UltraThistle to produce better results than regular
silymarin extracts. In one study of 232 patients with chronic
hepatitis (viral, alcohol, or drug induced) treated with UltraThistle
at a dosage either 120mg twice daily or 120mg three times
daily for up to 120 days, liver function returned to normal
faster in the patients taking UltraThistle compared to a group
of controls (49 treated with a commercially available milk
thistle extract standardized to contain 70% silymarin; 117
untreated or given placebo).
Better
results were also seen in a preliminary study in patients
with chronic viral hepatitis (3 with hepatitis B, 3 with both
hepatitis B and hepatitis C, and 2 with hepatitis C) given
UltraThistle for 2 months. After Treatment, serum malondialdehyde
levels (an indicator of lipid peroxidation) decreased by 36%,
and the quantitative liver function evaluation, as expressed
by galactose elimination capacity, increased by 15%. A statistically
significant reduction of liver enzymes was also seen: AST
decreased 17% and ALT decreased 16%.
In another
study designed primarily to evaluate the dose-response relationship
of UltraThistle, positive effects were again displayed at
a level better than those reported for milk thistle extracts
containing 70-80% silymarin. In the study, patients with chronic
hepatitis due to either a virus or alcohol were given different
doses of SILIPHOS®: 20 patients received 80mg twice daily,
20 patients received 120 mg twice daily, and 20 patients received
120mg three times daily for two weeks.
At all
tested doses, UltaThistle produced a remarkable and statistically
significant decrease of mean serum and total bilirubin levels.
When used at the dose of 240 or 360mg per day, it also resulted
in a remarkable and statistically significant decrease of
the ALT and GGTP liver enzymes. These results indicate that
even short-term treatment of viral or alcohol-induced hepatitis
with relative low doses of phosphatidylcholine bound silymarin
can be effective, but for the best results higher doses are
indicated.
How
does better absorption relate to better results?
The effectiveness
of any herbal product (or medication) is dependent upon delivering
an effective level of the active compounds. For milk thistle,
this means delivering an effective level of silybin. It only
makes sense that if you can increase the absorption and utilization
of these components you will see better results.
Through
the Phytosome process UltraThistle supercharges the absorption
of the most beneficial component of milk thistle and exponentially
increases its ability to reach and protect liver cells.*
(Phytosomes
are advanced forms of herbal products that are better absorbed
and utilized. As a result they are more efficient and effective
than conventional herbal extracts. Phytosomes are produced
through a patented process whereby the individual components
of an herbal extract are bound to phosphatidylcholine - an
emulsifying compound derived from soy. Phytosomes are better
absorbed, have greater activity and are better utilized by
the body than either the herbal material or phosphatidylcholine
alone.)
Using
supercharged absorption for greatest effectiveness, UltraThistle
gets 8 to 10 times more silybin to your liver than any common
80% standardized milk thistle extract.*
The following
chart of clinical study results accurately represents the
superior systemic delivery of silybin when administered as
part of UltraThistle versus 80% standardized silymarin or
pure silybin. Notice how much more silybin reaches the bloodstream,
and therefore the liver, when absorption is supercharged by
the patented Phytosome® process.
Again,
you must remember that absorption is critical to the effectiveness
of any therapeutic agent. Silybin cannot help your liver if
it doesn't get into your bloodstream. Without the Phytosome
process used to make Siliphos, very little silybin is absorbed.
If you are currently taking an 80% standardized milk thistle
product (the most common available under numerous brand names)
your results are represented by the green line on the chart.
Pure silybin is represented by the yellow line. And UltraThistle
is represented by the red line.
This
chart clearly shows how much more protection get to your liver
with UltraThistle (red) compared to 80% standardized (green).
What
is the dosage recommendation for UltraThistle?
Based on
the clinical study data, when maximum liver protection and
support is needed, the dosage recommendation is 360mg three
times per day. This is three capsules per day. One bottle
of UltraThistle is a one month supply at the recommended dosage.
Is
there any danger in taking this higher dosage of such a powerful
remedy?
The German government did extensive research on
milk thistle formulas and found that milk thistle has no known
contraindications, no known drug interactions and no toxicity.
In fact, German doctors prescribed enough milk thistle to
liver patients in 1998 that sales exceeded $180 milllion
in that country alone.
No drug interactions are known. One report has noted that one ingredient in milk thistle, silybinin, can inhibit the bacterial enzyme, beta-glucuronidase, which helps oral contraceptives work. Milk thistle could therefore reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. Please consult your health care provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding your medical condition.
Where
can I learn even more about scientific studies regarding UltraThistle
and its active ingredient?
Bastyr
University Medical School: The Bastyr Hepatitis C Clinic
is treating and monitoring patients in order to "evaluate
a science based naturopathic medical protocol for the treatment
of people diagnosed with hepatitis C." The protocol calls
for 360mg of Siliphos - the exact dosage found in UltraThistle.
In fact, Dr. Standish specifically prescribes UltraThistle
to her Hepatitis C patients. More info...
National
Institutes for Health: A clinical trial is currently being organized under the NIH to be conducted at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston to determine whether milk thistle has any adverse interactions with other prescriptions or over-the-counter medications. More info...
A clinical trial is currently being organized under the NIH to be conducted at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine to determine if treatment of Hepatitis C with milk thistle is more effective than no treatment in patients infected with both HIV and Hepatitis C. More info...
A clinical trial has recently ended that was organized under the NIH and was conducted at the University
of Washington Medical School. Based on the success of earlier
studies these researchers are looking at this same formula
with regard to Hepatitis C patients who are not good candidates
for conventional treatment. Because of its proven safety and
effectiveness, they will be investigating what the beneficial
results might be at higher dosages. More
info...
Other
Clinical Studies: Pharmacological and toxicological results,
added to those found from pharmacokinetic studies, have provided
the basis for clinical testing of SILIPHOS. Clinical studies
have been performed to evaluate the properties of this new
complex in subjects with "pathological" impairment
of liver function. The results, including the optimal tolerability
obtained in these "extreme" clinical situations,
give strong support for the use of SILIPHOS for all liver
concerns. More info...
How
can I get prescription-strength UltraThistle for myself?
Click
here to order UltraThistle now.
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I've been taking milk thistle products for several years now. A few years ago I discovered UltraThistle. Over these same years I've had regular lab work done in regard to my liver function. Even though I suffer from liver disease, my liver is functioning normally as has been documented by my lab work! I believe this is in a large part due to the UltraThistle I've been taking.
- M. Miller