Study contradicts milk thistle effects

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Dec 14, 2005 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Scientists have called for further studies of milk thistle extract after studies show no positive or adverse affects on liver disease.

Milk thistle extract has been promoted as an alternative for treating liver disease caused by alcoholism or hepatitis B or C.

Researchers from Copenhagen University Hospital found no reaction in 900 patients with the disease over a six month period. The milk thistle neither protected against hepatoxins nor increased the health risk.

Dr. Christian Gluud said milk thistle products should not be sold as preventative medicine and more studies should be carried out.

The study was published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology.

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