Research synthesisLow evidenceMixed effect size4 studies · 3 beneficial · 1 neutral · 0 harmful
Across 4 studies, 3 reported beneficial effects of thistle (silymarin/silibinin) on triglyceride levels, with effect sizes ranging from small to large. The only meta-analysis (n=2283) found a neutral, non-significant effect (SMD: -0.92, p=0.080), while a systematic review and an RCT showed significant improvements. The median study duration was 120 days, and the most studied dose was 200 mg three times daily in a clinical population with metabolic or liver conditions.
- Effective dose range: 200 mg three times daily
- Studied populations: patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, or type II diabetes
Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 4 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. The highest-quality study (meta-analysis) did not reach statistical significance for triglycerides, suggesting the effect may be inconsistent or smaller than individual smaller studies suggest. Results are from clinical populations with specific conditions, so generalizability to healthy adults is unclear.
Generated Jul 15, 2026