May Improve Cancer Treatment

It has been proposed that silymarin's antioxidant properties may have anticancer properties, which could be beneficial to cancer patients. According to animal research, milk thistle may be effective in minimizing the negative effects of cancer treatments. It may also improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy against certain tumors and, in certain cases, even eliminate cancer cells.

However, human trials are sparse and have yet to demonstrate a major therapeutic effect in individuals. This could be due to people not being able to absorb enough to get a therapeutic benefit. More research is needed before it can be known how silymarin can help persons receiving cancer treatment.