Let me tell you a quick story. Milk thistle extract is also known as silymarin, which consists of several different flavonoids and lignans. Flavonoids are a type of antioxidant. Lignans have nutritive value and positive effects on your health. But, before you rush to buy a supplement, there are a few things that you should know.

Scientists have proven that the plant is non-toxic when ingested orally. There is a very low toxicity in laboratory animals that have been injected with large amounts of the concentrated extract. But, still, it only made the animals ill. So, there are no warnings concerning the plant's use as a health supplement, as long as the manufacturer's directions are followed.

Ruminants, animals with two stomachs, such as cattle and sheep, should not consume the plants, because of a high potassium nitrate content, which can cause the formation of nitric ions in the animal's bloodstream, creating a toxic reaction.

People and other single-stomach mammals can consume all parts of the plant, safely. But, it is the seeds that have the medicinal activity. So, the first step, when buying a supplement, is to find out whether or not the milk thistle extract has been taken from the seeds. Herbal supplements could contain any part of the plant, event the whole plant ground up. The recommendation to look for the seeds has to do with the effectiveness, not the safety.

Once you have found a supplement that is derived from the seeds, the second step is to look at the other ingredients. If it is a single ingredient supplement, there will be very low bioavailability, meaning that very little ends up in the bloodstream, where it can be used.

The low bioavailability, combined with poor water solubility, led pharmaceutical companied to develop enhanced formulations. Primarily, they are used to counteract consumption of poisonous mushrooms, such as the death cap. Death cap consumption causes fatal liver damage.

Over-the-counter milk thistle extract is recommended as a liver tonic. But, unless the seeds are the source and a nutrient called lecithin is included in the product, there will be little, if any effect.

Herbs and other dietary supplements can be expensive. If you are like most people, you don't mind paying for something that is a worthwhile investment, but unless you can find a manufacturer that you trust, it is difficult if not impossible to determine whether or not you have made such a worthy investment.

Milk thistle extract is only one of many plant extracts that are beneficial to the health of the liver and other bodily organs, including the skin. Some multi-nutritional supplements contain dozens of different plant extracts. Obviously, the multi-ingredient supplements are a more worthwhile investment than the single ingredient products.

So now that you know all this, remember to treat the outside of your body in the same way that you would treat the inside, if you want to look as good as you feel, for the rest of your life. Taking milk thistle extract may improve the skin's appearance, but supplementation is only half of the formula for good looking skin.

To learn more about vitamins for healthy skin, and other incredible substances you've probably never heard of, visit my website today.