LiverLive Zinc

Silybum marianum (Silymarin) with Zinc 500 mg box of '30s. 
 
People have traditionally used milk thistle for problems with the liver and gallbladder. Experts believe silymarin is the primary active ingredient of the herb. Silymarin is an antioxidant compound taken from milk thistle seeds. It's unclear what benefits, if any, it may have in the body, but sometimes used as a natural treatment for things including cirrhosis, jaundice, hepatitis, and gallbladder disorders.
Some claim milk thistle may also:
Provide heart benefits by lowering cholesterol levels
Help diabetes in people who have type 2 diabetes and cirrhosis
 
Risks. Milk thistle can trigger allergic reactions. People who are allergic to artichokes, kiwi, ragweed, daisies, marigolds, and chrysanthemums are at higher risk. People who have diabetes or endometriosis should check with a doctor before using milk thistle. While milk thistle has been traditionally used in pregnant and breastfeeding women, its safety is unknown. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your doctor before using milk thistle. Milk thistle is not recommended for children.
Side effects. Milk thistle seems to have few side effects, even when taken for several years. Some people have nausea, diarrhea, itching, and bloating.
Interactions. If you take any medicines regularly, talk to your doctor before you start using milk thistle. It could interact with many drugs, including some that treat high cholesterol, infections, insomnia, and blood pressure. Since milk thistle may lower blood sugar, people with diabetes should check with their doctor before taking the herb as it may make their blood sugar fall too low.
 
Here are seven potential benefits that have been linked to Zinc.
 
1. Boosts the Immune System
Zinc is right up there with vitamin C as a popular cold remedy. "Immune cells depend on zinc for healthy development and function," Best says. This role that Zinc plays in immune functioning is why researchers suspect boosting zinc intake when you're sick or just before you get sick may help shorten the duration of illness or help stop you from getting sick.
According to a May 2017 meta-analysis published in JRSM Open, at least 75 mg of Zinc per day shortened the common cold by 33 percent. Another meta-analysis, published in April 2017 Open Forum Infectious Disease found patients who took 80 to 92 mg of Zinc per day to treat their cold recovered three times faster than those who did not, leading the study researchers to recommend that people take zinc acetate lozenges within 24 hours of experiencing symptoms. And while it's too soon to know whether Zinc can help people with COVID-19, there's speculation that it might, especially those at high risk, according to a review published in July 2020 in Frontiers in Immunology.
The NIH recommends 40 mg per day as the tolerable upper limit people should stick to, so it's a good idea to check with your doctor for a personalized recommendation before trying a higher dose.