Milk thistle, commonly known as St Mary’s plant or variegated artichoke, is a plant that has been used in medicine for over 2,000 years. It is distinguishable by its beautiful purple flower and thorn-covered stem.
Despite its suggestive name, it doesn’t actually contain any milk. The term comes from the white sap-like liquid obtained when crushing the plant’s leaves. Its active ingredient, silymarin, is a powerful antioxidant rich in anti-inflammatory properties. It prevents toxins from entering the liver while also repairing damaged liver cells. Great news for those suffering from liver, kidney, and gall bladder conditions.
What to look for in a Magnesium Supplement
Absorption is the key word. Ideally, we want to choose a product that will be easily and effectively processed by our organism. There are a few factors that facilitate that process:
- A Magnesium Blend
A product that mixes different types of magnesium (such as citrate and oxide) expedites the absorption of the nutrient. - Zinc
Another mineral that strengthens our immune system and muscles is Zinc. It also has a calming effect on our nervous system, just like magnesium, so it also alleviates muscle fatigue and sleep issues. - Vitamin D3
We get 80% of our vitamin D through sunlight rather than through our diet. Therefore, having an additional supplement that can provide the nutrient is necessary as it helps us break down and absorb higher quantities of magnesium.
What to avoid in a Magnesium Supplement
A few things to consider when choosing the right product:
- Unclear Serving Size
There is a lot of confusion when it comes to serving sizes on supplement labels. The label normally informs you of the amount of magnesium per serving and not per capsule. Be careful when choosing a product so you won’t have to take multiple capsules in order to get your daily dose of magnesium. - Calcium
Magnesium and Calcium are two minerals that can actually make absorption more complicated when ingested together. Make sure you read the ingredients and check that your magnesium supplement doesn’t contain any calcium.
