It also acts as a deodorizer and helps to prevent your poop from being overly smelly. Gray or clay-colored stool and yellow stool also may signify diseases of the pancreas, gallbladder, or the liver. As described previously, some changes in the color of stool can be due to the color of the ingested food. Conditions such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures,diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis orcolon cancer may be responsible. Milk Thistle, PDQ Cancer Information Summaries, US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. The uses of milk thistle are based on both tradition and scientific theories. eMedicineHealth does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Taking an ox bile supplement and digestive enzymes can make the world of difference and help you absorb beneficial fats from your diet. Generally, the black, tarry stool also is foul-smelling. There are times, however, when you do need to be concerned and watchful for other symptoms. There is a problem with hepatitis. Medical conditions that can cause dark, tar-like stools include duodenal or gastric ulcers, esophageal varices and gastritis. Can you drink alcohol while taking milk thistle? so I thought I would go back on it . Any changes in bowel habits (constipation, diarrhea, and change in frequency) or any pertinent symptoms (pain with or without eating, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, etc.) Domestic Orders $75+. ( 4) 5. flow of bile causes backup of bile into the blood resulting in yellowness of Probably you are correct that the urine color is due to the supplement. Once the toxic waste is liberated from your tissues, it circulates in your body before being eliminated. Milk thistle is sold as an oral capsule, tablet and liquid extract. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Bile is yellow/orange and it changes color as it passes in the intestine - to darker colors of brown. What Are the Risks of Taking Milk Thistle? The change of stool color to gray or clay typically occurs gradually as these medical conditions progress relatively slowly and stool becomes pale over time. Merlin Annie Raj is a Registered Dietitian based out of Hyderabad, India. Extreme fatigue. Risks. Going overboard with turmeric, curry and orange vegetables like pumpkin can make your stools look more yellow. If necessary, biopsies can be taken with these techniques. Can i take milk thistle with other vitamins? Some people have nausea, diarrhea, itching, and bloating. Milk thistle might also decrease hormone levels in the body (5). Penner, R. M. MD. Persistent black, tarry stools or red, bloody stools signify intestinal bleeding and need to be evaluated by a health-care professional promptly. However, not everyone is going to like it, simply because they are going to experience certain side effects. However, if it goes on for a longer period or you feel that it's cutting off oxygen supply and you develop fever or difficulty in eating, you might as well stop it and see your doctor immediately. Facts & Comparisons eAnswers. certain vegetables with deep colors, green foods. Milk Thistle decreases inflammation, modifies the activity of important liver enzymes, and increases bile production.. As a result, it helps the body deal with liver disease, heart disease, diabetes, and skin conditions, and reverse the toxic effects of air pollution . ", National Center of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM): "Milk Thistle," Herbs at a Glance: Milk thistle., Medicinenet.com: "Generic Name: Milk Thistle Oral.". Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Smoking Pot Every Day Linked to Heart Risks, Artificial Sweetener Linked to Heart Risks, FDA Authorizes First At-Home Test for COVID and Flu, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox. Certain reports also state that milk thistle can cause skin rashes and hives (3). When you pass a white, gray or pale stool, it might be an indication of liver or gallbladder problem. Why You Shouldnt Let Liver Disease Get You Down, FDA Approved Weight Loss Supplement May Cause Permanent Liver Damage. The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, second edition, 2004. Answer From Michael F. Picco, M.D. Available for Android and iOS devices. 5th ed. If stool is red, maroon, black, clay-colored, pale, yellow, or green this may . Theres conflicting research on the benefits of milk thistle for liver health. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Your poop should be that color brown. If its faulty or wrongly described, well replace it. It can also come from red-colored medicine. Instead, take a moment and think about what your ate the day or days before. In one case, milk thistle had caused excessive sweating and weakness (14). It's normal for to develop side effects with milk thistle, particularly if your body is not used to it. Methods to evaluate a change in the color of stool are upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy or EGD), and colonoscopy. medical treatment for stool color changes? This makes it very hard to establish a standard dose. May be normal. should I seek medical care for stool color changes? Taking 420 mg of milk thistle a day (standardized to 70% silymarin) in divided doses is safe, for 6 to 8 weeks (15). Does it help detox the liver? You might also get the herb at your nearest supermarket/pharmacy. Yes: Probably you are correct that the urine color is due to the supplement. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which But studies on heart benefits have only been done in people with diabetes. People who are brave enough to peek in the bowl after elimination could learn a lot from what they are leaving behind including several possible indicators of subpar liver health. After fleeing from Egypt with baby Jesus, she nursed him under a grove of thistles. The evaluation of these conditions may warrant careful evaluation by an internist, primary care physician, or a gastroenterologist (a physician specialized in disease of the stomach and the intestines). Some people claim it can help to treat: cirrhosis. In these cases, it's OK if your poop isn't quite so brown," explained Nitin Ahuja, MD, MS, physician . It is also hypoallergenic and has no reported case of drug interaction except for some contraceptives. How are the causes of stool color changes diagnosed? If you had red beets, Swiss chard, spinach, kale, Oreos, Nutella, black licorice, red-purple fruit juices or candy or other foods that color stools, then consider waiting a couple of days to see if your stool returns to its normal brown color. Oral ingestion of milk thistle has also been linked to abdominal fullness (or abdominal pain), anorexia (a loss of appetite), and changes in bowel habits (1). like milk thistle? Milk thistle. It could be anything from a vitamin B12 deficiency to a symptom of anemia. Computerized tomography (CT scan) is ordered frequently by physicians if the change in stool color is believed to be related to underlying cancer, pancreatic disease, or obstructive conditions of the bile ducts and gallbladder. Step 3: Take 2-3 Milk Thistle pills per day with meals. Although few consider bowel movement color to be a red flag of liver disease in and of itself, being aware of a persistent color change can be one of the first indications that your liver health should be evaluated by your physician. You should consult your physician or healthcare professional regarding your health and should not take any action with respect to content provided on this site. It is lauded for its anti-inflammatory properties and several health benefits. While orange or brownish urine can have a multitude of causes, liver disease must be ruled out. Can Milk Thistle Help People With Diabetes? The stool can be gray or clay-colored if it contains little or no bile. Question posted by Dawnskids on 24 Oct 2018, Last updated on 24 October 2018 by Stephen Treloar, Been taking it for about a week and a half and my stools are very light almost like a yellow. The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Theres some evidence that milk thistle can treat cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis, which can be caused by alcohol abuse, autoimmune disease, or viruses. Your poop says a lot about your health. In fact, it's so effective you can take milk thistle for liver disease, such as cirrhosis and hepatitis. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. 5 Starters, 3 Entrees, 4 Sides, 3 Beverages, 3 Desserts. Check if they have been certified organic following U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations. It is native to Mediterranean countries. Moreover, large amounts of blood within the intestines speed up the transit of stool so that there is less time for the changes to take place. Accessed Oct. 30, 2020. I have been taking Milk Thistle regularly for about a week and my stool is very black. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Variations in color can indicate problems with the health of your digestive system and even problems in other organs of your body. LeanGuy said: This is an embarrasing thing. Mothers who used milk thistle to boost their milk production reported unwanted weight gain along with irritability and nausea (16). https://www.wolterskluwercdi.com/facts-comparisons-online/. Since feces color will naturally change with a varied diet, there is no need to panic when the color appears to be different. Stool color changes, depending on the color, can be harmless or an indication of a health problem, minor or serious. Your stool should soon return to its normal color. Other Causes for Concern for Dark Urine. The substance that provides the color to the stool is the bile that is made by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. She has gathered acupuncture licenses in the states of California and New York, is a certified specialist with the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association, has earned diplomat status with the National Commission of Chinese and Oriental Medicine in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology and is a member of the Society for Integrative Oncology. These tests can help Ac. Instead, awareness of stool hue can help people recognize when a new color occurs frequently. What Are the Best PsA Treatments for You? Goldenseal: 9 Potential Health Benefits, Dosage, And Possible Side Bumps On Areola And Nipples: Causes, Diagnosis, And Treatment, 11 Benefits Of Dandelions, Nutrition, And Side Effects. Iron supplements also commonly make the stool look more dark. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Milk thistle is a biggie known for its detoxifying powers. All shades of brown and even green are considered normal. The milk may have fallen on the leaves, leaving white marks. Other times, these changes may have accompanying symptoms of: Persistently gray or clay-colored stools suggest some type of obstruction to the flow of bile. Regardless, if an abnormal palette persists for more than a day or two, keep a record of your stools hue and take it to your doctor. Can you take milk thistle if on synthroid? Talk to your doctor before taking any supplements because they might interfere with your medication. Nicole Cutler, L.Ac., MTCM, Dipl. This is a problem because youll be missing out on precious essential fatty acids like omega 3 fats, which are necessary for reducing inflammation in your body.