Side-by-side comparison of mechanisms, dosing, interactions, and stacking potential.
| Milk Thistle (Silymarin) | Serrapeptase | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Supplements | Supplements |
| Standard Dose | 200-400mg silymarin daily (standardized to 70-80% silymarin) | 120,000-240,000 SPU (serratiopeptidase units) daily |
| Timing | With meals. Split doses for higher amounts. Phytosome form can be taken without food. | On empty stomach (critical — food proteins will be digested instead of systemic absorption). 30+ minutes before meals or 2 hours after. |
| Cycle Duration | Cycle 8-12 weeks for liver support; ongoing at low dose for maintenance | Cycle 4-8 weeks on, 2-4 weeks off |
| Evidence Level | strong_human | moderate_human |
Silymarin is a complex of flavonolignans (silybin A, silybin B, silychristin, silydianin, isosilybin) with silybin being the most active. Hepatoprotective mechanisms: stabilizes hepatocyte cell membranes by altering outer lipid layer composition (preventing toxin penetration), stimulates ribosomal RNA polymerase I (accelerating hepatocyte protein synthesis and regeneration), inhibits NF-kB and TNF-alpha (anti-inflammatory), scavenges free radicals (both ROS and RNS), promotes glutathione synthesis (increases intracellular GSH by 35%), and inhibits hepatic stellate cell activation (anti-fibrotic). Silybin also activates AMPK and enhances bile flow.
200-400mg silymarin daily (standardized to 70-80% silymarin)
With meals. Split doses for higher amounts. Phytosome form can be taken without food.
Cycle 8-12 weeks for liver support; ongoing at low dose for maintenance
Serrapeptase (serratiopeptidase) is a proteolytic enzyme originally isolated from the gut of the silkworm (Serratia marcescens). It hydrolyzes non-living tissue including fibrin, blood clots, cysts, and arterial plaque while sparing living tissue. It reduces bradykinin and other pain-mediating amines, provides anti-inflammatory effects by reducing neutrophil infiltration, and thins mucus by cleaving glycoprotein structures. It may also enhance antibiotic penetration into biofilms.
120,000-240,000 SPU (serratiopeptidase units) daily
On empty stomach (critical — food proteins will be digested instead of systemic absorption). 30+ minutes before meals or 2 hours after.
Cycle 4-8 weeks on, 2-4 weeks off
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