Artichoke leaf extract may help to lower high cholesterol, help with indigestion, and treat irritable bowel syndrome. However, there is insufficient evidence that it is effective at treating these conditions. Before using artichoke leaf extract, talk to your healthcare provider if you have liver or gallbladder disease, any gallstones, or any allergies. The supplement may cause gas or allergic reactions.
What Is Artichoke Leaf Extract?
Artichoke leaf extract is an herbal supplement often claimed to be beneficial for the following conditions:
There are many other uses of artichoke leaf extract, some of which are more valid than others.
How Does Artichoke Leaf Extract Work?
Artichoke leaf extract contains chlorogenic acid, cynarin, and caffeic acid -- compounds that are thought to be the active components of artichoke leaf extract. For treating high
cholesterol, the supplement may work by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that controls the rate of cholesterol production in the body. This causes the liver to make less cholesterol. Many prescription
cholesterol medications work in a similar way.
It is not known exactly how artichoke leaf extract works for treating other health conditions.
Is Artichoke Leaf Extract Effective?
There is not enough evidence to know for sure if artichoke leaf extract is effective for any use, although some uses have more scientific evidence in their favor than others
(see
Does Artichoke Leaf Extract Work? for more information).
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