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Jarrow vs NOW Foods Milk Thistle (2026)
Disclosure: We earn commissions on purchases made through our links. This never influences our scores. Editorial policy
The Verdict
Jarrow takes it on our rubric, 85 to 77 on our 0-100 execution score, and holds our Top Pick badge in the milk thistle scorecard. It leads on purity verification (22 vs 20) and transparency (23 vs 20), with the extraction ratio and standardization percentage both stated on the label. On honest per-day cost at the full 420mg silymarin minimum the picture is closer than the old single-capsule framing suggested: Jarrow's 150mg capsule means nearly three a day, about $0.32, while NOW's higher-content capsule covers the day for about $0.23. NOW Foods is not a weak product: it is NPA GMP audited, standardized to 80% silymarin, includes artichoke and dandelion with amounts individually disclosed rather than hidden in a blend, and our notes record that it has passed ConsumerLab testing in previous rounds.
NOW took a 2026 repricing that roughly doubled its per-day cost. In our view Jarrow remains the pick on verification and label transparency, while NOW is now the cheaper way to reach a full clinical day and worth considering if you also want the artichoke and dandelion additions.
Jarrow Formulas Milk Thistle 150mg
Jarrow Formulas
NOW Foods Silymarin Milk Thistle Extract 300mg
NOW Foods
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Category | Jarrow Formulas Milk Thistle 150mg Jarrow Formulas | NOW Foods Silymarin Milk Thistle Extract 300mg NOW Foods |
|---|---|---|
| Brand Score | 85/100Winner | 77/100 |
| Dosing & Form | 18/25Winner | 18/25 |
| Purity | 22/25Winner | 20/25 |
| Value | 22/25Winner | 19/25 |
| Transparency | 23/25Winner | 20/25 |
| Cost/Day | $0.32 | $0.23Winner |
| Price checked | 2026-06-11 | 2026-06-11 |
| Dose/Serving | 150mg silymarin (80% flavonoids) | 300mg silymarin extract (80%) |
| Form | standardized silymarin extract capsule (30:1) | standardized silymarin extract (80%) veggie capsule |
| Third-Party Tested | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Proprietary Blend | No | No |
Why This Comparison Matters
Milk thistle labels are easy to misread, because some brands state the extract weight and others state the silymarin content, and the two are not the same number. Both products here are honest about it, which makes the comparison workable.
Jarrow Formulas delivers 150mg of silymarin per capsule from a 30:1 extract standardized to 80% total flavonoids, in a 200-capsule bottle at $22.99. NOW Foods delivers 300mg of extract at 80% silymarin, which is 240mg of silymarin per capsule, also in a 200-capsule bottle, at $25.74; our notes flag that it takes two NOW capsules daily to reach the low end of the clinical range. That is where the cost gap opens: about $0.11 per day for Jarrow against about $0.26 for NOW.
Both are third-party tested, neither carries USP or NSF certification, and both are standard silymarin extracts rather than the enhanced phytosome form.
Detailed Score Breakdown
Jarrow Formulas Milk Thistle 150mg
Jarrow Formulas
150mg standardized silymarin extract (30:1, 80% total flavonoids) per capsule - the well-studied form used in most liver-health clinical trials
Jarrow uses third-party testing and GMP-certified facilities. No USP or NSF certification, but 30:1 concentration with stated 80% flavonoid standardization is above average for the category.
$0.32/day at the 420mg clinical minimum (nearly three 150mg capsules; three run $0.34) after a 2026 price drop. The 200-capsule bottle covers about 10 weeks at that dose.
Full ingredient disclosure. Silymarin extraction ratio and standardization percentage clearly stated. No proprietary blends.
The standard silymarin extract from a reliable brand at an excellent price. For most people with general liver support goals, this form and dose is supported by the clinical evidence base.
NOW Foods Silymarin Milk Thistle Extract 300mg
NOW Foods
Standard silymarin extract at 300mg per capsule (80% silymarin = 240mg silymarin). Need 2 capsules daily to reach the low end of the clinical range.
NOW Foods is NPA GMP audited with in-house and third-party testing. No USP or NSF certification on this product. Has passed ConsumerLab testing in previous rounds.
$0.23/day at the 420mg-silymarin minimum (1.75 capsules; two capsules, 480mg silymarin, run $0.26) after the 2026 repricing doubled it - still reasonable for a standard extract from a reputable manufacturer, but no longer the category bargain.
Good disclosure. Silymarin percentage stated (80%). Includes artichoke and dandelion for a 'liver blend' - amounts individually disclosed. No hidden proprietary blends.
Strong price-to-quality ratio for standard silymarin even after the 2026 price rise. NOW Foods has a strong track record for delivering what the label says. Just know you need 2 capsules daily for a clinical dose.
How We Compared These Products
Every product in our database is scored on four equally-weighted pillars: dosing accuracy and form quality, purity verification (third-party testing), cost per clinically effective dose (not cost per pill), and label transparency. Each pillar is worth 25 points for a total of 100.
Cost per effective dose is calculated using the clinically studied dose from published research, not the manufacturer's suggested serving. If a product requires multiple servings to reach the dose used in clinical trials, that cost is reflected in the value score.
For a full explanation of our scoring methodology, see our methodology page. Prices were last checked on the dates listed for each product and may have changed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much silymarin does each capsule actually contain?
Jarrow states 150mg of silymarin per capsule from a 30:1 extract standardized to 80% total flavonoids. NOW states 300mg of extract at 80% silymarin, which works out to 240mg of silymarin per capsule. Per our notes, NOW needs two capsules daily to reach the low end of the clinical range.
Which milk thistle is cheaper per day?
At the full 420mg silymarin day, NOW: about $0.23 against Jarrow at about $0.32. Both ship 200-capsule bottles, at $22.99 and $25.74 respectively, but Jarrow's smaller 150mg capsule needs nearly three per day at the clinical minimum while NOW's higher-content capsule needs fewer than two, which reverses the old single-capsule framing.
More Milk Thistle (Silymarin) Comparisons
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FDA Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.