A complete safety, timing, and dosage guide for combining Milk Thistle (Silymarin) with PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone) (cellular health) — including how the two supplements interact, the best time of day to take each, and which populations should be careful.
Yes, you can take PQQ and milk thistle together safely, as they do not interact.
PQQ and Milk Thistle together are neutral: you can combine them without worrying about adverse interactions. PQQ supports cellular energy, while milk thistle (silymarin) supports liver function. These two supplements work through separate pathways, making them a safe pairing.
PQQ (pyrroloquinoline quinone) is a water-soluble redox cofactor that promotes mitochondrial biogenesis and acts as an antioxidant. Milk thistle's active component, silymarin, is a fat-soluble complex of flavonolignans that is poorly absorbed orally and works mainly in the liver through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways. The two molecules do not share a common transporter or receptor system, and their mechanisms of action are independent. While silymarin can inhibit certain cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP3A4, CYP2C9), PQQ is not primarily metabolized by these enzymes, so a relevant pharmacokinetic interaction is unlikely. In short, there is no known biological reason for PQQ and silymarin to significantly amplify or block each other's effects.
If you are already taking PQQ and want to add milk thistle, the simplest approach is to take both at breakfast. Milk thistle absorbs better when taken with food, especially food containing healthy fats like eggs, avocado, or olive oil. PQQ can also be taken with food; empty stomach is fine, but breakfast helps avoid any mild stomach upset. You can take them in the same sitting — no spacing is required. If you miss a dose, skip it and resume at your next meal; do not double. For best absorption from milk thistle, choose a phytosome or enhanced-absorption form. For PQQ, a disodium salt form is fine, but standard PQQ is also well absorbed.
PQQ is relatively well absorbed in its free form, but some forms such as the disodium salt are more soluble, which can slightly improve bioavailability. For milk thistle, the standard silymarin extract is poorly absorbed, but phytosome forms (silymarin complexed with phosphatidylcholine) are significantly better absorbed. If you want the strongest effect from milk thistle, look for a phytosome or enhanced-absorption formulation.
This pair occasionally appears in comprehensive liver- and energy-support formulas alongside CoQ10 and alpha-lipoic acid. It is also seen in some anti-aging mitochondrial health stacks, where PQQ is paired with CoQ10 and nicotinamide riboside, and milk thistle is added for liver support.
Yes, you can take them together at the same time. There is no known interaction that requires separating them. Taking both with a meal that includes some fat will help milk thistle absorption and is perfectly fine for PQQ.
Yes, it is safe for most healthy adults to take both every day at their standard doses. I would just make sure you are using reputable products and not exceeding the label recommendations. If you have a medical condition or take prescription medications, a quick check with your doctor is always wise.
You do not need to wait any specific time between these two supplements. They do not interfere with each other's absorption or activity, so taking them together works well.
No, they do not compete for absorption. PQQ is water-soluble and absorbed through different transport mechanisms than silymarin, which is fat-soluble and poorly absorbed. Taking them together will not reduce the effectiveness of either one.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications that are metabolized by the liver (like blood thinners, statins, or diabetes drugs), you should talk to your healthcare provider before adding this combination. Otherwise, most healthy adults can take them together without issue.
Take both with food for best results. Milk thistle absorption is significantly improved when taken with a meal that contains fat. PQQ can be taken either way, but taking it with food reduces any chance of mild stomach discomfort.
Reviewed by Caroline M. on January 15, 2025 for accuracy against the sources listed above. This page is educational and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
The matrix has 86 supplements and 7310 pairwise interactions. Click any cell to see the full breakdown.