Guggul (6% Guggulsterones E &Z), 60 Vcaps
-
Nature's
Way
Guggul Extract ( Commiphora mukul) is
standardized to 6% guggulsterones E & Z. Guggul has been clinically
shown to promote cardiovascular health.
Supplement Facts:
Guggul extract - 425 mg
(gum resin), 6% guggulsterones E & Z
* Guggul daily vValue not established
Click here to buy Guggul supplement
Guggul dosage
The dosage of guggulsterones is 25 mg two or three times daily. Most extracts contain
2.55% guggulsterones and can be taken daily for 3 to six months.
Arthritis
The effectiveness of Commiphora mukul (guggul) for osteoarthritis of
the knee: an outcomes study.
Altern Ther Health Med. 2003 May-Jun;9(3):74-9.
Singh BB,.
Southern California University of Health Sciences, USA.
Ayurveda, the traditional system of healthcare in India, has many
remedies for Osteoarthritis (OA). One of the ingredients most commonly found in
Ayurvedic arthritis formulas is guggul, an oleoresin of the herb Commiphora
mukul. The authors have conducted both preclinical and clinical
investigations of guggul for reduction of pain, stiffness, and improved
function, and to determine tolerability in older patients with a diagnosis of OA
of the knee. The study was conducted using an outcome,
quasi-experimental, model. Thirty male and female participants meeting the
inclusion/exclusion criteria, with a score of 2 or more on the Kellegran-Lawrence
scale for at least 1 knee, were admitted in the study. Guggul was administered in
capsule form (500 mg concentrated exact delivered TID) along with food. The
WOMAC Total Score was used as a primary outcome measure. VAS scales, 6-minute
walk-test, and WOMAC subscales were used as outcome measures. At the
end of treatment, there was a significant difference in the scores of the
primary and secondary outcome measures. On the primary measure, WOMAC total
score, participants were significantly improved after taking the
supplement for 1 month and continued to improve at the 2-month marker and
follow-up. Secondary measures of pain in the VAS format demonstrated participant
improvement; however, mood state, and current pain were not significantly
different than baseline until the 2 month assessment. Overall data indicate significant improvement for participants
during the trial in both scales and objective measures used for assessment
purposes. There were no side effects reported during the trial. Guggul appears to be
a relatively safe and effective supplement to reduce symptoms of OA.
Guggul and inflammation
Guggul also has anti-inflammatory activity.
One study reports that it may be beneficial in osteoarthritis.
Myrrhanol A, a new triterpene isolated from guggul (Balsamodendron or
Commiphora mukul Hook.)-gum resin, displays a potent anti-inflammatory effect.
For more guggul
information.
Does guggul lower
cholesterol?
The resin of the Commiphora mukul tree has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for
more than 2000 years to treat a variety of ailments. Most studies in both animal
models and humans have shown that this resin, termed gum guggul, can decrease
elevated lipid levels. Guggulsterones have been identified as the active agents
in this resin. In the 1980s, an extract of the resin--dubbed gugulipid--began to
be marketed as a cholesterol-lowering agent. The mode of action of
guggulsterones is quite different from that of cholesterol-lowering statin
drugs. Guggulsterones work by blocking a substance that stops the body from
getting rid of cholesterol. Statins, on the other hand, block the body from
making more cholesterol. This means that guggul could potentially be used in
combination with statins. Additional studies show guggul to lower fasting blood
sugar, blood pressure, and insulin levels. Guggul also has anti-inflammatory
activity.
Guggul for hyperlipidemia: a review by the Natural Standard Research
Collaboration.
Complement Ther Med. 2005 December. Ulbricht C, Basch E, Szapary P, Hammerness P, Axentsev S, Boon H, Kroll
D, Garraway L, Vora M, Woods J; Natural Standard Research Collaboration.
Massachusetts General Hospital, USA.
To evaluate the scientific evidence on guggul for hyperlipidemia including
expert opinion, folkloric precedent, history, pharmacology, kinetics/dynamics,
interactions, adverse effects, toxicology, and dosing. The effects of guggulipid
in patients with high cholesterol are not clear, with some studies finding
cholesterol-lowering effects, and other research suggesting no benefits. At this
time, there is not enough scientific evidence to support the use of guggul for
any medical condition. Guggul may cause stomach discomfort. It should be avoided
in pregnant or breast-feeding women and in children. Safety of use beyond 4
months has not been well studied.
Guggulipid for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia: a
randomized controlled trial.
Szapary PO. niversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia
19104-6021, USA.
JAMA. 2003 Aug 13;290(6):765-72.
Recently, guggulsterones, the purported bioactive compounds of guggul, have
been shown to be potent antagonists of 2 nuclear hormone receptors involved in
cholesterol metabolism, establishing a plausible mechanism of action for the
hypolipidemic effects of these extracts. However, there are currently no
published safety or efficacy data on the use of guggul extracts in Western
populations. To study the short-term safety and efficacy of 2 doses of a
standardized guggul extract (guggulipid, containing 2.5% guggulsterones) in
healthy adults with hyperlipidemia eating a typical Western diet. Double-blind,
randomized, placebo-controlled trial using a parallel design, conducted March
2000-August 2001. A total of 103 ambulatory, community-dwelling, healthy adults
with hypercholesterolemia in the Philadelphia, Pa, metropolitan area. Oral, 3
times daily doses of standard-dose guggul (1000 mg), high-dose guggul (2000 mg),
or matching placebo. Compared with participants randomized to placebo,
in whom levels of LDL-C decreased by 5%, both standard-dose guggul and high-dose
guggul raised levels of LDL-C by 4% and 5%, respectively, at 8 weeks, for a net
positive change of 9% to 10%. There were no significant changes in levels of
total cholesterol, HDL-C, triglycerides, or VLDL-C in response to treatment with
guggul in the intention-to-treat analysis. While guggul was generally well
tolerated, 6 participants treated with guggul developed a hypersensitivity rash
compared with none in the placebo group. Despite plausible mechanisms of action,
guggul did not appear to improve levels of serum cholesterol over the short term
in this population of adults with hypercholesterolemia, and might in fact raise
levels of LDL-C. Guggulipid also appeared to cause a dermatologic
hypersensitivity reaction in some patients.
Diabetes
Antidiabetic effect of a leaf extract from
Gymnema sylvestre in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients.
Postgraduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences
Madras, India
J Ethnopharmacol 1990 Oct;30(3):295-300
The effectiveness of GS4, an extract from the leaves of Gymnema sylvestre, in
controlling hyperglycaemia was investigated in 22 Type 2 diabetic patients on conventional
oral anti-hyperglycaemic agents.
Gymnema
(400 mg/day) was administered for 18-20 months as a
supplement to the conventional oral drugs. During
Gymnema
supplementation, the patients showed
a significant reduction in blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin and glycosylated plasma
proteins, and conventional drug dosage could be decreased. Five of the 22 diabetic
patients were able to discontinue their conventional drug and maintain their blood glucose
homeostasis with
Gymnema
alone. These data suggest that the beta cells may be
regenerated/repaired in Type 2 diabetic patients on
Gymnema sylvestre
supplementation. This is supported
by the appearance of raised insulin levels in the serum of patients after
Gymnema sylvestre
supplementation.
Memory
Gugulipid, an extract of Commiphora whighitii with lipid-lowering properties,
has protective effects against streptozotocin-induced memory deficits in mice.
Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2007 April. Division of Pharmacology, Central
Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226001, India.
Gugulipid, an ethyl acetate extract of the resin of plant guggul is an
established hypolipidemic agent in clinical practice. The major constituent of
gugulipid is guggulsterone [4, 17 (20)-pregnadiene-3, 16-dione]. The present
study was planned to explore the potential of gugulipid as cognitive enhancer.
Gugulipid (12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg, p.o.) showed dose dependent improvement in
scopolamine-induced deficits in passive avoidance test. Our observations suggest
gugul as a potential anti-dementia drug.
Prostate cancer
Guggulsterone-induced apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells is caused by
reactive oxygen intermediate dependent activation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase.
Cancer Res. 2007 August. Singh SV, Choi S, Zeng Y, Hahm ER, Xiao D.
Department of Pharmacology and Urology and University of Pittsburgh Cancer
Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Guggulsterone, a constituent of Indian Ayurvedic medicinal plant Commiphora
mukul, causes apoptosis in cancer cells but the sequence of events leading to
cell death is poorly understood. We now show that guggulsterone-induced cell
death in human prostate cancer cells is caused by reactive oxygen intermediate (ROI)-dependent
activation of c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK). The present study reveals that
the guggulsterone-induced cell death in human prostate cancer cells is regulated
by ROI-dependent activation of JNK and guggulsterone inhibits promoter activity
of androgen receptor.
Thyroid gland
Q. I was diagnosed with Hypothyroid, based on symptoms and a TSH of 8.71. All
other scores for T3 and T4 were within the normal range, indicating that the
thyroid was working, albeit under duress. After reading information on guggul, I
began dosing with guggul (for healing) and L tyrosine ( to supply the raw
materials). A month later, my bloodwork was redone. TSH scores were reduced to
4.66. I suspect that if I had continued on the guggul, they would have continued
to fall, but I opted at that point to take Synthriod. Doctor asked me to
discontinue guggul, claiming the guggul had produced a "false reading" of 4.66.
Additionally I asked for an antibody test, and discovered Hashimoto's to be the
cause of my thyroiditis.
Q. Specifically what is the action of guggul on the thyroid? Possibilities :
Guggul's anti-inflammatory effects quiets the auto-immune response of
Hashimoto's. This permits the thyroid to heal. The lower TSH levels are the
result of a recovering thyroid producing T4. (good). Guggul simply replaces TSH,
lowering the response of the pituitary, as the thyroid continues to struggle to
produce T4.(not good)
A. We have not seen any good human studies evaluating the role of
guggul supplements and their influence on the thyroid gland. We found studies in
mice which generally indicates that guggul may stimulate T3 production..
Thyroid Stimulating Action of Z Guggulsterone
Obtained from Commiphora mukul.
Planta Med. 1984 February. Department of Kayachikitsa, Institute of Medical
Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005, India.
A ketosteroid has been isolated from the oleo-resin of guggul Commiphora mukul.
The isolated ketosteroid showed a strong thyroid stimulatory action when
administered to albino rats. Its administration brought about an increase in
iodine-uptake by thyroid and enhanced activities of thyroid peroxidase and
protease as well as oxygen consumption by isolated slices of liver and biceps
muscle.
Guggul Commiphora mukul potentially
ameliorates hypothyroidism in female mice.
Phytother Res. 2005 Jan. Thyroid Research Unit, School of Life Sciences, D.
A. University, Khandwa Road, Indore-452017 (M.P.), India.
The efficacy of guggul, the gum resin of Commiphora mukul in regulating
hypothyroidism was evaluated in female mice. In addition to estimating serum
levels of thyroxine and triiodothyronine, hepatic 5' monodeiodinase, hepatic
glucose-6-phospatase and lipid-peroxidation (LPO), the activities of the
anti-oxidative enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), were
investigated. Findings suggest the possible use of guggulu in the amelioration
of hypothyroidism.
guggul supplement.
Summary and review
Guggul appears to be beneficial in those who have metabolic syndrome which
includes high blood lipids, high blood sugar, obesity, and an overall
inflammatory pattern.
Guggul supplement questions
Q. Can a guggul pill be taken together with banaba supplement?
A. We have not seen studies with this combination.
Q. I have noticed improvement from glucosamine and
chondroitin sulfate. Considering that I am already taking glucosamine
chondroitin sulfate, would guggul extract also help with my knee osteoarthritis
problem? I am asking because I saw an article "The effectiveness of Commiphora
mukul guggul for osteoarthritis of the knee: an outcomes study." Are there any
studies related to guggul supplement use in combination with glucosamine
chondroitin sulfate?
A. We are not aware of any studies that have tested guggul
supplement along with glucosamine chondroitin sulfate combinations.
Q. I am currently taking guggul extract several times a
day. This week my doctor put me on methylprednisolone for a cough that I have
not been able to get rid of. The steroids do not seem to be helping. I was
wondering if the guggul would be interfering with the effectiveness of the
steroids? I am also taking Enzymedica Lypo, another dietary supplement. I would
appreciate your input. Should I stop taking these supplements while I am taking
the steroids?
A. Unfortunately we have not seen any studies regarding the
interaction of guggul and prescription steroids.
Q. Can a guggul extract be taken together with arginine supplement? A. We have not seen studies with this combination.
Q. I am taking Abilify and Effexor. Is there any
information regarding guggul supplement with such medications?
A. We have not seen any studies regarding the interactions of
guggul supplement with SSRI drugs or
Abilify, a medication for the treatment of schizophrenia and manic episodes
associated with bipolar disorder.
Q. Is Guggul only to
be used for three to six months? My cholesterol problem is not dietary, and therefore
would require a product that can be taken indefinitely. Can guggul be used for life?
A. A review of medical studies published in the Western scientific literature does not
show any long term studies with guggul done in humans. Therefore, it is difficult to say whether guggul can be used for life.
Q. My doctor
put me on Lipitor which is a cholesterol reducing statin drug. I have a friend
who studies Ayurvedic medicine and she told me about guggul. Can you tell me
more about this herb, can it be combined with statin drugs?
A. In addition to lowering cholesterol, guggul has anti-inflammatory activity. There hasn’t been enough research with
the extracts to determine the side effect profile. The dosage of guggul is about
500 mg twice daily. Most extracts contain 2.5–5% guggulsterones.
Guggul suppliers
I manage BacfoUSA, a division of Bacfo Pharmaceuticals - one of the
worlds largest manufacturer of ayurvedic herbs.
Our manufacturing facility is ranked top 2% in Asia with ISO 9001:2000, HACCP-IS:
15000, cGMP and GMP manufacturing. Below is a pricelist of a few. For a detailed
list of all our products: www.bacfousa.com or www.bacfo.com
The FOB Delhi price list for Gugguls in Bulk (25kg drums) is:
Kaishore Guggul Powder - $20.50 per kg
Gokshuradi Guggul Powder - $20.50 per kg
Triphala Guggul Powder - $20.50 per kg
Yograj Guggul Powder - $19.50 per kg
Punarnawadi Guggul Powder - $$21.50 per kg
Singhnad Guggul Powder - $20.50 per kg
Kanchanar Guggul Powder - $20.50 per kg
Amit Gadhia International Division - USA
901 Bosworth St. Suite C San Francisco, CA 94131
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