Guggul extract product
Extract of guggul supplement

 Guggul (Commiphora mukul), a resin from the guggul tree, has been used for more than 2,000 years in India to treat a range of disorders. In the 1980s, an extract of the resin--dubbed gugulipid--began to be marketed as a cholesterol-lowering agent. The plant compound's mode of action is quite different from that of cholesterol-lowering statin drugs. This means that it or other compounds that work similarly could potentially be used in combination with statins. Some of guggul's active components, 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.
   However, a study published JAMA in August of 2003, and widely publicized, did not show guggul to have any significant effect on lowering cholesterol levels, which contradicted the results of a dozen or more previous research that had shown guggul to be beneficial in reducing cholesterol. However, when the data were re-analyzed from this latest study, it was discovered that guggul was able to lower fasting blood sugar, blood pressure, insulin levels, and guggul had anti-inflammatory activity, reducing the levels of C-reactive protein.

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.

Guggul extract Supplement Facts:
Guggul extract - 425 mg 
    (gum resin), 6% guggulsterones E & Z

* Guggul daily vValue not established

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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.

Guggul dosage
The dosage of guggulsterones is 25 mg two or three times daily. Most extracts contain 2.5–5% guggulsterones and can be taken daily for 3 to six months.

Does guggul lower cholesterol?
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.

Guggul summary
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 studies
 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 (n = 36), 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.

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.

Guggul and 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.

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