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

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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.

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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