Got Guggul?
Guggul (which rhymes with google) refers to the tree sap resin that comes from the small mukul myrrh tree that grows in India. Myrrh has long been valued for its usefulness in making incense and perfume. Myrrh itself was also given as a present on special occasions. For example, those familiar with the book of Mathew of the Bible know that gold, frankincense and myrrh were the presents given to the baby Jesus
by the three Wise Men. Guggul itself also has a long history of medicinal use where it has figured prominently in Ayurvedic practices to treat a number of conditions. One use of guggul that is fast becoming popular in the US is its application as a possible natural alternative to cholesterol-lowering drugs. Guggul is also sometimes advocated to treat other conditions as well. The major claims for guggul are summarized below. Can Guggul Lower Cholesterol?
The active ingredients in guggul (called guggulsterones) appear to inhibit the manufacture of cholesterol. Guggul may also reduce C-reactive protein levels which is a marker for heart disease. Thus, the theory behind guggul improving cholesterol levels and reducing heart disease risk seems logical. Indeed, guggul has also been used for centuries in India to treat heart disease and several studies have noted that guggul appears effective for this reason. Some
reports have noted that 100 mg of guggulsterones used over the course of several weeks can lower cholesterol and triglycerides by as much as 20%. Interestingly, one recent study conducted in the US found that guggul was not only ineffective at lowering cholesterol but also ironically noted that it might slightly elevate LDL (bad cholesterol). These conflicting results could be due to several problems such as differences in food preferences among test subjects, the overall design of the
research as well as to the inaccuracies between the amount of active ingredients listed on the label of the product and the amount that is actually contained in the supplement. Nevertheless, this one study notwithstanding, most of the research on guggul to date finds that it may be effective. As was mentioned above, guggul's active ingredients are believed to be compounds that are collectively called guggulsterones. Some evidence suggests that the
cholesterol-lowering properties of guggul may in fact be due to the actions of two specific types of guggulsterones, referred to as E and Z. Thus, supplements may be standardized according to the concentration of E and Z guggulsterones they contain. It should be remembered that like all natural products, guggul is in fact composed of many different elements and the E and Z guggulsterones may rely on these other elements to function properly. Supplements may also be standardized according to
the percent of total guggulsterones they contain (without regard to E or Z forms). Those who wish to try guggul are encouraged to have their cholesterol levels checked before and after starting this supplement to see how it is working. After this information is known, you and your doctor can make an informed decision as to whether guggul is right for you. The Skinny on Guggul and Weight Loss A few studies suggests that
guggul stimulates the elevation of thyroid hormone, which helps regulate metabolism. Metabolism can be thought of as the speed that we burn calories. So, the question is, could elevations in thyroid hormone brought about by guggul supplementation lead to weight loss? This is an interesting theory, but one that for the moment has limited evidence. For example, it is not known how guggul stacks up against diet and exercise to achieve weight loss. In other words, is it better, worse or the same?
This, combined with the lack of good evidence in humans probably makes guggul a crapshoot at this point. People considering trying guggul to improve their existing thyroid problems should check with their doctor first because it is speculated that guggul may interact with medications used to treat hypothyroidism. Side Effects Guggul has been used for centuries by Ayurvedic physicians and is usually not reported to have
serious side effects in healthy people. While not often mentioned on many websites that sell guggul, you should know that there is speculation that guggul might interact with a variety of medications including some used to treat cancer and high blood pressure. In addition, guggul may interact with drugs used by those with an under-active thyroid. Guggul's drug interactions have not yet been well studied but preliminary research hints that it might interact with a number of medications.
About the author: Joe Cannon, MS, CSCS, is an exercise physiologist, personal trainer, writer and health educator. He is the author of Nutritional Supplements: What Works and Why. A Comprehensive Review from A to Zinc and Nutrition Essentials, a Guidebook for the Fitness Professional. For more information visit his official website www.Joe-Cannon.com or drop Joe an email directly at JoeCannon@rcn.com | 
