Guggulsterone is a plant steroid found in the resin of the guggul plant.
Contents
Uses
This tree has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, and Ayurvedic texts dating back to 600 BC recommend it for treating atherosclerosis.
Today guggul gum resin is used for arthritis, lowering high cholesterol, “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis), acne and other skin diseases, and weight loss.
Benefits
Guggulsterones have also been highly successful in keeping both “good” and “bad” body cholesterol under control for improved health and fitness. Your body contains both “good” and “bad” cholesterol. Bad cholesterol is known as low density lipoprotein. When this builds up in the blood, it can cause heart disease, hypertension, heart attack and stroke. Guggul supplements help to decrease this bad cholesterol in the blood to reduce risk of developing these diseases. At the same time, guggul supplements work to balance good cholesterol levels, aka high density lipoprotein, to enhance body functions and improve your overall health.
Triphala guggulu supplements come in capsule form and are sold commercially in the U.S. as herbal remedies. As an herbal supplement, they are not regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), nor are they meant to be used as medical treatments per se. However, triphala guggulu does contain healing properties that are beneficial to the body and the supplement has been successful in combating many common ailments of our day.
Regular intake of Triphala guggulu herbal supplements can help remove body toxins that accumulate around your joints, causing joint pain, muscle pain, arthritis and rheumatism. The same supplements can help reduce inflammation of the joint and eliminate accompanying discomfort and pain. In India, guggul extracts are used to aid digestion and to help the body absorb nutrients from food. The more nutrients your body can absorb from the food you eat, the healthier you will be. In this way, guggul supplements serve to enhance the overall function of your body systems to keep you healthy and strong.
Caution
Guggul is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth appropriately. It has been used safely in clinical trials for up to 24 weeks. Some evidence also suggests that long-term use up to 75 weeks may be safe.
It can cause side effects such as stomach upset, headaches, nausea, vomiting, loose stools, diarrhea, belching, and hiccups. Guggul can also cause allergic reactions such as rash and itching. Guggul can also cause skin rash and itching that is not related to allergy. These adverse reactions are more common with higher doses, such as 6000 mg per day.
Interactions
- Estrogens interacts with GUGGUL
Large amounts of guggul might theoretically increase the side effects of estrogen.Some estrogen pills include conjugated equine estrogens (Premarin), ethinyl estradiol, estradiol, and others.
- Birth control pills (Contraceptive drugs) interacts with GUGGUL
Some birth control pills contain estrogen. Guggul might theoretically increase the side effects of birth control pills.
Some birth control pills include ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (Triphasil), ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone (Ortho-Novum 1/35, Ortho-Novum 7/7/7), and others.
- Diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac) interacts with GUGGUL
Taking guggul can decrease how much diltiazem (Cardizem) that the body absorbs. Taking guggul along with diltiazem (Cardizem) might decrease the effectiveness of diltiazem (Cardizem).
- Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates) interacts with GUGGUL
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver.
Guggul might increase how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking guggul along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can decrease the effectiveness of some medications. Before taking guggul talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver.
Some medications changed by the liver include lovastatin (Mevacor), atorvastatin (Lipitor), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), fexofenadine (Allegra), triazolam (Halcion), and many others.
- Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with GUGGUL
Guggul might slow blood clotting. Taking guggul along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.
Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.
- Propranolol (Inderal) interacts with GUGGUL
Guggul might decrease how much propranolol (Inderal) the body absorbs. Taking guggul along with propranolol (Inderal) might decrease the effectiveness of propranolol (Inderal).
- Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) interacts with GUGGUL
Some types of cancer are affected by hormones in the body. Estrogen-sensitive cancers are cancers that are affected by estrogen levels in the body. Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) is used to help treat and prevent these types of cancer. Guggul could theoretically affect estrogen levels in the body. By affecting estrogen in the body, guggul might decrease the effectiveness of tamoxifen (Nolvadex). Do not take guggul if you are taking tamoxifen (Nolvadex).
- Thyroid hormone interacts with GUGGUL
Guggul might increase thyroid hormone in the body. Taking guggul along with thyroid hormone pills might increase the effects and side effects of thyroid hormones.
Other names
Devadhupa, Balsamodendrum wightii, Balsamodendrum mukul, Commiphora mukul, Commiphora wightii, Gomme Guggul, Gomme-Résine de Guggul, Guggal, Guggul Gum Resin, Guggul Lipids, Guggulipid, Guggulipide, Guggulu, Guggulu Suddha, Guggulsterone, Guggulstérone, Guggulsterones, Guggulstérones, Guglipid, Gugulipid, Gum Guggal, Gum Guggulu, Indian Bdellium, Indian Bdellium-Tree, Koushika, Mukul Myrrh Tree, Palankasha, Yogaraj Guggul Gum Resin
Reference
Source: WebMD, http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-591-guggul.aspx?activeingredientid=591
Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guggulsterone
Examine.com, https://examine.com/supplements/guggul/
Orgonutrition, http://orgonutrition.com/what-you-should-know-about-guggulsterones/