Summary
Guggul is a plant which is known for its active ingredients, the guggulsterones. It has been traditionally used for combatting ailments such as high blood lipids, liver dysfunction and obesity.
Its most well marketed effect, that of being able to increase thyroid activity, does not occur with doses commonly found in supplements. It does, however, exert an anti-cholesterolemic effect (lowers blood cholesterol levels) and is also an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant compound.
It is a healthy compound, but not effective for the main means it is marketed for (fat loss).
What are other names for Guggul
- Commiphora mukul
- Commiphora Wightii
- Guggulsterones
- pregna-4
- 17-diene-3
- 16-dione
Dosage information
A standard dose of guggul (plant extract) is 400-500mg taken thrice daily with meals, totaling 1,200-1,500mg daily (although doses up to 2,000mg have been used before) If using the guggulsterones in isolation, a dose of 25mg taken thrice a day with meals is used.
Sometimes 'gum guggul' is used in doses of 2-4.5g a day (total), and while it is not sure if guggul needs to be consumed with meals it still tends to be recommended out of prudency.
Examine Database: Guggul
Research Breakdown
Examine Database References
- Triglycerides - Szapary PO, Wolfe ML, Bloedon LT, Cucchiara AJ, DerMarderosian AH, Cirigliano MD, Rader DJGuggulipid for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia: a randomized controlled trialJAMA.(2003 Aug 13)
- Triglycerides - Nohr LA, Rasmussen LB, Straand JResin from the mukul myrrh tree, guggul, can it be used for treating hypercholesterolemia? A randomized, controlled studyComplement Ther Med.(2009 Jan)
- Osteoarthritis Symptoms - Singh BB, Mishra LC, Vinjamury SP, Aquilina N, Singh VJ, Shepard NThe effectiveness of Commiphora mukul for osteoarthritis of the knee: an outcomes studyAltern Ther Health Med.(2003 May-Jun)