Using Herbs to Lower Cholesterol
Guggul is a Powerful Herb that Fights High Cholesterol Levels
Oct 28, 2009
In the early 1960s, Indian researchers discovered an ancient Sanskrit medical text that appeared to describe the symptoms and treatment of high cholesterol. The text also described the treatment of these disorders with the plant Commiphora mukal, or guggal, a small, thorny plant distributed throughout India. Guggul and gum guggulu are the names given to a yellowish resin contained in the stem of the tree.
Guggulsterone, an active principle isolated from guggul's gum resin, received regulatory approval in India in 1987 and is used to treat a range of conditions including obesity, lipid disorders, arthritis and artery disease. More recently, it has received approval as a cholesterol-lowering drug. Guggulsterone is believed to exert influence on the production of cholesterol in humans. Nutritional supplements containing extracts of guggul gum have become popular in many Western countries.
Cholesterol-reducing Properties of Guggul
Guggul has been shown to have significant hypolipidemic activity, making it useful for treating cardiac diseases that are associated with serum cholesterol, such as atherosclerosis. Research has verified that guggul reduces blood cholesterol levels in studies involving animals and humans.
When compared with the cholesterol-lowering drugs most commonly prescribed in modern medicine (most notably statin drugs), guggul is extremely safe. Statins, which block cholesterol production by inhibiting the HMG-CoA enzyme, have been shown to cause liver damage in some patients. Guggulipids appear to produce a similar therapeutic effect in the body, without the associated risks.
In addition to protecting against the formation of atherosclerotic plaque, guggulipids also appear to cause the regression of existing plaque. Guggul also has a mild inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation and promotes fibrinolysis - two factors implicated int both stroke and embolic events.
Other Benefits of Guggul
Other benefits of guggul include:
- Guggul has been shown to promote weight loss by enhancing thyroid function.
- Guggul is a natural anti-inflammatory, making it useful for arthritic conditions.
- Guggullipids stimulate the activity of white blood cells in the body, strengthening the immune system.
- Guggullipids help the body eliminate and expel dead tissues, wastes, and toxins.
- Guggullipid has been shown to relieve coughing and lung congestion, soothe mucous membranes and alleviate other respiratory problems.
- Guggullipid may also be used to treat arthritis and reduce inflammation of the joints.
- A small controlled trial compared oral gugulipid against tetracycline for the treatment of acne, and reported equivalent results.
References:
Verma SK, Bordia A1988 Effect of Commiphora mukul (gum guggul) in patients of hyperlipidemia with special reference to HDL-cholesterol. Indian Journal of Medical Research 87:356
Motani HA 1981 The effect of guggul (Commiphora mukul) on lipid profile and coagulation in ischaemic heart disease. PhD thesis, Nagpur University
Singh RB, Niaz MA, Ghosh S.Hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of Commiphora mukul as an adjunct to dietary therapy in patients with hypercholesterolemia.
Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 1994 Aug;8(4):659-64
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