GuggulGuggul oleoresin (gugulipid) has been used in the Ayurvedic (traditional Indian) system of medicine for centuries. It comes from the myrrh tree, Commiphora mukul and was approved in India in 1986 as a lipid lowering drug. It can decrease bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol. There are a few theories on how it may do this: block the liver from making cholesterol, increase the amount of cholesterol excreted through the GI track, increase the liver's ability to take up cholesterol, or increase thyroid activity which would cause these good cholesterol effects. In rats, guggul can cause the release of thyroid hormone. Increasing this hormone in humans should cause weight loss. Although there is information about its cholesterol effects, this supplement has not been as thoroughly studied for weight loss. One study that only lasted 30 days showed that adding guggul produced about a 5 lb weight loss compared to diet alone. Another gave a 17.4-18 lb weight loss. There are some side effects and certain people should avoid using it. Side effects include: gastrointestinal upset, interference with blood clot formation, and interactions with some medicines. Because of its thyroid properties, it should not be taken by people with thyroid disease or pregnant women. It is important you discuss any weight loss or exercise plan with your doctor. Only you and your physician can decide what is best for you. Some people have certain conditions that prevent them from doing all exercises, and goal body weights may be different for different people. You need to discuss all these things with your physician before starting any weight loss or exercise program. This article was written by John Vickery, MD. References Am Fam Physician. 2004 Nov 1;70(9):1731-8. Lexi-Comp database accessed on 5/1/08. Prim Care Clin Office Pract. 2002 Jun;29(2)279-95. Int J Obes(Lond). 2005 Sep;29(9):1030-8 |