GUGGULIPIDS - General Discussion

Guggulipids have been used for centuries in India as part of the Ayurvedic medicine tradition and have been well researched since the 1960’s for lipid disorders. Guggulipids have been shown to lower serum cholesterol and triglycerides as well as lower LDL and raise HDL. Guggulipids have been found to increase bile secretion and decrease cholesterol synthesis.

There have been many studies performed on guggulipids and cholesterol, and the results are outstanding. In most cases, cholesterol levels dropped from 14 to 27 percent in one to three months, while LDL and triglyceride levels dropped from 25 to 35 percent and 22 to 30 percent. Additionally, "good" levels of HDL usually rose by 16 to 20 percent. Overall, guggulipids were found to lower cholesterol levels just as well as prescription drugs, but without any bothersome side effects. In fact, animal studies involving guggulipids found it to be completely non-toxic.

Other studies have shown that the guggulipid is an effective hypolipidemic (lipid lowering) agent. It has also been shown to protect against atheroma formation, as well as regression of the atherosclerosis in vessels previously known to have the plaquing.

While guggulipids is a natural extract, it is very powerful, and should be treated as such. Guggulipid has shown to decrease platelet aggregation and increase fibrinolytic activity in patients with coronary artery disease.

It has also been shown in experiments to stimulate thyroid function. Guggulipids should be used with caution by persons with with hepatic disease, inflamatory bowel disease, and diarrhea.

See: TRI-CHOL