Ingredient information: Guggul (Commiphora wightii) in food supplements
What is guggul?
Guggul ( Commiphora wightii ) is a tree native to India, rich in guggulsterone. It is traditionally used, in gum form, in Ayurvedic medicine. The uses of guggul resin are varied (health claims pending validation by the EFSA):
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relief from rheumatic pain
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reduction of excessive cholesterol and triglyceride levels
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thyroid regulation
What are the properties of guggul?
The guggul tree produces a viscous, fragrant oleoresin gum (an exudate from the tree's bark) rich in active compounds. It is used in France in dietary supplements.
Due to its use in Ayurveda, Guggul is believed to possess many properties, such as:
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anti-inflammatory properties: inhibition of some of the effects of LPS
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proapoptotic, antiproliferative and anti-metastatic activity
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a capacity to relieve rheumatism
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hypolipidemic properties (reduction of lipids in the blood)
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an aid to intellectual and physical comfort
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hypocholesterolemic properties: that is to say a decrease in cholesterol synthesis (via guggulsterones which are ligands of FXR).
Not all of these properties have solid scientific evidence, some have only been observed in vitro , and some study conclusions are contradictory.
Guggul resin contains numerous compounds to which its various properties are attributed. Among these compounds are:
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polysaccharides
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sterols: such as guggulsterols
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steroids: guggulsterone and dehydroguggulsterone
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di- and monoterpenes
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etc
Scientific, basic, and clinical research is ongoing. Guggul is being studied for its potential effects on chronic conditions such as Alzheimer's, arthritis, cancer, pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel diseases (like Crohn's disease), diabetes, infectious diseases, and certain respiratory conditions. It is also being investigated for its real or suspected effects as a hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, and anti-inflammatory agent.
Biological effects of guggul on thyroid homeostasis, and therefore on the production of thyroid hormones, have been described:
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thyroxine (T4)
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triiodothyronine (T3)
Guggul has a thyroid-stimulating effect. Specifically, it has been observed that guggul improves the absorption and utilization of iodine by the thyroid. Guggul also increases peroxidase activity and reduces hypothyroidism (claims relating to these properties are currently being evaluated by the EFSA).
What are the health claims made about guggul?
There are no validated claims yet for guggul.
However, numerous claims have been filed and are awaiting validation.
Among the claims are those relating to cardiovascular health, maintaining normal serum lipid levels, maintaining mental and nervous system comfort, and maintaining normal thyroid hormone levels. These claims are pending validation by the EFSA under numbers 4017, 4256, 4019, 4025, and 1925.
The legislation allows the use of these claims at the discretion of the manufacturer, who is required to maintain a related scientific file.
What are the contraindications and side effects of guggul?
Precautions related to the consumption of Guggul
Like any active substance, guggul consumption should be moderate, following the recommended dosages. Certain precautions should be taken:
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Long-term consumption of guggul is not recommended without medical advice.
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Consumption by pregnant women is not recommended without medical advice.
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Do not use in case of diarrhea
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May cause digestive problems (diarrhea)
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Consumption should be avoided in people with bleeding disorders
Drug interactions of Guggul
Guggul is likely to interact with:
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anticoagulants
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antifungals
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antihistamines
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sedatives
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cholesterol-lowering and lipid-lowering drugs
Medical advice is therefore recommended in these cases.
The guggul at Phytocea
At Phytocea , due to its properties on thyroid homeostasis, we have incorporated guggul as an ingredient in the Thyro formula. Thyro is a nutraceutical food supplement specifically designed for the thyroid. It is intended to promote healthy thyroid function by providing the essential elements for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, with the aim of preventing certain situations of hypothyroidism (see our article on nutrition and the thyroid ).
Thyro is an ideal food supplement to replenish natural iodine , thanks to kelp , necessary for thyroid function in order to avoid subclinical hypothyroidism.
We have chosen not to directly use the health claims of guggul until they are definitively validated by health authorities.
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