What Is Guggulsterone?
Guggulsterone is a compound derived from the “Gum Guggul” plant that grows in India. Sounds like a joke right?? Nope! The plant is also known as Commiphora Mukul.
Despite the funny name, Guggulsterone is a potent thyroid stimulator that can increase your metabolic rate! This makes Guggulsterones a good option for those looking to lose weight fast and drop bodyfat.
Guggul also has two extra benefits if the above wasn’t already enough! Guggul helps with the users complexion and also has a favorable effect on total cholesterol levels and the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol!
That’s a pretty good CV!
How Do Guggulsterone (s) work?
Unlike other popular thyroid supplements that work on the central nervous system (such as Ephedrine and Caffeine), Guggul works to stimulate the thyroid gland. It does this by naturally stimulating the release of thyroid hormones which will increase your metabolic rate and help you to burn more calories, even at rest! This effect is particularly helpful during a restricted diet where your metabolic rate will be naturally slowed down making it difficult to lose further weight!
Who Would Benefit Most?
Of course, anybody who is looking to lose weight and burn fat as part of a healthy lifestyle can benefit. Furthermore, users who experience side effects with CNS fat loss supplements can benefit from the milder Guggul.
However, the true advantage emerges when you mix Guggulsterone with other CNS stimulating fat loss supplements. This approach allows you to target your fat cells from multiple perspectives. Simultaneously, it speeds up the fat loss process.
Moreover, Guggul has a remarkable impact on skin complexion. Impressively, research has shown it to be more potent than certain antibiotics for treating acne. Couple that with its cholesterol controlling benefits and you have a supplement in Guggul with a huge upside!
What Are The Recommended Dosages?
Dosages of 20-60mgs should be taken around 3 times per day. (But try to find a product with the highest possible % of naturally extracted Guggul – 10% or above is about right)
Side Effects?
If you have good quality Guggul, you’ll experience a rise in body temperature. This is completely normal and lets you know that you have purchased a quality product which is increasing your metabolic rate.
Other than that, Guggulsterone is known as one of the safest fat loss supplements on the market!
Guggulsterone (or Gugglesterone) and its Effects on Humans And Animals
The most common method of dieting is to reduce caloric intake. However, as this will ultimately result in a reduction in metabolic rate. The most likely explanation for the reduction in metabolic rate is a reduction in thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), the thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for maintaining the metabolic rate.
Guggulsterone (or Gugglesterone) is reported to be the active ingredient of Guggulu, a resin product isolated from Commiphora mukul, a plant native to India. Many studies have reported that guggulsterone has hypocholesterolemic activity. However, gugglesterone may also increase thyroid hormone levels.
Guggulsterone: Animal Studies
A study investigating the potential thyroid-stimulating effects of gugglesterone administered gugglesterone (10 mg/kg body weight/day) or a placebo to carbimazole-treated rats. Carbimazole is a hypothyroid agent. Administration of gugglesterone for 6 days restored thyroid function and resulted in a significant elevation in both T3 and T4.
Guggulsterone: Human Studies
Studies investigating the effects of guggulsterone in humans have focused on its hypolipidemic properties. No specific studies have investigated its thyroid-stimulating potential in humans. However, that does not mean that the supplement is worthless. Hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia are common in overweight individuals. Therefore, gugglesterone may provide some benefit to overweight individuals who have high levels of serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Gugglesterone administration has shown effectiveness. Over a span of 4-24 weeks, it’s given at 75 mg-1 g per day. Consequently, serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels lower by 18-30%. Besides, LDL and HDL levels alter as well.
Typically, gugglesterone causes a 12-19% drop in LDL. Simultaneously, HDL sees an approximate 20% rise. However, the exact action mechanism remains unclear. Animal studies provide some clues, though.
According to these studies, gugglesterone boosts LDL binding sites within the liver membrane. Hence, the liver absorbs more LDL. Ultimately, this increased lipoprotein catabolism appears to reduce serum cholesterol.
Guggulsterone: Safety and Toxicity
Of the studies investigating the effect of gugglesterone as a hypolipidemic agent, just one study has included additional tests to determine its safety. The authors reported that gugglesterone administration was completely safe and devoid of any effect on liver, kidney, or cardiovascular function. However, a word of caution is needed. Individuals with hyperlipidemia are often on prescription medications. They should be careful if they plan on taking gugglesterone. Consequently, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare professional first. This ensures the compatibility of gugglesterone with their current medication.
Research suggests that gugglesterone may lead to a diminished effectiveness and even non-responsiveness of certain prescription drugs, such as propranolol or diltiazem. Gugglesterone administration may alter the absorption of these drugs by nearly 35%. As with any drug or even any dietary supplement, if you are taking prescription medications, you should be monitored by your physician.
