Ultra Guggulow
90 Tablets
Excipients: microcrystalline
cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, silicon dioxide, stearic acid,
magnesium stearate
Suggested Use: 2 to 3 tablets daily, taken
with food. Begin by taking 1 per day for the first seven days,
followed by 2 per day for the next seven days, then increase to
full desired intake.
Ingredients
Gugulipid®
Gugulipid® is the leading extract of
gum guggul resin. Gum guggul is harvested from Commiphora mukul,
a shrub-like tree indigenous to arid regions of northern
India.
Gum Guggul
Gum guggul is related to myrrh gum and
also to Boswellia serrata, another resinous herb prominent in
the Ayurvedic materia medica. Gum guggul, often referred to
simply as “guggul,” has been used in the Ayurvedic herbal
tradition since at least 600 B.C. The herb is mentioned in the
Vedas, the Holy Scriptures of India, which are estimated to date
back anywhere from 3,000 to 10,000 years.1
Modern investigation
into gum guggul began in 1964, with a series of tests conducted
by G.V. Satyavati.2 The inspiration for this research is a
Ayurvedic treatise written in Sanskrit that describes in detail
a condition called “coating and obstruction of channels.”
Impressed by the apparent analogy to the cardiovascular system,
Satyavati and others initiated a series of tests to determine if
gum guggul, which was mentioned in the treatise, would have any
effect on blood lipid levels. This set the stage for an
extensive series of studies on gum guggul’s pharmacology and
clinical effects.
Guggulsterones
Systematic analysis of gum
guggul resin carried out by Indian researchers in the 1980s
identified the active ingredients as a group of lipid-based
compounds called guggulsterols and guggulsterones. It was
determined that two members of this group, Z-guggulsterone and
E-guggulsterone, are largely responsible for the herb’s effect
on cholesterol and blood fats.1,3 An extract standardized for
guggulsterone content of gum guggul was then developed by the
CDRI in Lucknow, India. This extract, called “Gugulipid®,” is
now the preferred form of gum guggul for use in clinical
studies.2 Ultra Guggulow contains Gugulipid® standardized to
supply 25 mg of guggulsterones per 1000 mg of
extract.
Bioperine®
Traditional Ayurvedic herbal formulas
often include black pepper and long pepper as synergistic herbs.
The active ingredient in both black pepper and long pepper is
piperine, an alkaloid. Experiments carried out to evaluate the
scientific basis for the use of peppers have shown that piperine
significantly enhances bioavailability when consumed with other
substances.4
Bioperine® contains 95% piperine extracted from
the fruits of black pepper. Several double-blind clinical
studies have confirmed that Bioperine® increases absorption of
nutrients.5
Benefits
Helps Maintain Normal Healthy
Cholesterol Levels*
The research of gum guggul over the last 30
years has produced a wealth of evidence establishing this herb’s
beneficial effect on cholesterol and blood fats. The preliminary
studies carried out by Satyavati and her colleagues were done on
rabbits fed hydrogenated vegetable oil to artificially elevate
cholesterol levels. In contrast to non-treated test subjects,
rabbits given gum guggul had normal cholesterol and blood lipid
levels and healthy blood vessels.2
A number of multicentric
clinical trials have tested the efficacy of Gugulipid® for
maintaining normal cholesterol.6 The CDRI has conducted Phase 1
trials to establish the safety of the extract. Gugulipid® has
been found safe and free of unwanted effects on blood chemistry,
liver function and the heart.7 Phase II trials confirmed
Gugulipid®’s effectiveness in normalizing total cholesterol,
LDL, HDL and triglycerides.7,8
SOD-Protecting, Antioxidant
Action*
In an animal study carried out by the CDRI,
guggulsterones reversed the decrease in SOD (superoxide
dismutase) activity that results from reduced blood flow to the
heart.9 The researchers reported that “SOD was significantly
protected by guggulsterone.”9 Increases in lipid peroxides
(free-radical byproducts) and xanthine oxidase, an enzyme that
produces oxygen free radicals, were also reversed. Although
preliminary, these findings lend additional support to the use
of Gugulipid® for sustaining cardiovascular health.
*This
statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug
Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat,
cure or prevent any disease.
Scientific Abstracts and
References
1. Satyavati, G., “Gugulipid®: a promising
hypolipidaemic agent from gum guggul (Commiphora wightii).”
Economic and Medicinal Plant Research 1991;5:47-82.
2.
Satyavati, G., “Gum guggul (Commiphora mukul) — The success
story of an ancient insight leading to a modern discovery.”
Indian J. Med. Res. 1988;87:327-335.
3. Dev, S., “A modern
look at an age-old Ayurvedic drug-guggulu.” Science Age 1987;
July:13-18.
4. Atal, C.K., Zutshi, U., Rao, P.G., “Scientific
evidence on the role of Ayurvedic herbals on bioavailability of
drugs.” J. of Ethnopharmacology 1981;4:229-32.
5. “Bioperine
— Nature’s Bioavailability-Enhancing Thermonutrient. Executive
Summary.” 1996; Sabinsa Corporation, Piscataway, N.J.
6.
Nityanand, S., Srivastava, J.S., Asthana, O.P., “Clinical trials
with Gugulipid®.” J. Ass. Physicians of India 1989;
37(5):323-28.
7. Agarwal, R.C. et. al., “Clinical trial of
Gugulipid® — a new hypolipidemic agent of plant origin in
primary hyperlipidemia.” Indian J. Med. Res.
1986;84:626-34.
8. “Gugulipid®,” Drugs of the Future
1988;13(7):618-619.
9. Kaul, S., Kapoo, N.K., “Reversal of
changes of lipid peroxide, xanthine oxidase and superoxide
dismutase by cardio-protective drugs in isoproterenol induced
myocardial necrosis in rats.” Ind J. Exp. Biol. 1989; 27:625-27.
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