Supplement Facts:

Serving size: 1 Vegi cap
Servings per container: 60
Each 250 mg capsule contains: Guggul Extract 7:1

Dosage: To keep your blood cholesterol level under control, take one to two Shuddha Guggulu capsule, twice a day, after meals or as directed by the physician. Shuddha Guggulu capsule do not contain synthetic colors and common allergens such as gluten, wheat, corn, yeast and dairy products. The herbal supplement is safe for long-term use. It is not addictive.

Morpheme Shuddha Guggulu is the highest quality, most potent and most effective form of Guggul Extract available in Vegetable capsules. Free from Colour, Yeast, Gluten, Wheat, Corn and Dairy Products. Global leader in scientifically validated herbal supplements

High cholesterol level should not be ignored. Although you might not experience any symptom of elevated cholesterol level, excess cholesterol circulating in your blood would gradually damage your cardiovascular system. According to the World Health Organization data, almost half of all heart attack cases are attributable to high cholesterol.

Fortunately, heart diseases developing from high cholesterol level could be prevented. Medications and herbal supplements could help to normalize the cholesterol level. However, not all types of cholesterol are bad for the heart. While the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) clogs the blood vessels, leading to atherosclerosis, the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol helps to drive out the bad cholesterol from the body. Hence, to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, the right balance between HDL and LDL should be maintained.

Atherosclerosis might be prevented by keeping the LDL or bad cholesterol level under 100mg/dL. However, if you are already suffering from heart malfunction owing to atherosclerosis, to arrest progression of plaque build up in the coronary arteries, you should try to keep your LDL level below 70mg/dL. To maintain the healthy serum cholesterol balance, the HDL or good cholesterol level should not be less than 60mg/dL.

Your serum triglyceride level is as important as your LDL and HDL levels. To improve your overall lipid profile, your triglyceride level should remain below 150mg/dL.

Commiphora mukul or the guggul plant grows in the arid and semi arid regions of northern India. The resinous gum extracted from the guggul plant is recommended in Ayurveda for controlling lipid disorders and obesity. Guggulsterone is the main active component in guggulu. It is a plant sterol. Plant sterols and cholesterols have similar molecular structures. They could lower your elevated lipoproteins naturally without drug intervention.

Helps to reduce cholesterol:
In traditional Indian medicine, Guggul or Commiphora mukul is widely used for managing obesity and elevated cholesterol level. In laboratory studies, intake of Commiphora mukul is associated with lower levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. This herb might even prevent rise in the harmful lipids levels following an unhealthy diet. Hence, Guggulu might be beneficial for people with atheroscletosis. (Lata S, Saxena KK, Bhasin V, Saxena RS, Kumar A, Srivastava VK. “Beneficial effects of Allium sativum, Allium cepa and Commiphora mukul on experimental hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis – a comparative evaluation.” J Postgrad Med. 1991 Jul;37(3):132-5).

Studies have revealed that the active lipid lowering phytochemicals in guggul might prevent obesity and rise in the cholesterol level by restoring the normal activities of enzymes associated with lipid metabolism and by aiding excretion of cholesterol after consuming a cholesterol rich diet. (Sheela CG, Augusti KT. “Effects of S-allyl cysteine sulfoxide isolated from Allium satvium Linn and guglipid on some enzymes and fecal excretion of bile acids and sterols in cholesterol fed rats.” Indian J Exp Biol. 1995 Oct;33(10):749-51).

Reduces risk of atherosclerosis in diabetics:
Guggul is suitable for diabetics who have a higher risk of developing coronary artery disease than the general population. Therapy with the gum resin extracted from Commiphora mukul helps to improve the lipid profile and reduce the risk of plaque build up in the arteries. It also boosts the antioxidant level and might improve glucose metabolism. (Bellamkonda R, Rasineni K, Singareddy SR, Kasetti RB, Pasurla R, Chippada AR, Desireddy S. “Antihyperglycemic andantioxidant activities of alcoholic extract of Commiphora mukul gum resin in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.” Pathophysiology. 2011 Sep;18(4):255-61).

Helps to prevent heart diseases:
Experimental studies indicate that Commiphora mukul extract could significantly improve cardiac function and reduce the risk of heart attack. Guggul could be taken to support to reduce rapid heart rate, improve functioning of the heart muscles and to normalize the pressure level. It is beneficial for people diagnosed with ischemia. (Ojha SK, Nandave M, Arora S, Mehra RD, Joshi S, Narang R, Arya DS. “Effect of Commiphora mukul extract on cardiac dysfunction and ventricular function in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infaraction.” Indian J exp Biol. 2008 Sep;46(9):646-52). Recent studies indicate that chronic low-grade inflammation increases the risk of heart diseases. Experimental studies have revealed the anti-inflammatory effect of the active compounds present in guggulu. They could inhibit the activities of enzymes that stimulate inflammation. Moreover, guggulu also acts as an antioxidant, protecting the cardiovascular system from the harmful activities of free radicals. (Francis JA, Raja SN, Nair MG. “Bioactive terpenoids and guggulusteroids from Commiphora mukul gum resin of potential anti-inflammatory interest.” Chem Biodivers. 2004 Nov;1(11):1842-53).

The cholesterol level usually increases with age. It tends to rise in the middle age. However, further rise in the cholesterol level usually stops after 65. In women, menopause is associated with higher total cholesterol level. Frequently, higher cholesterol level or hypercholesterolemia tends to run in families.

An unhealthy lifestyle is linked to high cholesterol and cardiovascular diseases. Obesity affects the cholesterol level. Overweight or obese people usually have excess LDL and less HDL. A sedentary lifestyle might worsen the HDL and LDL ratio and increase the triglycerides level. Heavy drinking boosts the LDL, total cholesterol level and triglycerides level.

Instead of drug therapies, nutritional supplements, including plant sterols, and exercise could effectively control the cholesterol level in people who have a moderate risk of developing coronary artery disease.

Reducing the proportion of fats in your daily diet might prevent your LDL cholesterol level from reaching abnormal heights. Your total daily fat intake should be below 30 percent of your daily calorie requirement. The saturated fat content in your daily diet should not be more than 10 percent of your regular calorie intake. The proportion of saturated fats such as high fat dairy and red meat should comprise less than 7 percent of your daily calorie intake. Consume less than 200 grams of cholesterol rich foods such as egg yolk, butter and organ meat per day.

To boost the HDL level, add monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats to your diet. Monounsaturated fats should meet around 10 to 15 percent of your daily calorie requirement. Vegetable oil such as sunflower, sufflower, olive, canola, soybean, mustard, and corn oil, nuts such as almond, hazelnut, macadamia, pecan and peanut, vegetables such as avocado and olive are the richest sources of monounsaturated fats.

Ten percent of your daily calorie requirement should be satisfied by polyunsaturated fats. These healthy fats are present in canola oil, soybeans, sesame seeds, nuts and fish.

Reducing consumption of simple sugar and increasing monounsaturated fats intake is beneficial for people with high triglyceride levels. Approximately 55 percent of your daily calorie requirement should be met through carbohydrates. Although carbohydrate is the main fuel source of the body, a carbohydrate rich diet, higher than the recommended amount, could push up your triglycerides level and increase your body weight. Limit consumption of simple sugar. Replace the simple carbohydrates and the added sugar in your diet with complex carbohydrates present in whole grains. Whole grains, fruits and vegetables would supply your body dietary fibers. By binding with the fats in the intestine, dietary fibers help to eliminate the harmful lipids from the body through the feces.

Studies have demonstrated that regular aerobic exercise causes moderate increase in the HDL cholesterol level. At least 120 minutes of aerobic exercises should be done each week to improve the healthy cholesterol content in the blood. (Kodama S, Tanaka S, Saito K, Shu M, Sone Y, Onitake F, Suzuki E, Shimano H, Yamamoto S, Kondo K, Ohashi Y, Yamada N, Sone H. “Arch Intern Med. 2007 May 28;167(10):999-1008).

Combining intake of plant sterol supplement with workouts helps to improve the lipid profiles by decreasing the total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides levels. Lifestyle therapies are cost effective method of controlling hypercholesterolemia. They are especially suitable for people whose cholesterol level is just above the normal range. Up to 25 percent reduction in the LDL cholesterol level might be achieved with lifestyle therapies. ( Varady KA, Jones PJ. “Combination diet and exercise interventions for the treatment of dyslipidemia: an effective preliminary strategy to lower cholesterol levels?” J Nutr. 2005 Aug;135(8):1829-35). Besides normalizing the lipid profile, lifestyle therapies might significantly improve the health of the cardiovascular system by reducing the blood pressure level, improving glucose tolerance and maintaining a normal body weight.

One 12-week study demonstrated that 1500 milligrams of guggulipid had average reduction in serum cholesterol of nearly 22%, while triglycerides were reduced about 25% in people who took it regularly. Another study showed that guggulipid works best for people who have high cholesterol reading of the type IIb (increased LDL, VLDL, and triglycerides) and type IV (increased VLDL and triglycerides). A third study involving 233 people with elevated cholesterol or triglycerides levels (or both) showed that guggulipid worked better than the cholesterol-lowering drug Clofibrate. People taking guggul had the added benefit of seeing some improvements in HDL, the “good cholesterol” - an effect that was not in evidence with the pharmaceutical.

No one knows exactly how the Indian herb guggul (Commiphora mukul) works, but it may bind to cholesterol in your gut so that you eliminate it before it enters your bloodstream, Winston says. Researchers have studied guggul for 30 years and one 1994 study stands out. Published in Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy, it found that guggul reduced serum cholesterol by about 18 per, cent, LDL ("bad") cholesterol by 13 percent, and triglycerides by 12 percent.

Recently, the results of a clinical study conducted at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). This study showed that guggulipid administered alone over a 8-week period to a group of 103 participants eating a typical Western diet "did not appear to improve levels of serum cholesterol over the short term in this population of adults with hypercholesterolemia, and might in fact raise levels of LDL-C." The results went on to state that, "Guggulipid also appeared to cause a dermatologic hypersensitivity reaction in some patients."

Widely used in Ayurveda, the plant gum exudate of guggul (Commiphora mukul) grows abundantly in the arid, rocky areas of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Assam in India, and in Bangladesh. The freshly collected gum resin is pale yellow, brown or dull green in color; aged resin is dark brown in color. Guggulu has pungent, bitter, astringent, and sweet tastes; its qualities are viscous, light, penetrating, and drying. Its actions are antiseptic, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, uterotonic, alternative, stomachic, and sedative.

Guggul has traditionally been used in the treatment of various conditions and disorders including rheumatism, neurological disorders, obesity and related disorders, syphilis, bronchitis, catarrh, gingivitis, inflammation, pyorrhea, sores, tonsillitis, hysteria, mania, skin and urinary disorders

When administering guggulu in accordance with the principles of Ayurvedic medicine, the following points must be considered:

1. Guggul resin is produced more abundantly and is stronger in potency during the season of autumn; hence, Ayurveda states that guggul resin must be collected in autumn.

2. Different selections of guggul resin have different therapeutic actions based on the age of the guggulu. Freshly collected guggulu has a Brumhana (weight increasing) quality, where as Purana guggul (guggul which is at least one year old) has an Atilekhana (weight reducing) quality.

3. Guggul has to be purified in cow's milk in order to remove toxic substances and render the guggulu easily absorbable. Ayurveda specifies Shodhana (purification) as one of the important procedures before oral administration of guggul. To purify guggul in this manner, it should be wrapped in a sack of cotton cloth and dipped in simmering cow's milk, which must be continuously stirred until all the pure substance of the guggul is absorbed into the milk. When this process is complete, the milk containing the pure guggul gum resin will be solidified and the cotton sack containing the impurities or toxins of the guggulu is to be discarded.

4. Classical Ayurvedic texts never recommend administering guggulu alone; it has to be given along with other herbs in compounds such as Triphala Guggul, Kaishore Guggul, Trayodashanga Guggul, Yogaraja Guggul, Kanchanara Guggul, etc. The administration of guggulu with other herbs has the effect of purging Ama (toxic, morbid substance) from the body.

6. Finally, during the course of using guggulu one should avoid the following: foods that are sour or bitter in taste, alcohol, excessive exercise, physical and mental strain, anger, and exposure to direct sunlight.

In light of the above Ayurvedic principles pertaining to the collection, preparation, and administration of guggul, it would seem that valid scientific study on the Ayurvedic application of guggul would have to take these subtle points into consideration.

When researchers set out to study Ayurvedic herbs or compounds and their efficacy, I humbly request that they work with institutionally qualified Ayurvedic practitioners and integrate the principles of Ayurvedic medicine into the clinical study.

By Dr.Shekhar Annambhotla, BAMS, MD in Ayurveda

1 "Guggulipid for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia: a randomized controlled trial". JAMA, August 13, 2003, 290(6):765-72, Szapary, P.O., et al.

2 "Bhavaprakasa Nighantu." Bhavamisra. Written in 1550 AD.

3 "Dhanvantari Nighantu." Author Unknown. Written between 200-1000 AD.

4 "Madanapala Nighantu." Madanapala. Written in 1374 AD.

5 "Raja Nighantu." Naraharipandita. Written in 1700 AD.

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Supplement Facts:

Serving size: 1 Vegi caps
Servings per container: 60
Each 250 mg capsule contains: Guggul Extract 7:1

Dosage: To improve the function of your gastrointestinal tract and to improve digestion, you can take one to two Sunthi capsules, twice a day, after meals.