Among the active substances contained within the drug, particular interest is reserved for guggulsterones Z and E which - together with guggulsterols - form part of the soluble fraction of guggul gum, called guggulipide (or gugulipide).
For further information: Commiphora mukul or GuggulGuggulsterones are steroid compounds that are attributed with numerous properties, many of which, however, are not supported by sufficient studies.
In the course of the article in question, we will focus on guggulsterones and their characteristics.
;Furthermore, the guggulsterones are attributed thyroid-stimulating properties thanks to which they should exert an improving effect on the metabolism, assisting the slimming process. As will be seen later, this property, in order to be confirmed with certainty, would require further research and analysis.
The lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiplatelet properties, on the other hand, seem to be confirmed, at least in part, although even in this case further studies would be needed to better understand their potential and effects on human health.
. In most cases, these supplements are presented as products capable of promoting the reduction of cholesterol and fat levels in the blood, as products capable of supporting and improving metabolism - including lipid metabolism - while promoting the weight loss process and / or as products capable of supporting thyroid function. Often, these supplements also contain other plant extracts that should support the different activities attributed to guggulsterones.
The supplements of which do not contain pure guggulsterones, but gum-oleoresin extracts of Commiphora mukul titled and standardized in guggulsterones.
at the level of the liver;Studies have shown that guggulsterones are farnesoid X receptor (FXR) antagonists also known as bile acid receptor (BAR). This receptor represents an important transcriptional regulator for the maintenance of cholesterol and bile acid homeostasis. In these studies it was hypothesized that the ability to reduce cholesterol levels of guggulsterones may be connected to this type of antagonistic activity against FXR .
As for the research conducted on humans, the results are conflicting: while some studies show a decrease in total cholesterol levels and an increase in HDL following the administration of guggulsterones; still others have not shown improvements.
Antioxidant properties
According to some studies conducted in vitro, the antioxidant properties ascribed to guggulsterones could derive from their ability to act as a "radical scavenger", or "scavengers" of free radicals.
Thyroid stimulating and slimming properties
Studies conducted on animals have shown that the administration of guggul gum extract can increase the levels of triiodothyronine (hormone T3 produced by the thyroid) without inducing appreciable changes in the concentrations of thyroxine (hormone T4 produced by the thyroid). While still other studies, always conducted on animals, would have shown how the administration of guggulsterone Z alone can determine an increase in all parameters of the thyroid function, including the production of hormones, from which it would be possible to deduce a possible hyperfunctionality of this gland later on. to the intake of the aforementioned guggulsterone.
Despite these results, it is still difficult to determine the extent of such an effect in humans and the implication it may have on the human organism and, in particular, on metabolism.
Many attribute to guggulsterones slimming properties that would be directly related to the thyroid stimulating action ascribed to these same molecules and the consequent ability to improve metabolism assisting weight loss. However, studies and clinical trials conducted so far are limited and not sufficient to determine the real effectiveness of the use of guggulsterones in this area.
On the other hand, there are several who support the usefulness and promote the use of food supplements based on guggulsterones during the weight loss process. Not everyone agrees with this view and opinions remain conflicting. To all this is added the fact that the results deriving from an "integration of guggulsterones are influenced by numerous variables, such as: the doses administered, the duration of treatment, disorders present in the individual, his characteristics and type of dietary regime adopted. .
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