Gugulipid® (Commiphora mukul extract) Gugulipid® is a standardized extract for Guggulsterones Z & E used for healthy cholesterol maintenance. It is extracted from the sap of the tree Commiphora mukul, which is found in the rough and warm lands of India. In multi centric studies performed on over 300 overweight patients, Gugulipid effectively supported healthy levels of cholesterol, total serum lipids, triglycerides, beta-lipoproteins and HDL levels1. In addition, Gugulipid may also generate energy by increasing metabolic processes. 1. Satyavati, G.V. (1982) G.V. Plants and Traditional Medicine, 5: 47-82.

Lactospore®
Lactospore® is a preparation containing a superior sporulated strain of lactic acid producing bacteria, Lactobacillus sporogenes. It is clinically proven beneficial in the gastro-intestinal tract. It also restores normal intestinal flora and supports healthy cholesterol levels1. These spores, on activation in the environment of the stomach, germinate and proliferate in the intestine, producing lactic acid. The unique advantages of Lactospore® include room temperature stability, compatibility with other ingredients and proven effectiveness. It produces L(+)-lactic acid only. 1. Gandhi, A.B. (1988) The Eastern Pharmacist 41-45.

The recommended dose is the amount of Gugulipid® equivalent to 25 mg of guggulsterones three times a day.

Gugulipid® - Mechanism(s) of Action
The studies on gum guggul indicate that its hypolipidemic activity can be attributed to more than one mechanism.Some of the possible mechanisms include:

1. Inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis, 2. Enhancing the rate of excretion of cholesterol, 3. Promoting rapid degradation of cholesterol, 4. Thyroid stimulation, 5. Alteration of biogenic amines 6. High affinity binding and anion exchange.

The first 3 mechanisms, inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis, enhancing rate of excretion of cholesterol, and promoting rapid degradation of cholesterol, are related in that the end result is the elimination of cholesterol. Cholesterol is an ubiquitous and important compound that is an essential component of mammalian cell membranes. It is a precursor of bile acids, steroid hormones, and vitamin D. Since cholesterol is readily synthesized in most tissues of the human body, it is not a dietary essential.

In normal human adults, the largest amounts of cholesterol are found in the liver (0.3%), skin (0.3%, related to vitamin D formation), brain and nervous tissue (2.0%), intestine (0.2%) and certain endocrine glands (related to steroid hormone biosynthesis, adrenal glands contain approx. 10%). Approximately 50% of the myelin sheath (surrounds and insulates nerves) is cholesterol that is related to proper nerve conduction and normal brain function. It has been estimated that a 71 kg adult male has approximately 75 to 150 g of cholesterol in his body.

Nearly 50% of the cholesterol produced daily is converted to bile acids and secreted as bile salts in bile. Most of it is reabsorbed and reused via enterohepatic circulation. A portion of the cholesterol that remains (approx. 0.5 to 1 g) is used to form the steroid hormones, cell membranes, and vitamin D in the skin. Any excess cholesterol is excreted mainly in the bile and intestinal tract. Also, a small amount is excreted via the skin as desquamated cells, sweat, and sebaceous secretions

In a double blind, crossover study the effects of gugulipid therapy and clofibrate therapy were compared in 125 and 108 patients, respectively. The hypolipidemic effects observed on cholesterol and triglyceride levels were similar for both therapies. HDL cholesterol levels were significantly elevated in 60% of the gugulipid patients. In contrast, significant elevations were not observed in the clofibrate patients. Significant reductions were also observed in the levels of LDL, ratio of LDL/HDL, and TC/HDL. The hypolipidemic effect provided by gugulipid was evident within 4-8 weeks of therapy, and it persisted throughout the treatment. After withdrawal of gugulipid, a sustained lowering of lipids continued for an average time of 20 weeks.

Gugulipid therapy was successful in treating fifty patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) who controlled their diabetes using oral antidiabetic drugs. The patients were given a washout/diet control period for 8 weeks before receiving gugulipid. Fasting blood glucose levels were maintained below 110 mg/dL and glycosylated hemoglobin (GHbA1C) was maintained between 4-8%. Significant reductions were observed in the levels of serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides, and HDL. LDL levels fell, and a significant reduction of the atherosclerosis risk ratio TC/HDL was also observed. The glycemic status of the patients did not become worse, and gugulipid was also shown to be effective in controlling secondary hyperlipidemia in diabetes. Unlike many other drug therapies, gugulipid has no significant or major side effects. Except rare, minor gastrointestinal disturbances, such as fullness and dyspepsia, no other side effects have been reported. In addition, it has no teratogenic, fetotoxic, or carcinogenic effects. Gugulipid® has a long history of use in Ayurveda. The Atharva Veda, one of the four well-known holy scriptures (Vedas) of the Hindus, is the earliest reference to the medicinal and therapeutic properties of guggul. Detailed descriptions regarding the actions, uses, and indications as well as the varieties of guggul have been described in the Ayurvedic treatises, Charaka (1000 B.C.), Sushruta Samhita (600 B.C.), and Vagbhata (7th century A.D.). In addition, various Nighantus (medical lexicons) were written between the 12th and 14th centuries A.D. that were based on the Ayurvedic literature