Guest guest Posted August 28, 2001 Report Share Posted August 28, 2001 Indian-Malaysian, "veejay_kavi@h..." <veejay_kavi@h...> wrote: This article is from thestar.com.my URL: http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp? file=/2001/8/26/features/rajen2608&sec=features ____________________ ____ Sunday, August 26, 2001 Guggul holds promise By Rajen. M Ancient Sanskrit texts written by physicians of the revered Ayurvedic medical system more than 2,500 years ago, described the condition now known as atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) with a remarkable degree of accuracy. These texts also prescribed a treatment for it – the herb called guggul (commiphora mukul). The earliest references to the therapeutic properties of guggul are listed in Atharva Veda (one of the four well-known scriptures of India), which devoted an entire verse to praising the herb. The English translation of this verse (Kanda 19, Sootra 38) reads: "Disease does not afflict and the curse never affects whom the delicious adour of the healing Guggul penetrates (spreads). The disease also flees away in all directions from him like horses and deer. O Guggul, either born from Sindhu or from the sea. I chant your name of both types for the removal of diseases." The ancient books promised freedom from heart disease for those who consumed "tears" of the bark from this knobbly plant. The discovery of guggul in modern times makes a very interesting narration. In 1966, inspired by ancient Sanskrit text, G.V. Satyavati, a young Indian doctoral candidate at the Banares Hindu University, reported the cholesterol lowering effects of this herb. She based her work on the insights provided by the famous Ayurvedic treatise related to the treatment of obesity and fat disorders with guggul. Intrigued by the similarities between the ancient concept of (obesity and blood fat disorders) and artherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), Satyavati and her advisor carried out laboratory tests. Their early work showed that guggul did indeed bring down cholesterol levels in rabbits. Amazingly, it protected the animals against hardening of the arteries. Other researchers became interested, and a two-year study was done on test subjects fed hydrogenated vegetable oil to artificially elevate their cholesterol levels. Again, the blood fat normalized. In the three decades since that ground breaking work, much has happened. The initial work sparked by Satyavati has entered clinical trials that further confirmed the cholesterol-lowering effects of this herb. In 1986, guggul was approved for sale by the Indian government as a cholesterol-lowering agent following a period of intense investigation by government scientists and independent investigators. Ayurvedic doctors had effectively catalogued more than 600 plants and plant-derived medicines by 600BC. Guggul held a prominent position in their medical journals (Indian Journal of Medical Research, April 1988). After more than 2,500 years of successful use in India, this natural herb – which clinically demonstrates a cholesterol-lowering ability rivalling any natural substance yet found – is now also available in the United States as a supplement, containing the purified and standardised form of the guggul tree resin. A considerable volume of research dating back to the 1960s has clearly validated gum guggul's amazing benefits. According to Dr James Braly from Los Angeles, California, clinicians in the US are now reporting results with their patients, which further substantiate what the studies showed. These results stimulated a number of clinical trials, all of which confirmed the herb's effectiveness. It has been clinically documented to reduce total cholesterol by 15% and bad cholesterol (LDL) by 17%. It can increase good cholesterol (HDL) by 12%. This, in fact, can improve the cardiovascular ratios – making it the only herb documented to improve overall blood lipid profile! One study, after finding that gum guggul lowered not only total cholesterol but also LDL and VLDL – while raising HDL – concluded that it "can serve to be of significant clinical importance." (Indian Journal of Medical Research, April 1988)." It does not stop there. Guggul has been shown in animal models to make the arteries more supple, and even reversing hardening of the arteries! It has also been demonstrated in both animal and human trials to reduce platelet stickiness. Sticky platelets have been strongly implicated in strokes and heart attacks. No wonder, Chapter 19, Verse 38 of the Atharva Veda says, "diseases will also flee away in all directions like horses and deer for he who takes guggul." However, the most wonderful thing is that despite all the good effects, there is no side-effect! This is unlike modern anti- cholesterol medications that have been implicated in cases of muscle weakness, cancers, loss of libido and depression. Total blood cholesterol reduction in the range of 22% to 27% is being achieved with the use of gum guggul alone, irrespective of dietary modifications. This is equal to some modern-day cholesterol lowering drugs. Indeed, guggul is a physician's dream come true: it brings down levels of unwanted LDL and VLDL components which clog the arteries, and at the same time raises the anti-clogging HDL. Guggul also reduces blood triglycerides (Indian Journal of Medical Research, April 1988). Low-fat diets have become popular but unfortunately they usually reduce the beneficial HDL along with total cholesterol. Guggul is a much better alternative to remove all fat from the diet. An artery narrowed by plaque can easily become obstructed by a blood clot. Such an event may precipitate a heart attack if the clot forms in a coronary artery. In the brain, a blood clot can result in a stroke. Platelets (solid particles in the blood) form clots by clumping together. Studies in Europe have shown that guggul decreases platelet stickiness and normalises clotting, while additionally assisting the body in breaking up clots, thus helping prevent strokes as well as heart attacks (Planta Medica, Vol. 37, 1979). The search for answers to explain how guggul works has pointed to the thyroid gland, the body's key metabolic regulator. Underactive thyroids are common. Poor thyroid function and high cholesterol (with low HDL) often go together. Since the thyroid controls overall metabolism, thyroid deficiency can be a major factor in obesity. By perking up a sluggish thyroid, the herb helps the body burn calories more efficiently, thus eliminating the need for drastic caloric reduction, which is usually an unsuccessful and unhealthful weight- loss strategy (Planta Medica, Vol.50, 1984). Gum guggul is an exciting breakthrough, which can help overcome one of the major heart disease risk factors – an imbalanced cholesterol/blood fat profile. Guggul affects blood cholesterol favourably by pushing down total cholesterol, lowering bad cholesterol and pushing up good cholesterol. And it can even reverse the ravages of hardening of the arteries. It works even better with a low-carbohydrate diet. Next: The American Heart Association and HRT <li> Rajen. M is a pharmacist with a doctorate in Holistic Medicine. He may be contacted at 03-79551717 or e-mail: health (AT) po (DOT) jaring.my For previous articles look up <A HREF="http://www.alterni.com">http://www.alterni.com</A> ____________________ ____ thestar.com.my http://thestar.com.my http://biz.thestar.com.my http://classifieds.thestar.com.my http://cards.thestar.com.my http://search.thestar.com.my http://star-motoring.com http://star-space.com 1995-2001 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Star Publications is prohibited. --- End forwarded message --- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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