How Guggul Can Affect Thyroid Function

Have you ever heard of guggul? It has been around for over 600 years, improving human health conditions including thyroid diseases.
RELATED: 13 Ashwagandha Benefits For Your Thyroid Health [INFOGRAPHIC]
In this article:

1. The Brief
2. What Is Guggul?
3. What Is Guggulsterone?
4. Top Guggul Benefits for Thyroid Function
5. Guggul and Ashwagandha
6. How Guggul Benefits Overall Health
7. Potential Guggul Side Effects & Precautions
8. The Thyroid Support System Supplement from Dr. Seeds Contains Guggulsterone

Guggul: Another Miracle Herb for the Thyroid Gland

The Brief

Over 27 million Americans suffer from thyroid conditions, and an estimated 13 million of these cases are undiagnosed. Signs of thyroid problems may include unexplained weight loss, hair loss, brain fog, fatigue, depression, and low libido.
Doctors often dismiss these seemingly vague and unrelated symptoms as signs of aging. But, feeling “run down” or “not quite right” could be a sign of suboptimal thyroid function.
Medications and surgery are available to treat thyroid conditions. Taking herbs and dietary supplements, such as guggul, may also help improve thyroid function.

What Is Guggul?

Guggul is a yellow-colored resin that comes from the small and thorny Commiphora mukul tree. This is the same plant that produces myrrh, the resin mentioned in the Bible.
People in the Middle East have used the guggul herb to treat health problems since at least 600 BCE, meaning it has over 2,600 years of clinical history.

What Is Guggulsterone?

Guggul extract is comprised of several chemical components, including one called guggulsterone. This is largely responsible for the biological activity of the guggul herb.
The guggulsterone supplement is available in several forms, including capsules, tablets, powder, and liquid extract. The recommended dosage and form may vary depending on the patient’s condition and age.

Top Guggul Benefits for Thyroid Function

Every cell in the body depends on thyroid hormones to regulate their metabolic rate.
In a healthy thyroid gland, about 20 percent of the hormones produced are T3, and 80 percent are T4. Then, the peripheral tissues convert T4 to T3. This is a vital function because T3 is about four times stronger than T4.
People with poor thyroid function don’t have enough T3.
Guggul lipid regulates thyroid function by first increasing the T4 output of the thyroid gland. Then, it increases the activity of specific enzymes called 5’-deiodinase that promotes the conversion of the T4 hormone into its more potent T3 form.
These functions are the key to combating many symptoms of hypothyroidism.
Though research and study still need to prove its effectiveness, guggul is also taken by people to manage the following health conditions:

• rheumatoid arthritis
• osteoarthritis
• acne
• obesity
• hemorrhoids

RELATED: Surviving The Summer With Hypothyroidism

Guggul and Ashwagandha

Based on the Ayurvedic system (or the Indian medicinal system which has been around for 5,000 years), guggul treatment is best applied together with ashwagandha.
Hand in hand, they can help support lipid levels in the liver where thyroid hormones are processed. They can also boost thyroid activity, helping manage hypothyroidism and its symptoms.

How Guggul Benefits Overall Health

The guggul supplement has been shown to treat the following health problems:
Low metabolism
Guggul contains ketosteroid molecules, which possess strong thyroid-stimulating properties.
In one study, rats who received guggul supplements experienced increased iodine uptake by the thyroid gland. The activity level of vital thyroid enzymes also improved.
As a result, the animals’ oxygen consumption rate elevated, which indicates an increased metabolism.
High cholesterol
Suboptimal thyroid function can cause “bad” LDL cholesterol to increase and “good” HDL cholesterol to decrease. Guggul extract has been shown to lower bad cholesterol and other blood lipids, both by supporting a healthy thyroid and directly affecting cholesterol levels in the bloodstream.
Obesity and diabetes
Studies show that guggul supports normal blood sugar levels and healthy body weight. This is largely thanks to the increased conversion rate of T4 to T3, which increases metabolism and burns fat.
Inflammation and arthritis
In animal studies, guggul has demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects about equal to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen.
Heart conditions
Guggul improves platelet adhesiveness in patients with coronary heart disease.
What is platelet adhesiveness?
This is the ability of blood platelets to stick together or with other structures to maintain homeostasis.
Tumors
Lab studies show promising results for guggul’s ability to slow or stop tumor growth in organs with high blood supply like the thyroid gland.

Potential Guggul Side Effects & Precautions

As with any medication or vitamin, guggul thyroid supplements have potential side effects. These may include:

• headaches
• allergic skin rashes
• loose stools
• mild nausea
• vomiting
• burping
• hiccups

Guggulsterone may also interact with thyroid medications and anticoagulants. It is not recommended for anyone with severe kidney or liver disease.
Patients should consult with their doctor before taking any new supplement. This is an important step in deciding which form of the guggul herb to take.
Doctors can also adjust the dosage, assess potential side effects, and determine if the supplement increases any health risks.
Patients should not take guggul while pregnant, breastfeeding, or receiving hormone replacement therapy. Take extra caution when receiving treatment for hormone-sensitive cancer or thyroid disease.
Also, do not take guggul extract with other herbs, supplements, or medications that thin the blood, including aspirin, NSAIDs, ginger, garlic, turmeric, or ginkgo biloba.

The Thyroid Support System Supplement from Dr. Seeds Contains Guggulsterone

People who suffer from symptoms of poor thyroid function may find relief from taking guggul supplements. Dr. Seeds’ Thyroid Support System offers guggulsterone thyroid benefits for those seeking improved thyroid function and a boosted metabolism.
We offer a 100 percent money-back guarantee on every customer’s first bottle, so there is no risk to try it out today.
 
While guggul, guggulsterone, and guggul supplements have been proving themselves effective for years, it is still advised to consult a health professional prior to taking them since the herb still poses side effects and drug interactions like any other treatment option out there. Always keep in mind that any medication or supplement needs to be backed up by a complementing diet and lifestyle.
Have you taken guggulsterone supplements for your thyroid condition? How have they affected your thyroid and overall health? Let’s talk about your reviews and opinions in the comments section below.
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