Indian Herb From Guggal Tree Can Reduce Cholesterol
2 May
2002
Scientists
have found that an extract of the guggal tree can help reduce cholesterol.
The extract is called guglipid, and has been used in Ayurvedic medicine
for roughly 3000 years. These findings are published in the current
issue of Science magazine.
Researchers
at the UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas and Baylor College
of Medicine in Houston, found that the extract blocks the body's
Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR). This receptor is important for cholesterol
levels because it triggers the conversion of cholesterol to bile
acids. When this process occurs too rapidly, the body does not get
rid of enough cholesterol, resulting in higher cholesterol levels.
The
extract should be used in conjunction with medical supervision because
it may interact adversely with existing treatments.
Kanu
Patel, a practitioner of Ayurvedic medicine in Leicester, told the
BBC, "There has been clinical data from India for years showing
that guglipid is effective. Scientists in the US are only starting
to look at it now but really we have known this for years." Guglipid
received regulatory approval in India in 1987.
Source
BBC
health news.
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