Guggulsterones to Boost Your Thyroid – Can They Really Help with Weight Loss?

The thyroid plays an important role in the weight loss process, and is responsible for regulating various hormones that help to boost, or lower, the body's natural metabolic rate. Many people who have a sluggish thyroid have difficulty losing weight because there are not enough thyroid hormones available to regulate the metabolism. As a result, many diet pill manufacturers are packing their pills with thyroid hormones and other substances. But are these over the counter solutions really effective?

A Brief History of Guggul

Guggulsterone is an extract that directly affects the thyroid, and has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. Guggulsterones are actually a derivative of the extract of a shrub found in the India and Pakistan, and many Ayurvedic doctors use guggul to address health conditions such as rheumatism, high triglyceride levels, and even acne. Because the extract has a direct impact on the thyroid, and possibly the metabolism, it has also been used to address obesity and other weight-related health problems.

Guggulsterones and Diet Pills

Many studies outlining the positive effects of guggul extract have been published, and diet pill manufacturers have since added the ingredient to diet pills, metabolic enhancers, and other thermogenic products to encourage weight loss.

Guggul extract can trigger the production of thyroid hormonies in the body. With an increased production of hormones T3 and T4, most people will experience an increased mood and loss of appetite which can be beneficial to many struggling dieters. However, too much guggul in the body can lead to skin rashes, diarrhea, extreme loss of appetite, and even bouts of nausea. The recommended dosage varies by individual, as it may take some time for the body to adjust to purer forms of the extract.

Guggul to Treat Other Health Conditions

In addition to treating obesity, guggulsterone has many anti-inflammatory properties which may help manage pain. People suffering from rheumatoid arthritis may benefit from guggul extract to help relieve chronic pain. The extract's antiseptic properties may also help with treatment of infection, scarring, and skin problems that require an antiobiotic.

Guggul is also considered to be a powerful antioxidant, and may offer other benefits such as detoxifying the body, and improving circulation.

Gugulipid is the form of guggul used in many dieteray supplements and wiehg tloss formulas today, and works especially well when combined with L-Tyrosine.

Bottom Line: As more people turn to diet pills to reach their weight loss goals, hundreds of dieters are turning to herbal supplements and extracts in hopes of a more ‘natural' solution. Guggulsterones do stimulate the thyroid and many diet pills containing E&Z guggulsterones are effective in increasing thyroid hormone production. If you are using natural diet pills to supplement your weight loss program, guggulsterones may help promote a healthy metabolism.

However, most diet pills on the market do not contain a pure form of guggul and the extract may interact with other herbal and synthetic ingredients present in the drug. Consulting with a physician or doctor before taking any type of supplements - even ‘all natural' formulas and derivatives - is recommended.