High cholesterol and/or triglyceride problems are

very common in modern society and are known to

increase risk for heart attack, stroke and other

cardiovascular diseases. Individuals should strive to

achieve a fasting blood cholesterol level below 3.9

mmol/L (150 mg/d) and a fasting triglyceride level below

1.13 mmol/L (100 mg/dL) to maximize their protection

against heart attack and stroke. Eating less high fat

animal products and consuming foods high in cholesterol

lowering fiber is most beneficial in this regard (beans,

peas, oats, fruits vegetables, ground flaxseed, psyllium).

In addition, there are two natural agents that have

proven cholesterol and triglyceride lowering effects that

can be used to complement a diet and lifestyle plan

aimed at lowering these two cardiovascular risk factors.

These two natural agents include Gugulipid and

Artichoke Leaf. When taken at the right dosage and

standardized grade these two supplements work

synergistically to lower cholesterol and/or triglyceride to

a significant degree, in persons with elevated blood

levels.

Gugulipid is a natural health product that has been

shown to reduce elevated blood cholesterol and

triglyceride levels, in the prevention of cardiovascular

disease. It has been used for many years for this

purpose in India, where it is has received prescription

drug status, due to its high level of efficacy, as

determined in human clinical trials. Remarkably,

Gugulipid is very safe drug relative to most cholesterollowering

drugs used in modern medicine (especially

when compared to the commonly used statin drugs,

which inhibit the HMG-CoA Reductase enzyme in the

liver, and can lead to liver damage). Gugulipid shows a

similar therapeutic effect to many cholesterol-lowering

drugs without any apparent risk of liver damage.

Gum Guggul or Gugulipid is derived from the mukul

myrrh tree, which is native to India. Upon injury, the tree

exudes a yellowish gum resin known as gum Guggul,

Gugulipid or Guggulu. The extract isolates ketonic

steroid compounds known as guggulsterones have been

shown to be the active constituent that account for its

cholesterol and triglyceride lowering effects.

Gugulipid was granted approval in India for

marketing as a lipid-lowering drug in June 1986. Studies

show that it lowers total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol,

while elevating HDLcholesterol (the good cholesterol)

levels. (Agarwal RC, 1986 and Nityanand S,1989). It

appears that guggulsterones increase the uptake of LDL

cholesterol from the blood by the liver. Studies in

humans demonstrate that guggulsterone can produce a

cholesterol reduction of 14-27%, in 4-12 weeks, and a

22-30% drop in blood triglyceride levels, in patients with

high cholesterol and/or high triglycerides. A striking

feature is its lack of toxicity. Unlike other cholesterol

lowering drugs, the administration of Gugulipid has not

revealed any significant side effects, liver damage or

toxicity, in human or animal studies to date.

Artichoke leaf extract is known to increase bile acid

secretion by the liver, which in turn, increases LDLcholesterol

receptor production in liver cell, clearing

more LDL cholesterol from the blood stream. This results

in a lowering of blood cholesterol. Cholesterol is the

building block of bile acids. Hence, artichoke enhances

the excretion of excess cholesterol (in the form of bile)

from the body via the fecal route. It is though that

cynarin, a compound in artichoke called luteolin may

play a role in reducing cholesterol. There is also

evidence that artichoke extract inhibits cholesterol

synthesis in the liver, to some degree, which also helps

to lower blood cholesterol levels.

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 143

people with high cholesterol, artichoke leaf extract

reduced total cholesterol by 18.5% as compared to 8.6%

in the placebo group; LDL cholesterol dropped by 23%

vs. 6%; and LDL-to-HDL ratios declined by 20% vs. 7%.

(Englisch W et al. 2000). Like Gugulipid Artichoke leaf

extract is not associated with any significant side effects

or toxicity.

To be effective, Gugulipid must be standardized to

yield 50-75 mg of gugglesterones per day (example

1,000 mg dose, standardized to 2.5% guggulsterone

content, taken two to three times per day). Artichoke leaf

extract requires a minimum of 400 mg (standardized to

13-18% caffeoylquinic acids), taken two to three times

per day. Look for products that contain standardized

grades of both Gugulipid and Artichoke Leaf, and

provide the ideal dosage for cholesterol and triglyceride

lowering. The synergistic effect of Gugulipid and

Artichoke Leaf Extract provide a natural and safe means

to help lower cholesterol. This combination can even be

taken safely in conjunction with other cholesterol and

triglyceride-lowering medications, if necessary.