On 8-Mar-2004, "hj" <
[email protected]> wrote:
> from JAMA Vol.290 No. 6, August 13, 2003
>
> "Despite plausible mechanisms of action, guggulipid did
> not appear to improve levels of serum cholesterol over the
> short term in this population of adults with
> hypercholesterolemia, and might in fact raise levels of
> LDL-C. Guggulipid also appeared to cause a dermatologic
> hypersensitivity reaction in some patients."
Interesting study, I'm always glad to see research activity
in well known journals. Not suprisingly this is a small
study of short duration. Most nutritional supplement studies
suffer from relative disinterest in funding compared to
prescription medications. "dermatologic hypersensitivity" is
a minor complication however, and reversible with cessation
of the supplement.
Here is another reference you might like, although it is not
exhaustive by any means. A systematic review of "mono
preparations" with only lipid profiles as the outcome.
However, when taken in combination, supplements can provide
a synergistic effect on lipids, at least it has for some
people in my experience. More often than not, I prefer to
add prescription medication to nutraceuticals if individual
goals are not met. Fortunately, these ingredients appear to
facilitate lower dose prescription medications and augment
their desired effects.
The Journal of Family Practice • June 2003 • Vol. 52, No. 6
Herbs for serum cholesterol reduction: A systematic review
Joanna S. Thompson Coon, PhD, BSc (Hons) and Edzard Ernst,
MD, PhD, FRCP (Edin) Peninsula Medical School, Universities
of Exeter and Plymouth, Exeter, United Kingdom
ABSTRACT
Objectives To systematically review the clinical evidence
for herbal medicinal products in the treatment of
hypercholesterolemia.
Study Design A systematic review of randomized clinical
trials of herbal medicinal products used to lower serum
cholesterol. Systematic literature searches were conducted
in 6 electronic data-bases. The reference lists of all
papers and our files were searched for more relevant
publications. Experts in the field and manufacturers of
identified herbal medicinal products were contacted for
published and unpublished data. No language restrictions
were imposed.
Outcomes Measured All randomized clinical trials of serum
cholesterol reduction, in which mono-preparations of herbal
medicinal products were administered as supplements to human
subjects, were included.
Results Twenty-five randomized clinical trials involving 11
herbal medicinal products were identified. Guggul
(Commiphora mukul), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum),
red yeast rice, and artichoke (Cynara scolymus) have been
most extensively studied and have demonstrated reductions in
total serum cholesterol levels of between10% and 33%. The
methodological quality as assessed by the Jadad score was
less than 3 (maximum, 5) for 13 of the 25 trials.
Conclusions Many herbal medicinal products have potential
hypocholesterolemic activity and encouraging safety
profiles. However, only a limited amount of clinical
research exists to support their efficacy. Further research
is warranted to establish the value of these extracts in the
treatment of hypercholesterolemia.
http://tinyurl.com/2mpo9
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