Guggul for Thyroid Health

Guggul tree resin may stimulate thyroid function and alleviate hypothyroidism; however, human studies are lacking.

Guggul is a herb that produces a resin with health benefits. Thyroid health supplements frequently use guggul extract because it can help:

• Stimulate thyroid activity. Guggul has been shown to increase thyroid hormone levels and alleviate hypothyroidism in animals.

Overview

Commiphora wightii, better known as guggul, is a small, thorny tree native to North Africa, Central Asia, and northern India. Guggul is valued for its thick, yellowish gum resin called guggulu, which is isolated from the tree by tapping the bark. People use this resin to make incense and perfume.

More importantly, guggul is utilized by India’s traditional Ayurvedic medicine to help with inflammation, obesity, arthritis, sinus issues, and cardiovascular health. In fact, Guggul is so popular as a medicinal herb that it is overharvested and considered critically endangered.

Animal studies have shown that guggul can stimulate the thyroid and even reverse hypothyroidism. Consequently, thyroid supplements frequently include guggul as one of their ingredients.

How Guggul Might Help With Thyroid Health

Guggul contains active compounds called guggulsterones. Similar to other phytosterols, guggulsterones have been shown to have a variety of beneficial effects.

Guggul stimulates the thyroid gland

Guggul seems to work by enhancing the activity of enzymes involved in thyroid hormone production. Most notably, isolated guggulsterone appears to enhance the activity of deiodinase, an enzyme that powers the conversion of inactive thyroid hormone (T4) into its active (T3) form. ¹

Guggul Uses & Benefits for Thyroid Health

Thyroid supplements frequently include guggul as an ingredient because of its thyroid-stimulatory activity. In particular, guggul supplements help relieve hypothyroidism, a condition characterized by low thyroid hormone levels. Although animal studies back this use of guggul, there is currently no human research on the use of guggul for thyroid health.

Research

Animal Research

Rodent studies show that guggul can stimulate the thyroid and reverse hypothyroidism.

Guggul appears to increase thyroid hormone (T3) levels in mice

This animal study looked at the effects of guggul on thyroid function. First, the researchers divided 20 female mice into two groups: one receiving saline (placebo) and one receiving guggul extract (0.2 g  per kg of body weight) daily for 15 days. Next, they measure their thyroid function. Only the guggul group experienced an increase in T3 levels and the ratio of T3:T4.

• The researchers concluded that “…(T3) concentration and T3/T4 ratio were enhanced following the administration of gugulu extract…” ²

Guggul appears to stimulate thyroid function and reverse hypothyroidism in mice

This animal study examined whether guggul can relieve hypothyroidism. The researchers divided 28 female mice into four groups for 30 days: saline control (placebo), Propylthiouracil (PTU, a drug that causes hypothyroidism), PTU for 15 days plus guggul (200 mg/kg) for another 15 days, and guggul for 15 days only. PTU caused hypothyroidism in both groups, but its effects were reversed in the PTU plus guggul group, resulting in a return to normal thyroid hormone levels. In addition, the guggul-only group experienced an increase in T3.

• The researchers concluded that “These findings suggest the possible use of guggulu in the amelioration of hypothyroidism.” ³

Guggulsterone from guggul appears to stimulate thyroid function in rats

This animal study examined the effects guggulsterone on the thyroid. The researchers divided rats into two groups for 6 days: control and guggulsterone (1 mg per 100 g of body weight). The treated group showed enhanced thyroid function as demonstrated by increased thyroid iodine uptake and enzyme activity. In addition, oxygen uptake in the body also increased, a sign of increased metabolism.

• The researchers concluded that “Administration of the isolated ketosteroid to rats led to significant increase in all the thyroid function parameters studied here…” ⁴

Dosage for Thyroid Health

• Due to the lack of human studies, there is no research-backed dose of guggul for thyroid health
• Single-ingredient guggul supplements typically come in 350-750 mg capsules of guggul extract
• Multi-ingredient supplements can contain anywhere from 75-480 mg of guggul extract

Available Forms

• Guggul extract. Also known as oleo gum resin, this extract often contains a standardized percentage of guggulsterones.