Guar gum: Women lose 9.4 lbs in two months without dieting

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Monday, November 01, 2004 7:17 am Email this article
Women taking 10 grams of the dietary fiber guar gum immediately before lunch and dinner lost 9.4 pounds in two months according to a 1984 study. Subjects: 9 women, 160-242 lbs

The study involved 9 women weighing 160 to 242 lbs who were told not to change their eating habits.

Peak blood sugar levels fell by 10%

Blood sugar following meals decreased by 10 percent.

Total cholesterol was reduced by 9%

Total cholesterol was reduced by 9 percent, from 239 to 220 mg/dl.

“Good” HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were not affected.

Side effects: Flatulence and loose stools

Side effects from the guar gum included increased flatulence and loose stools, however, these side effects tended to improve after 2-3 weeks of use. 

Note: Hydrolyzed guar gum (Benefiber) does NOT cause weight loss

Several years ago a company developed hydrolyzed guar gum, given the name Benefiber, which does not become thick when mixed with water.

They did this for marketing purposes.

Regular guar gum becomes very thick in water after about 30 seconds—too thick to drink—and turns to a gel after a minute or two, so thick that you can turn the glass upside down without and the gel will stay in the glass.

However, this gelling action is how guar gum works.

A recent study tested guar guar and concluded it does not work, however, they used the wrong type of guar gum. They used the hydrolyzed guar gum. The conclusion of the study should not have been that guar gum does not work, it should have been that hydrolyzed guar gum does not work.

Therefore, if you decide to try using guar gum, make sure it is regular guar gum and not the hydrolyzed or paritally hydrolyzed guar gum (Benefiber).

Regular guar gum is also cheaper than hydrolyzed guar gum (Benefiber). Regular guar gum only costs $6-13 per pound (as of Nov 2004).

Where to buy

Frontier Coop sells guar gum powder for $12.90 per pound (item #2196).

Here is their phone number, fax number and mailing address.

Frontier Natural Products Co-op
PO Box 299
3021 78th St.
Norway, IA 52318

1-800-669-3275 phone
1-800-717-4372 fax

Monday - Friday
7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Central Standard Time

There used to be another source on-line selling selling guar gum for about half this price, but they apparently have discontinued carrying it.

One-half tablespoon equals 6 grams; rounded 1/2 tablespoon 9 grams

A level half tablespoon contains approximately 6 grams of guar gum.

A rounded half tablespoon contains approximately 9 grams.

Drink it quickly after mixing with water or juice

How to use guar gum

In order to take guar gum, put a half tablespoon in a dry glass, add a few ounces of water or juice (such as orange juice), stir for a few seconds and drink immediately.

If you get distracted for 15 seconds or more, I would recommend pouring it out and starting over with a new dry glass. (A wet glass will cause guar gum to stick to the bottom of the glass.)

REFERENCE

Krotkiewski M. Effect of guar gum on body-weight, hunger ratings and metabolism in obese subjects. Br J Nutr. 1984 Jul, 52(1):97-105.

Articles on the same subject can be found here:

• Fiber supplements

• Guar gum