Guar gum: Women taking it to lower cholesterol lost 5.5 lbs in four months

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Monday, November 22, 2004 1:28 pm Email this article
Women taking guar gum to lower cholesterol, lost 5.5 pounds in four months compared to 0.9 pounds for those taking a placebo. 33 women took 5 grams three times per day

In an attempt to lower cholesterol, thirty-three women were given either 15 grams per day of guar gum or placebo.

Comment: I don’t know the dosing schedule for sure, but I assume it was 5 grams three times per day, before breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Not adviced to lose weight

They were also given advice to reduce their intake of fat, sugar, and alcohol, but they were not encouraged to lose weight.

No change in cholesterol, but they lost weight

After four months, their cholesterol levels had not changed, however, the women taking guar gum had lost 5.5 pounds compared to only 0.9 pounds in the women taking the placebo.

Comment: I don’t know how many of these women were overweight.

Other studies showing more weight loss have used 10 grams twice a day

Other guar gum studies have shown more weight loss, however, they used a different dose.

Studies showing more weight loss have used 10 grams of guar gum twice a day compared to an apparent 5 grams three times per day in this study.

Why 10 grams twice a day rather than three times per day? I don’t know

None of the other studies that I have seen have explained why they only gave the 10 grams of guar gum twice a day (20 grams per day) rather than 10 grams three times per day (30 grams per day). I assume that 30 grams per day must cause too many side effects—a strong laxative effect or excess flatulence or perhaps stomach aches.

10 grams twice a day more effective than 5 grams three times per day

Anyway, it appears that 10 grams twice a day is considerably more effective than 5 grams three times a day.

Information about dosing and where to buy

Information about dosing and where to buy can be found here.

REFERENCE

Tuomilehto J, Voutilainen E, Huttunen J, Vinni S, Homan K. Effect of guar gum on body weight and serum lipids in hypercholesterolemic females. Acta Med Scand. 1980, 208(1-2):45-48.

Articles on the same subject can be found here:

• Fiber supplements

• Guar gum