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Guggul, an extract from a tree resin, has potential lipid-lowering properties that have been studied in previous clinical trials. Guggulipid is marketed in the United States as a dietary supplement intended to lower cholesterol levels, or as part of a combination herbal product for "heart health," weight loss, and arthritis. Szapary and colleagues conducted a randomized clinical trial comparing placebo with usual-dose and high-dose guggulipid to determine the safety of this supplement and its efficacy in reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels.
Trial participants were at least 19 years of age and had primary hypercholesterolemia. Eligibility in the study required participants to have LDL levels of 130 to 200 mg per dL (3.36 to 5.17 mmol per L) and fasting triglyceride levels of less than 400 mg per dL (4.52 mmol...