Guar Gum Plant
Botanical Description & Habitat
Cyamopsis tetragonolobus
Family
Leguminosae
Common Names:
Guar
Guar flour
Jaguar gum
Habitat
Native to India and Pakistan, cultivated in Iran and Turkey
Cultivated in the southern USA since the turn of the century (1900).
Description:
A small annual that bears seed pods.
Medicinal Parts
The gum, or ground endosperm of the seeds
See also:
Guar Gum Supplements
Gums
Historical Properties & Uses
Folklore uses of guar are of relatively recent origin, at least in the West. Guar was not developed as a commercial product until World War II, when it was investigated as a replacement for starch in the paper-making industry. Since then, it has become one of the most often used substances in the food industry, as well as in the carpet, oil and gas industries.
In foods, guar gum has the following actions: adhesive, calorie control agent, emulsifier, encapsulating agent, foam stabilizer, gelling agent, molding, suspending agent, swelling agent, thickening agent, whipping agent, and so forth. Guar is found in ice cream, pet foods, sauces, cheese, whipped cream, etc.
Because it tends to swell when wet, guar gum is used as a bulk laxative and weight reducing aid (appetite suppressant).
Method of Action
Guar is known as a mucilaginous, hydrophilic polysaccharide. When wetted it forms highly viscous colloidal solutions. Which means, when it gets wet it swells up--several hundred times original size.
Guar May have Antidiabetic and Anti-obesity Action
When ingested, guar delays emptying of the stomach, which results in the delayed absorption of carbohydrates in the gut. This is thought to play a role in stabilizing blood sugar levels. It decreases the rate of insulin release and thereby prevents the usual hypoglycemic rebound effect. Twenty-five grams of guar/day in the form of crispbread added to the diet produced a significant reduction in glucose urinary elimination in diabetic patients the next day.
Dietary guar gum decreases both plasma glucose and immunoreactive insulin levels, as well as blood cholesterol levels in just a matter of weeks. Guar may act as an antidiabetic in another way. In obese patients, guar before meals reduces appetite, and so may contribute a weight reduction aspect to an diabetic program. Guar is currently being used in diabetes therapy in orthodox medical circles.
Guar May Help Severe Atherosclerosis
The anti-cholesterol effect of guar has been thought to improve the outlook for atherosclerotic patients, but a recent study from Finland suggests it might be effective in the treatment of severe hypercholesterolemia
Drug Interactions & Precautions
Possible Interactions
Any one of the following drugs may be imperfectly absorbed if guar is being used on a daily basis: tetracycline derivatives, warfarin, oral anticholinergics, phenothiazines, digoxin, isoniazid, and phenytoin.
Certain antipsychotic drugs, such as the phenothiazines, as well as other psychoactive agents which are poorly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, may be even more poorly absorbed if this herb is being used.
Comments
The use of large amounts of this herb on a continuous basis may partially block the digestion, absorption or reabsorption of a wide variety of drugs and fat-soluble vitamins.
The antidiabetic ability of this herb may be decreased by concomitant use of acetazolamide, oral contraceptives, corticosteroids, dextrothyroxine, epinephrine, ethanol, glucagon, guanethideine, and marijuana. Antidiabetic effects of guar gum may be decreased when used in conjunction with phenothiazines, rifampin, thiazide diuretics, and thyroid hormones.
The antidiabetic action of this herb may be enhanced when it is used with allopurinol, anabolic steroids, chloramphenicol, clofibrate, MAOI, fenfluramine, guanethidine, phenylbutazone, probenecid and phenyramidol.
The antidiabetic action of guar may be enhanced when used in conjunction with salicylates, sulfinpyrazone, sulfonamides, and tetracyclines.
The ability of this herb to increase insulin production and secretion may be antagonized by heparin.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
Guar is nontoxic. In fact it is nonabsorbable, passing unchanged through the body. However, on its way through, it can bind with other substances, both good, as in nutrients, and bad, as in wastes, toxins and heavy metals. It can also swell up in the bowels, producing flatulence, and diarrhea can be a problem too. It is especially important when ingesting guar to drink enough water to keep it from absorbing all of the fluid in the gastrointestinal system.
Obstructions occurred in patients exceeding the recommended dosages.
Workers may develop occupational asthma. (Lagier, 1990)
Preparation & Administration
To reduce cholesterol levels
15-30g in capsules daily with plenty of water
In diabetes
60-120g daily with plenty of water
Note: This Herbal Preparation information is a summary of data from books and articles by various authors. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.
References
Briani, G., Bruttomesso, D., et.al. Dieta mediterranea e guar gum; reali vantaggi per il paziente diabetio? Gion. Arterioscl., 3, 187-196, 1985.
Briani, G., Bruttomesso, D., et.al. Guar-enriched pasta and guar gum in the dietary treatment of type II diabetes. Phytotherapy Research, 1(4), 177-179, 1987.
Facts and Comparisons. The Lawrence Review of Natural Products. Oct, 1993.
Forestieri, A.M., E. Galati, A. Trovato, & G. Tumino. Effects of guar and carob gums on glucose, insulin and cholesterol plasma levels in the rat. Phytotherapy Research, 3(1), 1-4, 1989.
Gynther, J. & A. Huhtikangas. Effect of guar gum on the gastric transit time in mice. Plant Medica, 50(1), 116, 1984.
Jenkins, D., A. Leeds, et. al. Decrease in post prandial insulin and glucose concentrations by guar and pectin. Ann. Int. Med., 86, 20, 1977.
Jenkins, D.J.A., A.R. Leeds, et.al. Unabsorbable carbohydrates and diabetes: decreased postprandial hyperglycemia. Lancet, II, 172, 1976.
Jenkins, D.J.A., T.M.S. Wolever, et.al. Diabetic glucose control, lipids, and trace elements on long term guar. British Medical Journal, 280, 1353, 1980.
Jenkins, D.J.A., T.M.S. Wolever, et.al. Guar crispbread in the diabetic diet. British Medical Journal, 1, 744, 1978.
Lagier, F et al., J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 1990, 85:785.
Landin, K et al., Guar gum improves insulin sensitivity, blood lipids, blood pressure and fibrinolysis in men. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 1992, 56:1,061.
Lewis, JH: Esophageal and small bowel obstruction from guar gum-containing "dietpills": analysis of 26 cases reported tot he FDA. Am. J. Gastroenterol. 1992, 87:1,424.
Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Exper. Psych., Brigham Young University. Director of Nebo Institute of Herbal Sciences. Director of Behavior Change Agent Training Institute. Director of Research, Nova Corp.
Nuttall, FQ: Dietary fiber in the management of diabetes. Diabetes, 1993, 42:503.
Tuomilehto, J., et.al. Atherosclerosis, 1989, 76:71.
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