GUAR GUM
benefits, side effects FEB 2008
Guar gum is a plant seed extract, which may be able to lower the
cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
benefits, side effects FEB 2008
Guar gum is a plant seed extract, which may be able to lower the
cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
GUAR GUM [also known as guar, guar flour, and jaguar gum]
Guar gum can be considered as the ground endosperms of the guar
plant. The plant can be found in Aisa Minor and in Southwest United
States.
COMPOSITION Guar gum is a guar seed extract, containing about 80%
of galactomannan, 10% moisture, 10% protein and trace amounts of
heavy metals and ash. The amount of these impurities depends on the
species, sources and purification process.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES The galactomannan of guar gum consists of
a long linear mannan backbone and side chains of a single galactose
unit. This feature allows guar gum to be soluble and gelling in water.
Guar gum hydrates and swells rapidly in aqueous media to form
viscous dispersions or gels. Consequently, consumption of guar gum
may retard chemicals like cholesterol and triglycerides travel to the
intestine wall for absorption. In fact, guar gum is observed to prevent
cholesterol absorption and it lowers serum LDL cholesterol and
triglycerides and increases glucose tolerance. [1]
FOOD INDUSTRY Because guar gum forms a high viscous solution,
guar gum is used as a thickening agent for various products such as
beverages, soups, cottage cheese and some frozen desserts. [1] Guar
gum is processed into different grades, with respect to viscosity grades
and mesh sizes.
DRUG INDUSTRY 30 years ago, guar gum was mainly used as a
disintegrant and binder in tablet. Today, guar gum is also used as a
controlled-release agent for drug. Guar gum, drug and other
ingredients are mixed and compressed into tablets. During dissolution
studies, guar gum hydrates and forms a thick gel layer on the tablet
surface. Consequently, drug releases out from the guar gum tablet in a
sustained manner, achieving the desired kinetics effect.
It also has been observed that bacterial flora in the large intestine
degrade guar gum rapidly. Consequently, scientists developed
successful delivery systems using guar gum to target drugs to ileum
and large intestine. [12]
HEALTH Some manufacturers promote guar gum as a agent for weight
managment (or weight loss). Theoretically, guar gum decreases
appetite by providing a "feeling of fullness." However, because of its
swelling properties, guar gum may cause obstruction of the
esophagus, if a subject is taking an excessive amount of guar gum.
Guar gum can swell as much as 20 fold. Thus, people should not
exceed the recommended dose of guar gum supplements.
If guar gum can reduce chemical absorption. it probably can also
reduce glucose absorption. Thus, it may cause glucose fluctuations.
People with diabetes should take guar gum preparations under
doctor's instruction. [2] During the fermentation of guar gum in the
large intestine, carbon dioxide, fatty acid and hydrogen are produced
and they will lower the pH of the medium.
Prolonged ingestion of guar gum increased the odd for colorectal
cancer in the studies of rats. [3-8]. One group explained that the
soluble fiber did not raise distal butyrate concentration high enough to
protect the colon from cancer, as butyrate demonstrated to slow the
growth of cancer cells cultured in vitro. [5] However, two other studies
suggested that guar gum was non-carcinogenic. [10,11] More
interesting, researchers found dietary fiber supplementation with 10%
pectin or with 10% guar gum (fed during the promotional stage of
carcinogenesis) suppressed colon cancer incidence in study of rats. [9]
REFERENCES
[1] GuarNT Product Information, Tic Gums web-site, April 13, 2005. [2] Weight Loss:
Over-the-Counter and Herbal Remedies for Weight Loss, WebMD, April 18, 2005[3] Okazaki H et
al, Increased incidence rate of colorectal tumors due to the intake of a soluble dietary fiber in
rat chemical carcinogenesis can be suppressed by substituting partially an insoluble dietary
fiber for the soluble one., Int J Cancer. 2002 Aug 1;100(4):388-94.[4] Sengupta S, Dietary fiber
and colorectal neoplasia, Dis Colon Rectum. 2001 Jul;44(7):1016-33.[5] McIntyre A et al,
Butyrate production from dietary fibre and protection against large bowel cancer in a rat
model, Gut. 1993 Mar;34 (3):386-91.[6] Jacobs LR, Effect of dietary fiber on colonic cell
proliferation and its relationship to colon carcinogenesis, Prev Med. 1987 Jul;16(4):566-71.[7]
Jacobs LR, Relationship between dietary fiber and cancer: metabolic, physiologic, and
cellular mechanisms, Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1986 Dec;183(3):299-310.[8] Jacobs LR, Lupton
JR, Relationship between colonic luminal pH, cell proliferation, and colon carcinogenesis in
1,2-dimethylhydrazine treated rats fed high fiber diets, Cancer Res. 1986 Apr;46(4 Pt
1):1727-34[9] Heitman DW et al, Dietary supplementation with pectin and guar gum on
1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colon carcinogenesis in rats, Carcinogenesis. 1992
May;13(5):815-8.[10] Melnick RL et al, Chronic effects of agar, guar gum, gum arabic,
locust-bean gum, or tara gum in F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice, Food Chem Toxicol. 1983
Jun;21(3):305-11.[11] Bauer HG et al, Effect of two kinds of pectin and guar gum on
1,2-dimethylhydrazine initiation of colon tumors and on fecal beta-glucuronidase activity in
the rat, Cancer Res. 1981 Jun;41(6):2518-23.[12] Friend DR and Wong D, Colonic delivery of
dexamethasone: a pharmacoscintigraphic evaluation, Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1997
Feb;11(1):205-13
HOME
THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. YOU SHOULD CONSULT
YOUR DOCTOR FOR ANY QUESTIONS.
ALL RIGHT RESERVED 2005
Guar gum can be considered as the ground endosperms of the guar
plant. The plant can be found in Aisa Minor and in Southwest United
States.
COMPOSITION Guar gum is a guar seed extract, containing about 80%
of galactomannan, 10% moisture, 10% protein and trace amounts of
heavy metals and ash. The amount of these impurities depends on the
species, sources and purification process.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES The galactomannan of guar gum consists of
a long linear mannan backbone and side chains of a single galactose
unit. This feature allows guar gum to be soluble and gelling in water.
Guar gum hydrates and swells rapidly in aqueous media to form
viscous dispersions or gels. Consequently, consumption of guar gum
may retard chemicals like cholesterol and triglycerides travel to the
intestine wall for absorption. In fact, guar gum is observed to prevent
cholesterol absorption and it lowers serum LDL cholesterol and
triglycerides and increases glucose tolerance. [1]
FOOD INDUSTRY Because guar gum forms a high viscous solution,
guar gum is used as a thickening agent for various products such as
beverages, soups, cottage cheese and some frozen desserts. [1] Guar
gum is processed into different grades, with respect to viscosity grades
and mesh sizes.
DRUG INDUSTRY 30 years ago, guar gum was mainly used as a
disintegrant and binder in tablet. Today, guar gum is also used as a
controlled-release agent for drug. Guar gum, drug and other
ingredients are mixed and compressed into tablets. During dissolution
studies, guar gum hydrates and forms a thick gel layer on the tablet
surface. Consequently, drug releases out from the guar gum tablet in a
sustained manner, achieving the desired kinetics effect.
It also has been observed that bacterial flora in the large intestine
degrade guar gum rapidly. Consequently, scientists developed
successful delivery systems using guar gum to target drugs to ileum
and large intestine. [12]
HEALTH Some manufacturers promote guar gum as a agent for weight
managment (or weight loss). Theoretically, guar gum decreases
appetite by providing a "feeling of fullness." However, because of its
swelling properties, guar gum may cause obstruction of the
esophagus, if a subject is taking an excessive amount of guar gum.
Guar gum can swell as much as 20 fold. Thus, people should not
exceed the recommended dose of guar gum supplements.
If guar gum can reduce chemical absorption. it probably can also
reduce glucose absorption. Thus, it may cause glucose fluctuations.
People with diabetes should take guar gum preparations under
doctor's instruction. [2] During the fermentation of guar gum in the
large intestine, carbon dioxide, fatty acid and hydrogen are produced
and they will lower the pH of the medium.
Prolonged ingestion of guar gum increased the odd for colorectal
cancer in the studies of rats. [3-8]. One group explained that the
soluble fiber did not raise distal butyrate concentration high enough to
protect the colon from cancer, as butyrate demonstrated to slow the
growth of cancer cells cultured in vitro. [5] However, two other studies
suggested that guar gum was non-carcinogenic. [10,11] More
interesting, researchers found dietary fiber supplementation with 10%
pectin or with 10% guar gum (fed during the promotional stage of
carcinogenesis) suppressed colon cancer incidence in study of rats. [9]
REFERENCES
[1] GuarNT Product Information, Tic Gums web-site, April 13, 2005. [2] Weight Loss:
Over-the-Counter and Herbal Remedies for Weight Loss, WebMD, April 18, 2005[3] Okazaki H et
al, Increased incidence rate of colorectal tumors due to the intake of a soluble dietary fiber in
rat chemical carcinogenesis can be suppressed by substituting partially an insoluble dietary
fiber for the soluble one., Int J Cancer. 2002 Aug 1;100(4):388-94.[4] Sengupta S, Dietary fiber
and colorectal neoplasia, Dis Colon Rectum. 2001 Jul;44(7):1016-33.[5] McIntyre A et al,
Butyrate production from dietary fibre and protection against large bowel cancer in a rat
model, Gut. 1993 Mar;34 (3):386-91.[6] Jacobs LR, Effect of dietary fiber on colonic cell
proliferation and its relationship to colon carcinogenesis, Prev Med. 1987 Jul;16(4):566-71.[7]
Jacobs LR, Relationship between dietary fiber and cancer: metabolic, physiologic, and
cellular mechanisms, Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1986 Dec;183(3):299-310.[8] Jacobs LR, Lupton
JR, Relationship between colonic luminal pH, cell proliferation, and colon carcinogenesis in
1,2-dimethylhydrazine treated rats fed high fiber diets, Cancer Res. 1986 Apr;46(4 Pt
1):1727-34[9] Heitman DW et al, Dietary supplementation with pectin and guar gum on
1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colon carcinogenesis in rats, Carcinogenesis. 1992
May;13(5):815-8.[10] Melnick RL et al, Chronic effects of agar, guar gum, gum arabic,
locust-bean gum, or tara gum in F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice, Food Chem Toxicol. 1983
Jun;21(3):305-11.[11] Bauer HG et al, Effect of two kinds of pectin and guar gum on
1,2-dimethylhydrazine initiation of colon tumors and on fecal beta-glucuronidase activity in
the rat, Cancer Res. 1981 Jun;41(6):2518-23.[12] Friend DR and Wong D, Colonic delivery of
dexamethasone: a pharmacoscintigraphic evaluation, Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1997
Feb;11(1):205-13
HOME
THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. YOU SHOULD CONSULT
YOUR DOCTOR FOR ANY QUESTIONS.
ALL RIGHT RESERVED 2005
| How Guar Gum is used in Industry? In industry, guar gum is processed into different viscosity grades. The viscosity of guar gum usually is measured at 25C after 2 h using the Brookfield RVF, spindle #3 at 20 rpms at 25C. For high viscosities, different spindles may be needed. Guar gum is popular in the food products: baking mixes, cereals, cheese, dairy products, gravies, jams, jellies, juices, soup and drinks. |
MAJOR NUTRIENT
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Antioxidants
A-Z Health Foods,
Products
Acetyl-L Carnitine
Acidophilus
Alfalfa
Almond
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Aniseed
Apple
Arnica
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Asparagus
Astaxanthin,
Astragulus
Artichoke
Avena sativa
Avocados
Barley
Banana
Basil
Beet
black cohosh
Bladderwrack
Blackberry
Black Currant
Bloodroot
Blueberry
Bilberry
Bitter Melon
Borage Seed Oil
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Ellagic Acid
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Garlic
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Mango
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Melatonin
Milk Thistle
Mistletoe
N-Acetylcysteine
Nattokinase
Nectarines
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Olive Oil
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Acids
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Orange
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Peony
Pepper
Peppermint
Persimmons
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Phyllanthus
Potato
Plum
Pomegranate
Probiotics
Policosanol /
Polycosanol
Propolis
Pumpkin
Pycnogenol
Pyruvate
Quercetin
Quince
Radish
Red Clover
Red Yeast Rice
Reishi / Lingzhi
Resveratrol
Rhodiola
Rhubarb
Rice Bran Oil
Rosemary
Royal Jelly
Rutin
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methionine
Saffron
Saw Palmetto
Schisandra
Selenium
Spinach
Spirulina
Squash
Stinging Nettle
St John Wort
Strawberry
Sweet Potatoes
Taxifolin
Tea Tree Oil
Turmeric [Curry]
Tyrosine
Shark Cartilage
Soy
Stevia
Valerian
Vitamin D
Vitex
Walnuts
Watermelon
Wheat Grass
Whey
Wild Yam
Witch Hazel
Wormwood
Xylitol
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phan
Food Industry
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Herb Side Effect
Blood Pressure
Lowering Herbs
Cholesterol
Lowering Herbs
Supplements for
Cadiovascular
Diseases
Coenzyme Q and
Creatine for
Parkinson's
disease?
DIET.
SUPPLEMENT
PhytoChemicals
Antioxidants
A-Z Health Foods,
Products
Acetyl-L Carnitine
Acidophilus
Alfalfa
Almond
Aloe vera
Andrographis
Aniseed
Apple
Arnica
Ashwagandha
Asian Pears
Asparagus
Astaxanthin,
Astragulus
Artichoke
Avena sativa
Avocados
Barley
Banana
Basil
Beet
black cohosh
Bladderwrack
Blackberry
Black Currant
Bloodroot
Blueberry
Bilberry
Bitter Melon
Borage Seed Oil
Boswellia
Black Soya Bean
Broccoli
Bromelain
Brown Seaweed
Brussels Sprout
Butein
Butterbur
Burdock
Cabbage
Cactus
Caffeine
Calcium
Calendula
Canola oil
Cauliflower
Cat's Claw
Cayenne
Celadrin
Celery
Chamomile
Chaparral
Cherry
Chokeberry
Chondroitin
Chitosan
Chlorella
Chlorophyll
Chromium
Cinnamon
CLA
Cocoa
Cod Liver Oil
Coenzyme Q
Coffee
Comfrey
Conj. Linoleic Acid
Colostrum
Colloidal Silver
Cordyceps
Corn
Cranberry
Creatine
Curcumin
Damiana
Dandelion
Danggui_Buxue
Devil's Claw
DHEA
Dill
Dong Quai
EGCG
Echinacea
Eleuthero
Ellagic Acid
Eucalyptus G.
Eve. Primrose Oil
Falcarinol
Fennel
Fenugreek
Feverfew
Folate
Fish Oil
Flaxseed Meal
Flaxseed /Linseed
Garcinia C.
Garlic
Galangal
Ghrelin
Ginger
Ginseng
Ginseng/Ginkgo
Ginkgo Biloba
Glucosamine
Goldenseal
Gotu Kola
GRAPE SEED
EXTRACT
Green Coffee Bean
Green Tea
Growth Hormone
Stimulants
Goldenseal
Guar Gum
Guggul
Gymnema
Hawthorn
Hoodia
Hop
Horse Chestnut
Horsetail
Huperzine A
Hyaluronic acid
Isothiocyanates
Kava Kava
Kelp
L-arginine
Lavender
Lecithin
Lemon balm
Licorice
Lingonberry
Lutein
Lycopene
Maca
Maitake
Mango
Mangosteen
Marshmallow
Melatonin
Milk Thistle
Mistletoe
N-Acetylcysteine
Nattokinase
Nectarines
Octacosanol
Olive Oil
Omegic Fatty
Acids
Onion
Orange
Oregon Grape
Pantethine
Papaya
Passion Flower
PEANUT
Peach
Peony
Pepper
Peppermint
Persimmons
Phellinus linteus
Phosphatidyl
serine
Phyllanthus
Potato
Plum
Pomegranate
Probiotics
Policosanol /
Polycosanol
Propolis
Pumpkin
Pycnogenol
Pyruvate
Quercetin
Quince
Radish
Red Clover
Red Yeast Rice
Reishi / Lingzhi
Resveratrol
Rhodiola
Rhubarb
Rice Bran Oil
Rosemary
Royal Jelly
Rutin
S-adenosyl-L-
methionine
Saffron
Saw Palmetto
Schisandra
Selenium
Spinach
Spirulina
Squash
Stinging Nettle
St John Wort
Strawberry
Sweet Potatoes
Taxifolin
Tea Tree Oil
Turmeric [Curry]
Tyrosine
Shark Cartilage
Soy
Stevia
Valerian
Vitamin D
Vitex
Walnuts
Watermelon
Wheat Grass
Whey
Wild Yam
Witch Hazel
Wormwood
Xylitol
Yarrow
Yohimbe
Yucca
5-Hydroxytrpto
phan
Food Industry
Organic Label
HOME
Herb Side Effect
Blood Pressure
Lowering Herbs
Cholesterol
Lowering Herbs
Supplements for
Cadiovascular
Diseases
Coenzyme Q and
Creatine for
Parkinson's
disease?
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