Cyamopsis tetragonolobus

Related Terms

Benefiber?, C. tetragonolobus, Cal-Ban 3000?, cattle fodder, Choltrol?, cluster bean, cluster plant, clusterbean, Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub., Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taubert, Cyamopsis tetragonolobus, galactomannan, guaran, Guarem?, Guarina?, Indian cluster bean, Indische B?schelbohne (German), jaguar gum, M60, M90, M150, M175, Meyprofin?, Novafibra?, Novasource GI control?, soluble dietary fiber, Sunfiber?.
Selected combination products: Fiber Plan? (guar gum, psyllium husk, pectin, and locust bean gum); MinolestT (containing guar gum and psyllium).

Background

Guar gum is an extract of the guar bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba). The plant is primarily grown in Pakistan and India. Guar gum is widely used as a food-thickening agent and as an ingredient in nutritional supplements.
Guar gum is considered a plant-based dietary fiber, meaning that it is the edible part of a plant that may otherwise be hard to digest and absorb in the intestines. Dietary fibers may help promote bowel movements and may reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
There is much evidence supporting the use of guar gum in reducing cholesterol levels. Guar gum may help enhance the function of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and may help people who have diarrhea, constipation, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Studies have also shown that guar gum may lower blood sugar following meals, as well as insulin levels in people with and without diabetes.
According to some research, guar gum may not be effective for weight loss. Following reports of side effects, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) moved to ban guar gum as a weight loss ingredient.
Commonly reported side effects associated with guar gum include stomach pain, diarrhea, and gassiness. Guar gum may also affect how the body absorbs drugs given at the same time, such as metformin and penicillin.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


There is good scientific evidence showing that guar gum may help lower levels of total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol. More research is needed to determine the effectiveness of different guar gum treatments to maximize these benefits.

 A


There is good scientific evidence showing that guar gum may help lower levels of total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol. More research is needed to determine the effectiveness of different guar gum treatments to maximize these benefits.

 A


Some studies have reported that guar gum, especially chemically treated guar gum that is water soluble, may reduce diarrhea in both adults and children. Most trials used Benefiber? and used guar gum in addition to other treatments.

 A


Some studies have reported that guar gum, especially chemically treated guar gum that is water soluble, may reduce diarrhea in both adults and children. Most trials used Benefiber? and used guar gum in addition to other treatments.

 A


Numerous studies have shown that guar gum may be effective in reducing blood sugar levels in people with types 1 and 2 diabetes. However, results are not consistent, and more research is needed before further conclusions can be made.

 B


Numerous studies have shown that guar gum may be effective in reducing blood sugar levels in people with types 1 and 2 diabetes. However, results are not consistent, and more research is needed before further conclusions can be made.

 B


Some studies suggest that guar gum may help control blood pressure. Further research is needed to better understand these findings.

 C


Some studies suggest that guar gum may help control blood pressure. Further research is needed to better understand these findings.

 C


Like other dietary fibers, guar gum has been used to improve bowel function by stimulating the removal of waste and toxins from the body. However, there have been conflicting results as to the effectiveness of guar gum on constipation. High-quality studies evaluating guar gum for this condition and for improving bowel function are needed.

 C


Like other dietary fibers, guar gum has been used to improve bowel function by stimulating the removal of waste and toxins from the body. However, there have been conflicting results as to the effectiveness of guar gum on constipation. High-quality studies evaluating guar gum for this condition and for improving bowel function are needed.

 C


Studies have looked into whether guar gum may help pregnant women with blocked bile flow (cholestasis). Results have been mixed and evidence is still lacking for this benefit. Additional research is needed.

 C


Studies have looked into whether guar gum may help pregnant women with blocked bile flow (cholestasis). Results have been mixed and evidence is still lacking for this benefit. Additional research is needed.

 C


Many studies have looked into the potential blood sugar-lowering effects of guar gum in people with and without diabetes. Well-designed, long-term studies are needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Many studies have looked into the potential blood sugar-lowering effects of guar gum in people with and without diabetes. Well-designed, long-term studies are needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Guar gum may help improve bowel function, regulate bowel movements, and promote the removal of waste and toxins from the bowel and colon. It may be beneficial in reducing symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in adults. Well-designed clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.

 C


Guar gum may help improve bowel function, regulate bowel movements, and promote the removal of waste and toxins from the bowel and colon. It may be beneficial in reducing symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in adults. Well-designed clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.

 C


Guar gum was believed to support weight loss by expanding in the stomach and reducing appetite. However, researchers reported that guar gum is not effective for this use and is associated with side effects. Following these reports, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) moved to ban guar gum as a weight loss ingredient.

 F


Guar gum was believed to support weight loss by expanding in the stomach and reducing appetite. However, researchers reported that guar gum is not effective for this use and is associated with side effects. Following these reports, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) moved to ban guar gum as a weight loss ingredient.

 F
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
To reduce appetite, 2.5 grams of guar gum has been taken by mouth three times daily with a low-energy, semisolid meal. A diet containing 20 grams of a water-soluble guar gum supplement has been taken by mouth for one week.
To control blood pressure, 10 grams of guar gum has been taken by mouth three times daily before meals for six weeks. A dose of 3.5 grams of water-soluble guar gum has been taken by mouth three times daily for six months before meals.
To reduce blood pressure, a 300-milliliter beverage containing nine grams of guar gum, 30 milliliters of lemon juice, 20 megabecquerels of technetium-99-sulfur colloid, and 50 grams of glucose has been taken by mouth.
To improve bowel function, 10 grams of water-soluble guar gum has been taken by mouth for 15 days. A dose of 15 grams of guar gum-containing fiber has been taken by mouth for 18 days. A dose of 20 grams of guar gum has been taken by mouth daily.
To treat cholestasis (bile flow blockage) and pruritus (itching) in pregnancy, 5-15 grams of guar gum has been taken by mouth daily, with dosage increases at three-day intervals, until childbirth.
To improve cholesterol levels, 15-18 grams of guar gum has been taken by mouth daily in three divided doses for 3-24 months. A dose of 10 grams of guar gum has been taken by mouth three times daily with meals. A dose of 7.5 grams of guar gum has been taken by mouth daily for one week, then increased to 15 grams daily a second week; after the second week, the guar gum dose has been increased by five grams daily every two weeks, up to 30 grams daily.
To reduce cholesterol levels in type 2 diabetics, guar gum has been added to bread. A dose of 31.6 grams of guar gum has been taken by mouth daily by diabetics. For type 1 diabetics, five grams of guar gum has been taken by mouth four times daily before meals for six weeks.
To improve blood sugar control in diabetics, 15 grams of guar gum has been taken by mouth daily in three of four divided doses for up to 48 weeks in people with type 2 diabetes. Guar gum has been taken by mouth for four weeks by diabetics. A dose of 7.6 grams of guar gum added to bread containing 75 grams of carbohydrate has been taken by mouth by diabetics. A dose of 15 grams has been taken by mouth with a high-carbohydrate, low-fat, low-energy diet in overweight type 2 diabetics. A dose of five grams of guar gum has been taken by mouth before meals four times daily for six weeks by type 2 diabetics. A dose of nine grams of guar gum has been added to 30 grams of natural fibers to be taken by mouth daily for two months by diabetics.
To treat diarrhea, a two-percent guar gum-enriched tube feeding has been taken by people in the intensive care unit for four days. Doses of 25 or 50 grams of water-soluble guar gum added to World Health Organization Oral Rehydration Solution (WHO ORS) has been taken by adults with cholera. A 500-milliliter beverage containing 11 grams of water-soluble guar gum plus Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (probiotics) has been taken by mouth daily eight days per month on chemotherapy cycle days 7-14 by chemotherapy patients.
To reduce blood sugar levels in nondiabetics, 10 grams of guar gum has been taken by mouth three times daily before meals for six weeks. A dose of five grams of guar gum has been taken by mouth with a meal containing 50 grams of carbohydrate. A dose of 2.5 grams of guar gum has been taken three times daily with a low-energy semisolid meal for two weeks. A dose of 100 grams of guar gum per kilogram of body weight has been used to replace wheat flour in bread. Doses of guar gum ranging from 2.9 to 9.1 grams have been added to biscuits. A dose of five grams of guar gum has been taken by mouth three times daily before meals for two weeks. Guar gum has been added to rolls.
To treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), five grams and 10 grams of water-soluble guar gum mixed in 60 milliliters of apple-flavored beverage have been taken by mouth daily before breakfast for 12 weeks.
To promote weight loss, 3.5 grams of water-soluble guar gum has been taken by mouth three times daily before meals for six months. A dose of 10 grams of water-soluble guar gum has been dissolved in 200 milliliters of water, coffee, or orange juice and taken by mouth twice daily for 14 months. A dose of 2.5 grams of guar gum has been taken three times daily with a low-energy semisolid meal. A dose of 15 grams of guar gum has been taken by mouth daily in divided doses for up to six months. A formula diet containing 20 grams of water-soluble guar gum has been taken by mouth for one week.
To control blood pressure in healthy people, an infusion of 50 grams of glucose (dissolved in 300 milliliters of water) and four grams of guar gum has been delivered to the duodenum at a rate of five milliliters per minute for 60 minutes.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Guar gum may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. People taking insulin or drugs for diabetes by mouth should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Guar gum may cause low blood pressure. Caution is advised in people taking drugs that lower blood pressure.
Guar gum may also interact with alcohol, antibiotics, antidiarrheal agents, antiobesity agents, calcium salts, cardiac glycosides (drugs used to treat heart failure), cholesterol-lowering agents, diuretics (water pills), estrogens, laxatives, magnesium, metformin, potassium-reducing agents, potassium salts, progestins, and sodium.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Alam, N. H., Meier, R., Sarker, S. A., Bardhan, P. K., Schneider, H., and Gyr, N. Partially hydrolysed guar gum supplemented comminuted chicken diet in persistent diarrhoea: a randomised controlled trial. Arch.Dis.Child 2005;90(2):195-199.
Alam, N. H., Meier, R., Schneider, H., Sarker, S. A., Bardhan, P. K., Mahalanabis, D., Fuchs, G. J., and Gyr, N. Partially hydrolyzed guar gum-supplemented oral rehydration solution in the treatment of acute diarrhea in children. J.Pediatr.Gastroenterol.Nutr. 2000;31(5):503-507.
Ebeling, P., Yki-Jarvinen, H., Aro, A., Helve, E., Sinisalo, M., and Koivisto, V. A. Glucose and lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity in type 1 diabetes: the effect of guar gum. Am.J.Clin.Nutr. 1988;48(1):98-103.
Groop, P. H., Aro, A., Stenman, S., and Groop, L. Long-term effects of guar gum in subjects with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Am.J.Clin.Nutr. 1993;58(4):513-518.
Gylling, H., Riikonen, S., Nikkila, K., Savonius, H., and Miettinen, T. A. Oral guar gum treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis and pruritus in pregnant women: effects on serum cholestanol and other non-cholesterol sterols. Eur.J.Clin.Invest 1998;28(5):359-363.
Halama, W. H. and Mauldin, J. L. Distal esophageal obstruction due to a guar gum preparation (Cal-Ban 3000). South.Med.J. 1992;85(6):642-645.
Harju, E., Heikkila, J., and Larmi, T. K. Effect of guar gum on gastric emptying after gastric resection. JPEN J.Parenter.Enteral Nutr. 1984;8(1):18-20.
Harju, E. and Larmi, T. K. Efficacy of guar gum in preventing the dumping syndrome. JPEN J.Parenter.Enteral Nutr. 1983;7(5):470-472.
Hunninghake, D. B., Miller, V. T., LaRosa, J. C., Kinosian, B., Jacobson, T., Brown, V., Howard, W. J., Edelman, D. A., and O'Connor, R. R. Long-term treatment of hypercholesterolemia with dietary fiber. Am.J.Med. 1994;97(6):504-508.
Knopp, R. H., Superko, H. R., Davidson, M., Insull, W., Dujovne, C. A., Kwiterovich, P. O., Zavoral, J. H., Graham, K., O'Connor, R. R., and Edelman, D. A. Long-term blood cholesterol-lowering effects of a dietary fiber supplement. Am.J.Prev.Med. 1999;17(1):18-23.
Lewis, J. H. Esophageal and small bowel obstruction from guar gum-containing "diet pills": analysis of 26 cases reported to the Food and Drug Administration. Am.J.Gastroenterol. 1992;87(10):1424-1428.
Pittler, M. H. and Ernst, E. Guar gum for body weight reduction: meta-analysis of randomized trials. Am.J.Med. 6-15-2001;110(9):724-730.
Riikonen, S., Savonius, H., Gylling, H., Nikkila, K., Tuomi, A. M., and Miettinen, T. A. Oral guar gum, a gel-forming dietary fiber relieves pruritus in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. Acta Obstet.Gynecol.Scand. 2000;79(4):260-264.
Salenius, J. P., Harju, E., Jokela, H., Riekkinen, H., and Silvasti, M. Long term effects of guar gum on lipid metabolism after carotid endarterectomy. BMJ 1-14-1995;310(6972):95-96.
Vuorinen-Markkola, H., Sinisalo, M., and Koivisto, V. A. Guar gum in insulin-dependent diabetes: effects on glycemic control and serum lipoproteins. Am.J.Clin.Nutr. 1992;56(6):1056-1060.