Guar gum

Guar gum/Drug Interactions:

  • AntibioticsAntibiotics: In human research, guar gum reduced the peak concentration (based on the area under the curve [AUC]) of penicillin V in serum (18). Glucose abnormalities (hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia) have been reported with quinolone use. Theoretically, concurrent use with guar gum may increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
  • Antidiabetic agentsAntidiabetic agents: In human research in healthy subjects, concurrent use of guar gum and acarbose resulted in a greater decrease in the postprandial rise in glucose compared to acarbose alone, possibly due to delayed gastric emptying from the guar gum (62). Theoretically, concurrent use may increase the risk of hypoglycemia. According to human research, concurrent use of guar gum with a sulfonylurea-like glyburide may result in enhanced glucose lowering (63; 64); however, concurrent use may increase the risk of hypoglycemia (16). A dose reduction of the sulfonylurea may be required (16). In a single-dose study, guar gum did not affect the absorption of glipizide (a sulfonylurea), which may have been the result of complete gastrointestinal absorption of glipizide (65). In humans, guar gum decreased the absorption rate of metformin for the first several hours after coadministration (17).
  • AntidiarrhealsAntidiarrheals: According to human research, guar gum may increase or reduce diarrhea (14; 15; 19; 24; 25). Theoretically, it may interfere or have additive effects with antidiarrheal agents.
  • AntihypertensivesAntihypertensives: In nonobese and obese patients, supplementation has been found to reduce blood pressure (20; 21; 22). Conversely, it has also been found to attenuate postprandial hypotension, possibly by slowing gastric emptying and glucose absorption (44; 61; 45). Theoretically, guar gum may interfere with blood pressure control. Additionally, nonselective beta-blockers that block beta-2 receptors may enhance insulin and glucagon secretion, as well as glycogenolysis. Theoretically, concurrent use of nonselective beta-blockers with guar gum may increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
  • Antilipemic agentsAntilipemic agents: According to human research, guar gum may reduce total and LDL cholesterol (66; 21) and triglyceride levels (21). According to human research, concurrent use of guar gum with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (e.g., lovastatin) or fibrates (e.g., gemfibrozil) may result in additive effects and further reductions in cholesterol levels (67).
  • Antiobesity agentsAntiobesity agents: In human research, guar gum resulted in weight loss (36; 35; 43; 38). Theoretically, concurrent use with antiobesity agents may have additive effects.
  • Calcium saltsCalcium salts: In human research, guar gum delayed the absorption of calcium, possibly by increasing transit time to absorption and reducing the rate of absorption of calcium (29).
  • Cardiac glycosidesCardiac glycosides: In human studies in healthy subjects, guar gum produced no apparent effect on the absorption of digoxin (18; 68).
  • DiureticsDiuretics: In human research, guar gum increased the urinary excretion of potassium and sodium (21). Theoretically, concurrent use may increase the risk of electrolyte imbalances.
  • EstrogensEstrogens: In animal research, guar gum decreased the bioavailability and increased the clearance of ethinyl estradiol (23).
  • EthanolEthanol: The effect of guar gum on ethanol absorption was investigated in human research (69). Further details are lacking at this time.
  • LaxativesLaxatives: According to human research, guar gum may increase or reduce diarrhea (14; 15; 19; 24; 25). Theoretically, it may interfere or have additive effects with laxatives.
  • MagnesiumMagnesium: In human research, guar gum was found to increase the urinary excretion of magnesium (21).
  • MetforminMetformin: In humans, guar gum decreased the absorption rate of metformin for the first several hours after coadministration (17).
  • Potassium saltsPotassium salts: In human research, guar gum was found to increase the urinary excretion of potassium (21). In patients with ileostomy, guar gum increased the elimination of potassium from the small intestine (26).
  • Potassium-depleting drugsPotassium-depleting drugs: In human research, guar gum was found to increase the urinary excretion of potassium (21). In patients with ileostomy, guar gum increased the elimination of potassium from the small intestine (26).
  • ProgestinsProgestins: According to human research, dietary fiber such as guar gum may reduce progesterone levels (70). Theoretically, guar gum may interfere with the effects of progestins.
  • SodiumSodium: In human research, guar gum was found to increase the urinary excretion of sodium (21). In patients with ileostomy, guar gum increased the elimination of sodium from the small intestine (26).

    • Guar gum/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • AntidiarrhealsAntidiarrheals: According to human research, guar gum may increase or reduce diarrhea (14; 15; 19; 24; 25). Theoretically, it may interfere or have additive effects with antidiarrheal agents.
  • AntilipemicsAntilipemics: According to human research, guar gum may reduce total and LDL cholesterol (66; 21) and triglyceride levels (21). According to human research, concurrent use of guar gum with antilipemic agents may result in additive effects and further reductions in cholesterol levels (67).
  • Antiobesity agentsAntiobesity agents: In human research, guar gum resulted in weight loss (36; 35; 43; 38). Theoretically, concurrent use with antiobesity agents may have additive effects.
  • AntioxidantsAntioxidants: In a study in healthy women who ingested an experimental supplement of antioxidants (alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, canthaxanthin), guar gum (0.15mg/kg) produced no significant effect on those antioxidants' concentrations in LDL nor was there a significant effect on in vitro oxidation of LDL (71).
  • CalciumCalcium: In human research, guar gum delayed the absorption of calcium possibly by increasing transit time to absorption and reducing the rate of absorption of calcium (29).
  • DiureticsDiuretics: In human research, guar gum increased the urinary excretion of potassium and sodium (21). Theoretically, concurrent use may increase the risk of electrolyte imbalances.
  • HypoglycemicsHypoglycemics: According to human research, concurrent use of guar gum with a hypoglycemic agents may have an additive benefit on reducing blood glucose (63; 64); however, concurrent use may increase the risk of hypoglycemia (16).
  • HypotensivesHypotensives: In nonobese and obese patients, supplementation has been found to reduce blood pressure (20; 21; 22). Conversely, it has also been found to attenuate postprandial hypotension, possibly by slowing gastric emptying and glucose absorption (44; 61; 45). Theoretically, guar gum may interfere with blood pressure control.
  • MagnesiumMagnesium: In human research, guar gum was found to increase the urinary excretion of magnesium (21).
  • PhytoestrogensPhytoestrogens: According to animal research, guar gum may decrease the bioavailability and increase the clearance of estrogens (23).
  • PhytoprogestinsPhytoprogestins: According to human research, dietary fiber such as guar gum may reduce progesterone levels (70). Theoretically, guar gum may interfere with the effects of phytoprogestins.
  • PotassiumPotassium: In human research, guar gum was found to increase the urinary excretion of potassium (21). In patients with ileostomy, guar gum increased the elimination of potassium from the small intestine (26).
  • Potassium-depleting agentsPotassium-depleting agents: In human research, guar gum was found to increase the urinary excretion of potassium (21). In patients with ileostomy, guar gum increased the elimination of potassium from the small intestine (26).
  • SodiumSodium: In human research, guar gum was found to increase the urinary excretion of sodium (21). In patients with ileostomy, guar gum increased the elimination of sodium from the small intestine (26).
  • Vitamin AVitamin A: In patients with type 2 diabetes, guar gum decreased vitamin A in serum (27).
  • Vitamin EVitamin E: In patients with type 2 diabetes, guar gum decreased vitamin E in serum (27).
  • ZincZinc: In patients with type 2 diabetes, guar gum increased plasma zinc concentrations (27; 28).

    • Guar gum/Food Interactions:

  • CalciumCalcium: In human research, guar gum delayed the absorption of calcium, possibly by increasing transit time to absorption and reducing the rate of absorption of calcium (29).
  • FatFat: In patients with ileostomy, guar gum increased elimination of fat from the small intestine (26).
  • MagnesiumMagnesium: In human research, guar gum was found to increase the urinary excretion of magnesium (21).
  • PotassiumPotassium: In human research, guar gum was found to increase the urinary excretion of potassium (21). In patients with ileostomy, guar gum increased the elimination of potassium from the small intestine (26).
  • ProteinProtein: In patients with ileostomy, guar gum increased elimination of protein from the small intestine (26). In patients who consumed a liquid meal of protein and guar gum, the proportion of amino acids did not change (72).
  • SodiumSodium: In human research, guar gum was found to increase the urinary excretion of sodium (21). In patients with ileostomy, guar gum increased the elimination of sodium from the small intestine (26).
  • Vitamin AVitamin A: In patients with type 2 diabetes, guar gum decreased vitamin A in serum (27).
  • Vitamin EVitamin E: In patients with type 2 diabetes, guar gum decreased vitamin E in serum (27).
  • ZincZinc: In patients with type 2 diabetes, guar gum increased plasma zinc concentrations (27; 28).

    • Guar gum/Lab Interactions:

  • Blood pressureBlood pressure: In nonobese and obese patients, guar supplementation has been found to reduce blood pressure (20; 21; 22). Conversely, it has also been found to attenuate postprandial hypotension, possibly by slowing gastric emptying and glucose absorption (44; 61; 45). Theoretically, guar gum may interfere with blood pressure control.
  • Body weightBody weight: In human research, guar gum has been found to reduce body weight (43; 38; 27). However, the results are not consistent, as most studies have reported that body weight was unchanged with guar gum use (73; 74; 37; 10; 35; 75; 21; 76; 36; 77; 1; 8; 34; 78; 79; 63; 22).
  • C-peptideC-peptide: In human research, guar gum increased C-peptide response (9; 55). Other studies found it to reduce levels (52; 80; 81) or have no effect (82; 54; 83).
  • Cholecystokinin (CCK)Cholecystokinin (CCK): In human research, PHGG increased postprandial CCK response (35).
  • CreatinineCreatinine: In human research, guar gum increased the urinary excretion of creatinine (21). However, cumulative excretion of creatinine was lower in patients who consumed a liquid meal of protein and guar gum (72).
  • Fatty acidsFatty acids: In animal research, the cecal concentration of short-chain fatty acids was increased after consumption of meals containing guar gum (84; 85; 86). In humans, guar gum increased production of short-chain fatty acids (acetate, propionate, and butyrate) (87).
  • Gastric inhibitor polypeptide (GIP)Gastric inhibitor polypeptide (GIP): In human research, guar gum decreased gastric inhibitor polypeptide (GIP), which may attribute to an inhibitory effect on hepatic insulin extraction (55; 54). In healthy individuals, guar attenuated the responses to GIP following intraduodenal glucose load (61).
  • Glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1)Glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1): In human research, administration of galactose and guar gum significantly increased GLP-1 levels in normal- and overweight individuals (p=0.0001) (88). In healthy individuals, guar attenuated the responses to GLP-1 following intraduodenal glucose load (61).
  • GlucoseGlucose: In human research, guar gum has been found to decrease fasting and postprandial blood glucose (89; 90; 91; 42; 57; 92; 60; 54). Guar gum reduced urinary glucose excretion in patients with diabetes (53).
  • Heart rateHeart rate: In healthy individuals with hypotension induced by glucose, guar gum reduced the magnitude of increase in heart rate (61).
  • Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c): In human research, guar gum has been found to reduce HbA1c in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes (37; 10; 54; 9; 11; 27).
  • InsulinInsulin: In human research, guar gum has been found to reduce fasting (37) and postprandial insulin levels (54; 93). In nondiabetic patients, guar gum-containing bread products reduced postconsumption elevations in plasma insulin levels (58; 59; 60).
  • Lipid profileLipid profile: Based on human research, guar gum may reduce total and LDL cholesterol (66; 21) and triglyceride levels (21).
  • MagnesiumMagnesium: In human research, guar gum was found to increase the urinary excretion of magnesium (21).
  • Plasminogen-activator inhibitory (PAI-1) activityPlasminogen-activator inhibitory (PAI-1) activity: In human research, guar gum decreased PAI-1 activity (21).
  • PotassiumPotassium: In human research, guar gum was found to increase the urinary excretion of potassium (21). In patients with ileostomy, guar gum increased the elimination of potassium from the small intestine (26).
  • ProgesteroneProgesterone: According to human research, dietary fiber such as guar gum may reduce progesterone levels (70).
  • ProlineProline: In patients with type 1 diabetes, guar gum reduced proline levels (56).
  • SerineSerine: In patients with type 1 diabetes, guar gum reduced serine levels (56).
  • SodiumSodium: In human research, guar gum was found to increase the urinary excretion of sodium (21). In patients with ileostomy, guar gum increased the elimination of sodium from the small intestine (26).
  • TryptophanTryptophan: In patients with type 1 diabetes, guar gum reduced tryptophan levels (56).
  • UreaUrea: In patients who consumed a liquid meal of protein and guar gum, urea was decreased (72).
  • Vitamin AVitamin A: In patients with type 2 diabetes, guar gum decreased vitamin A in serum (27).
  • Vitamin EVitamin E: In patients with type 2 diabetes, guar gum decreased vitamin E in serum (27).
  • ZincZinc: In patients with type 2 diabetes, guar gum increased plasma zinc concentrations (27; 28).