Health Benefits of Dgl
Posted by Wen Dan Jiang on
Health Benefits of DGL
There are enough health benefits associated with DGL or Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice. It helps decrease inflammation, reduces the risks of heart health or guts disorder, and plays its role in weight loss. It is also beneficial in fighting against infection as it has anti-inflammatory properties. Aside from them, there are a lot of other health benefits of DGL, but they are not supported by enough scientific shreds of evidence. So, in this article, we only talk about those health benefits that have enough background studies!
DGL is a Licorice that has a minimum amount of glycyrrhizin. DGL should comprise of no more than 2 % of glycyrrhizin. This form is highly suggested for gastrointestinal disorders as long-term consumption may be required. Licorice root, also called sweet root, is utilized basically as a sweetener in candies and beverages.
DGL is available in the market in the form of chewable dietary pills, capsules, tea, and powder. It will help if you do not take it more than 5 g per day. You may even buy DGL in plenty of different forms.
The 9 Health Benefits of DGL
- Lowering Inflammation
According to animal-based studies, DGL was observed to have anti-inflammatory properties. These Licorice extract boosted regulatory T cells in mice, recommending that Licorice may save us from autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.
The TNF-α formation, Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) function, and NF-kB activity may cause inflammation in your brain. You may treat them with dehydroglyasperin C that is a licorice flavonoid. It prevents the pro-inflammatory function in your brain and may aid in preventing neuron cell death.
You may also use DGL to reduce alcohol-induced liver injury by decreasing primary liver inflammation markers. You may use it for your inflammatory problems if your doctor thinks that DGL may help in your condition.
- Menopausal Symptoms
An old study on 50 menopausal women suggested that Licorice was more beneficial than hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in decreasing hot flash duration. Still, it had no impact on hot flash severity. In another study, an herbal extract formula of DGL with liquiritigenin facilitated with menopausal hot flashes.
Glabridin and glabrene comprise of estrogen-like activities that can help women who don't have enough estrogen levels, like in menopause condition.
Glabridin contains an exact impact on human cell culture to estradiol-17beta (the most potent form of estrogen). Glabrene is linked to estrogen receptors and also promoted muscle cell production in cell-based research.
- Lowering Heart Disease Risk
In a study on almost 100 individuals having a high cholesterol level, a year of Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL) intake reduced total cholesterol level, LDL cholesterol, and blood pressure levels.
Recent research indicates that the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of Licorice facilitate decreased damage to the heart tissue and help in faster recovery. The available shreds of evidence are still insufficient to highlight the role of DGL in decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disorder. So, we require adequate clinical trials.
Additionally, regular Licorice comprises glycyrrhizin to release more potassium and enhance blood pressure that can ultimately worsen heart problems. But DGL doesn't have glycyrrhizin so that they may improve health problems.
- Fatigue
Licorice may enhance cortisol levels and activity. It inhibits 11-beta-HSD (the enzyme that transforms cortisol to the less active cortisone) and SULT2A1 (the enzyme that indicates steroid hormones, involving cortisol removal). This boost in cortisol level may aid in energy levels. Additionally, it also enhances DHEA and testosterone levels in your body.
Glabridin is a polyphenolic flavonoid from Licorice (DGL), which may decrease exercise-induced fatigue. In clinical trials, Mice was treated with glabridin swam for a longer duration. The higher the amount of glabridin, the longer the mice might swim. Mice cured using glabridin also included fewer markers of fatigue, like blood lactic acid levels, blood nitrogen urea, and higher glycogen levels.
A recent study in mice also recommends that LDL may reduce fatigue. So, you may consult your doctor and health care officials if you want to take it.
- Fighting infection
Fighting against infections is also one of the health benefits of DGL. According to a 2010 University of Texas research, it aids damaged skin to create bacteria-fighting proteins called antimicrobial peptides. It is a significant defense against infection. DGL may cause treatments to treat antibiotic-resistant infections like those that sometimes happen in severe burns and may be dangerous to life.
Two important licorice compounds are licorisoflavan and licoricidin that can fight against two significant kinds of cavity-causing bacteria and three kinds of bacteria that fuel gum disorder.
- Hepatitis C
DGL may also beneficial against hepatitis C, a virus that severely impacts your liver. Without focusing on this condition, hepatitis C may lead to inflammation and long-term liver destruction. Scientists have investigated that Licorice has antimicrobial function against hepatitis C and may treat this virus.
Japanese Doctors utilize an injectable form of DGL to treat individuals who are suffering from chronic hepatitis C that does not effectively treat with other medicines. The results of studies in Japan recommend that it may be beneficial for this.
- Tooth decay
Several studies suggest that Licorice may aid in killing bacteria in your mouth that may lead to tooth decay. But Licorice has unique antibacterial activity that may help against tooth decay.LDL has the potential to limit the growth or development of oral bacteria. It means that it does have enough ability to deal with improving your tooth conditions.
- Sore throat
The majority of individuals focus that Licorice has a beneficial sore throat remedy. A recent study highlighted that people who had a breathing tube inserted into their windpipe before surgery. After its elimination, the breathing tube may lead to a postoperative sore throat called POST.
Different clinical trials investigated that gargling a licorice solution for almost 10 minutes before surgery was efficient in decreasing POST occurrence and severity.
Another research showed that solutions with a more considerable amount of Licorice were more efficient than less concentrated solutions in treating POST.
- Stalling cancer
The compound's licochalcone-A, licocoumarone, and glabridin may reduce the development of or killed breast cancer and leukemia cells. These compounds also inhibit the production of tumors in skin, colon, liver, and breast cancers.
This usage of LDL has much tested in individuals. Still, one herbal prostate-cancer formula that included Licorice was investigated in human research to minimize the development of certain prostate cancers. Licorice is not an alternative for typical cancer therapy, but researchers think it can fight against cancer.
How to Use DGL
You can drink DGL tea, and it is also present in the form of chewable pills, a liquid extract, tablets, capsules, a powder, and an herb.
You may utilize DGL in different ways for medicinal purposes like;
- Combining the herb with a skin-friendly gel, for example, aloe vera gel, to help in eczema
- Steeping DGL herbs in hot water to prepare tea for a sore throat, or you may also buy a prepared herbal tea that includes Licorice as a primary ingredient.
- Including a liquid form of DGL to a drink or consuming it under the tongue as a cure for ulcers or stomach issues
- Consuming DGL capsules and chewable tablets according to the instructions on the packaging or the advice of healthcare experts
- Individuals must not take licorice candies, teas, or pills for extended periods without consulting to doctors and health care officials first. It is beneficial to utilize DGL dietary supplements rather than Licorice if you are worried about blood pressure or low potassium levels.
Summary
The health benefits of DGL are widespread.
LDL is basically Licorice that has not included glycyrrhizin. It is a typical remedy that has several potential health advantages in clinical research and laboratory tests.
While LDL may be useful for different health problems, individuals should always consult doctors and check with a healthcare expert that it may not interfere with any medications or may have adverse side effects.