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Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL) for Functional Dyspepsia

C

Traditional use supported by limited clinical data. GutGard (DGL extract) showed improvement in functional dyspepsia symptoms in small RCTs.

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The Bottom Line

            
            
Traditional use supported by limited clinical data. GutGard (DGL extract) showed improvement in functional dyspepsia symptoms in small RCTs.

            
            
        

    










    

  
Key Study Findings





    

        
        

            

                
                    Systematic Review
                
                
                
                
            

            
                Persian Herbal Medicine in Functional Dyspepsia: A Systematic Review.
            
            

                
                Dose: None
                
                
                vs: None
                
                
                Outcome: None
                
                
                Effect: None
                
                
                None
                
            

            
            
Population: the presence of dyspepsia in the absence of organic or metabolic causes

            
        

        
        

            

                
                    In Vitro
                
                
                
                
            

            
                Effect of Flavonoid-Rich Extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra on Gut-Friendly Microorganisms, Commercial Probiotic Preparations, and Digestive …
            
            

                
                Dose: Glycyrrhiza glabra flavonoid-rich extract
                
                
                vs: None
                
                
                Outcome: compatibility with probiotics and digestive enzymes
                
                
                Effect: compatible with all tested strains
                
                
                None
                
            

            
            
Population: Probiotic strains and enzymes (in vitro)

            
        

        
        

            

                
                    Randomized Controlled Trial
                
                
                
                4 weeks
                
                
                Double-blind
                
            

            
                An Extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra (GutGard) Alleviates Symptoms of Functional Dyspepsia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled …
            
            

                
                Dose: 75 mg twice daily
                
                
                vs: Placebo
                
                
                Outcome: Functional dyspepsia symptom severity (SFLDQ)
                
                
                Effect: None
                
                
                None
                
            

            
            
Population: Adults with functional dyspepsia

            
        

        
    







    
    

        
        

            

  
Key Statistics





            


    

        
3

        
Studies

    

    

        
200

        
Participants

    

    

        
            
            ↑
            
        
        
Positive

    

    

        C

        
Grade

    




        


        
        
        

            

  
Referenced Papers





            

                
                

                    

                        
                            Persian Herbal Medicine in Functional Dyspepsia: A Systematic Review.
                        
                        
                            
                                Systematic Review
                            
                            
                            
                        
                    

                    

                        Current drug discovery …
                        2021
                        
                        16 citations
                        
                    

                

                
                

                    

                        
                            Effect of Flavonoid-Rich Extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra on Gut-Friendly Microorganisms, Commercial Probiotic Preparations, and Digestive Enzymes.
                        
                        
                            
                                Other
                            
                            
                            
                        
                    

                    

                        Journal of dietary …
                        2017
                        
                        13 citations
                        
                    

                

                
                

                    

                        
                            An Extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra (GutGard) Alleviates Symptoms of Functional Dyspepsia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.
                        
                        
                            
                                Other
                            
                            
                            
                        
                    

                    

                        Evidence-based complementary and …
                        2012
                        
                        70 citations
                        
                    

                

                
            

        

        

        
        
        

            

  
Dosage & Usage





            
mg = milligrams · mcg = micrograms (1,000× smaller) · IU = International Units


            
            

                
Commonly Used Dosages

                

                    
                    

                        
general:

                        
380-760 mg DGL extract 3 times daily before meals

                    

                    
                    

                        
gastricsupport:

                        
760 mg before meals and at bedtime

                    

                    
                    

                        
dyspepsiasupport:

                        
380-400 mg chewable tablet 20 minutes before meals, 3 times daily

                    

                    
                

                
                

                    Upper limit: Not established for DGL specifically; DGL removes the toxic glycyrrhizin component
                

                
            

            

            
            

                
Dosages Studied in Research

                

                    

                        
                            

                                Dosage
                                Duration
                                Effect
                                N
                            

                        
                        
                            
                            

                                None
                                --
                                
                                    
                                    Positive
                                    
                                
                                --
                            

                            
                            

                                Glycyrrhiza glabra flavonoid-rich extract
                                --
                                
                                    
                                    Positive
                                    
                                
                                --
                            

                            
                            

                                75 mg twice daily
                                4 weeks
                                
                                    
                                    Positive
                                    
                                
                                --
                            

                            
                        
                    

                

            

            

            
            

                Best taken: 20 minutes before meals; chewable tablets should be chewed thoroughly for mucosal contact
            

            
        

        

        
        
        

            

  
Safety & Side Effects





            

                
                

                    
Reported Side Effects

                    
    
                        
                        
  • 
                            ⚠
                            Generally very well-tolerated (glycyrrhizin removal reduces risk of major side effects)
                        
    • 
                        
                        
  • 
                            ⚠
                            Mild nausea in rare cases
                        
    • 
                        
                        
  • 
                            ⚠
                            Headache (uncommon)
                        
    • 
                        
                        
  • 
                            ⚠
                            If glycyrrhizin is NOT fully removed: hypertension, hypokalemia, edema (ensure true DGL product)
                        
    • 
                        
                    

                

                

                
                

                    
Known Interactions

                    
    
                        
                        
  • 
                            ●
                            Digoxin (if residual glycyrrhizin present, hypokalemia may increase digoxin toxicity)
                        
    • 
                        
                        
  • 
                            ●
                            Diuretics (if residual glycyrrhizin, additive potassium loss)
                        
    • 
                        
                        
  • 
                            ●
                            Corticosteroids (if residual glycyrrhizin, additive mineralocorticoid effects)
                        
    • 
                        
                        
  • 
                            ●
                            Warfarin (theoretical interaction if residual glycyrrhizin affects metabolism)
                        
    • 
                        
                    

                

                

                
                

                    

                        Tolerable upper intake: Not established for DGL specifically; DGL removes the toxic glycyrrhizin component
                    

                

                
            

            

                Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.
            

        

        

        
        
        

            

  
Frequently Asked Questions





            




    
    

        
            Does Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL) help with Functional Dyspepsia?
            
        
        

            Based on 3 studies with 200 participants, there is limited but promising evidence that Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL) may support Functional Dyspepsia management. Our evidence grade is C (Some Evidence).
        

    

    
    

        
            How much Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL) should I take for Functional Dyspepsia?
            
        
        

            Studies have used various dosages. A commonly studied range is 380-760 mg DGL extract 3 times daily before meals. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.
        

    

    
    

        
            Are there side effects of Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL)?
            
        
        

            Reported side effects may include Generally very well-tolerated (glycyrrhizin removal reduces risk of major side effects), Mild nausea in rare cases, Headache (uncommon), If glycyrrhizin is NOT fully removed: hypertension, hypokalemia, edema (ensure true DGL product). Most side effects are mild and dose-dependent. Consult your doctor if you experience any adverse reactions.
        

    

    
    

        
            How strong is the evidence for Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL) and Functional Dyspepsia?
            
        
        

            We rate the evidence as Grade C (Some Evidence). This rating is based on 3 peer-reviewed studies with 200 total participants. The overall direction of effect is positive.
        

    

    




        

        

        
        
        

            

  
Related Evidence





            

                
                

                    
Other ingredients for Functional Dyspepsia

                    

                        
                        
                            Ginger
                            B

                        
                        
                        
                            Bifidobacterium bifidum
                            C

                        
                        
                    

                

                

                
                

                    
Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL) for other conditions

                    

                        
                        
                            Peptic Ulcer Disease
                            C

                        
                        
                    

                

                
            

        

        

    


    
    












    

        FDA Disclaimer:
        These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products and information on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The evidence grades presented are based on our analysis of published peer-reviewed research and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.