Mastic gum, a Greek tree resin sold as chewing gum, powder and capsules, is a traditional stomach and mouth remedy. Its most credible use is easing recurring indigestion with no visible cause, accepted by the European medicines regulator for traditional use. Chewing it may briefly reduce dental plaque. Effects on cholesterol, blood sugar and the ulcer-causing stomach bacterium are mixed. Safety looks favorable; its value for longevity is unproven. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Total cholesterol | No established target; change from own baseline | Expected to change (may fall) |
| Fasting glucose | 70–99 mg/dL | Expected to change; safety check with diabetes drugs |
| Urea breath test for H. pylori | No established target; conversion from positive to negative after a course | Expected to change if used against H. pylori |
| ALT (liver enzyme) | 7–56 U/L (varies by laboratory) | Expected to change (fell in long-term use) |
| Home blood pressure | No established target for mastic use; change from own baseline | Safety check (possible small rise) |
Cadence: Baseline before starting; symptom review at 2 and 4 weeks; urea breath test 4–6 weeks after an H. pylori course; lipids and fasting glucose at 8–12 weeks, then every 6–12 months; blood pressure weekly for the first month