Gymnema Sylvestre can help balance blood sugar, control cravings and hence lose weight! How does it work? It blocks intestinal absorption of sugar and the sugar passes through the system. Pullulan is a polysaccharide which enhances the Gymnema Sylvestre.
Gymnema Sylvestre is a woody, vine-like plant which climbs on bushes and trees. The medicinally active parts of the plant are the leaves and the roots. It came to be known as "destroyer of sugar" because,in ancient times, Ayurvedic physicians observed that chewing a few leaves of Gymnema sylvestre suppressed the taste of sugar. That is, sweet foods no longer tasted sweet, but rather became almost completely tasteless. In later generations, clinical tests showed that regular use over a period of three to four months helped to reduce glycosuria, or the appearance of carbohydrates in urine. Recent clinical trials conducted in India have shown that an extract of Gymnema sylvestre is useful for controling Blood Sugar.
As a result of these clinical tests and years of successful treatments, Gymnema sylvestre is used today for controling blood sugar levels.
Studies conducted in India as early as 1930 showed that the leaves of Gymnema sylvestre cause hypoglycemia in experimental animals.
The structure of those taste buds which detect sugar in the mouth is similar to the structure of the tissue that absorbs sugar in the intestine. The important active ingredient of Gymnema sylvestre is an organic acid called gymnemic acid.
It has also been noted that Gymnema sylvestre takes away the bitter taste of bitter substances, such as quinine, in much the same way that it affects the sense of sweetness associated with candies and other sweet foods. However, it has no effect on pungent, salty, astringent or acidic tastes. Therefore, if you are eating an orange within two hours after chewing Gymnema sylvestre leaves, for instance, you would taste the sourness of it but not the sweetness.
Gymnema sylvestre will last
for only one to two hours. If you are using the herb to break the sugar habit,
then it would be wise to take some Gymnema sylvestre before social events
or other times when you might be tempted to dive into the tray of sweets.
Gymnema sylvestre significantly reduces the metabolic effects of sugar by
preventing the intestines from absorbing the sugar molecules during the process
of digestion.
Hypoglycemic and life-prolonging
properties of Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract in diabetic rats.
Gymnema sylvestre improved blood glucose homeostasis and activities of
the enzymes in insulin pathways.
In experimental and clinical trials,
Gymnema sylvestre has been successful in controlling the blood sugar
level without reducing it to below the normal blood sugar levels, an effect
sometimes seen with the use of insulin or oral hypoglycemic sulphonylurea
compounds.
Due to it's non-toxic nature and sweetness-suppression activity, Gymnema
sylvestre can play a role in treating conditions caused by excessive sugar
intakes. Conditions like obesity, hyperglycemia, anemia and osteoporosis can
also be helped by using Gymnema sylvestre.
Gymnema sylvestre is thought
to impair the ability to discriminate "sweet taste," and increase enzyme
activity responsible for glucose uptake and utilization, or possibly stimulate
beta cell function.
Side effects of Gymnema sylvestre includes hypoglycemia and possible
additive hypoglycemic effects with either insulin or other agents.
Gymnema sylvestre should not be used without medical supervision. Gymnema sylvestre has been studied in both type 1 and type 2 patients however, the research is not well done.
The Latin name Gymnema Sylvestre means "sugar destroyer" and is considered a herbal remedy for high blood sugar. Traditionally Gymnema Sylvestre was recommended for stomach problems, constipation, water retention and liver disease although modern research centers around it use for type II diabetes. Gymnema Sylvestre has been clinically proven to reduce excessively high blood sugar levels, perhaps as a result of boosting the production of insulin required to process sugar.
Gymnema sylvestre is an
Indian herb used Ayurveda, the ancient Hindi medicine system of India. Also
referred to as Gurmarbooti, gurmar, periploca of the woods in English and
meshasringi (meaning “ram’s horn”) in Sanskrit, it is a woody climbing plant
that grows in the tropical forests of central and southern India. Gymnema
sylvestre’s primary application was for adult-onset diabetes (NIDDM), a
condition for which it continues to be recommended today in India.
The gradual hypoglycemic action of Gymnema Sylvestre leaves
Gymnema Sylvestre leaves raise insulin levels, according to research in
healthy volunteers
A water-soluble acidic fraction of the leaves provides hypoglycemic actions,
possibly gymnema sylvestre acid.
Gymnema sylvestre is sold under several brands including Nature’s Way,
Natrol, Pro Beta™ and Informulab® Beta Fast GXR® . The products promote healthy
glucose levels and pancreas function. As a supplement, Gymnema Sylvestre
is also used to help diminish sugar intake.
Gymnema sylvestre is generally safe and devoid of side affects although
it should be avoided during pregnancy. Gymnema Sylvestre cannot be used
in place of insulin to control blood sugar by persons with IDDM or NIDDM.
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