Product WriteUps

Gymnema

Gymnema sylvestre is herb that has deep roots in the medical field. It has been used in India for more than 2,000 years to treat diabetes. The effects of gymnema are still being studied in order to provide scientific perspective on its anti-diabetic actions. Anecdotal evidence has provided the hypothesis that Gymnema has the ability to lower blood sugar levels and can temporarily alter the taste of sugar when placed in the mouth. This mechanism is believed to help resist sugar cravings. It has been postulated that gymnenam has the ability to block sugar receptors in the tongue, therefore dulling the appealing taste of sugar. Gymnema contains several compounds that are beneficial to health including gymnemic acids, tritepenoids saponins, and flavonoid compounds kaempferol and quercetin. In addition to diabetes benefits, these compounds are believed to have therapeutic roles in allergies, arthritis, gout, and healthy cholesterol maintenance (Luo, 2006). Some scientific studies support and reveal the mechanisms of gymnema therapeutic benefits.

In a 1990 study at the Postgraduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Madras in India the effects of gymnema on hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetics were studied. Gymnema was administered to patients in 400 mg per day doses for 18-20 months as a supplement to conventional medication. Over the period of supplementation patients showed significant reductions in blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin and glycosylated plasma proteins and an increase in insulin levels. In many cases the dosage of the conventional drugs were decreased. 5 of the 22 subjects were able to discontinue their conventional treatment and maintain healthy glucose levels with gymnema supplements alone. The data suggests that beta cells undergo at least partial reparation due to gymnema supplementation (Baskaran, 1990). In another study, a novel peptide isolated from gymnema suppressed neural responses to sweet tasting stimuli (Imoto, 1991). Furthermore, gymnema also promotes weight due to its ability to suppress hyperlipidemia (Luo, 2006). This highlights gymnema's possible use as part of maintaining a healtheir diet. Gymnema has uses for both those suffering from diabetes and for those looking to maintain their weight and health. This herb can be a part of any diet.

References

Baskaran K, Kizar Ahamath B, Radha K, Shanmugasundaram E. Gymnema sylvestre in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus patients. J Ethnopharmacol. 1990; 30(3): 295-300.

Imoto T, Miyasaka A, Ishima R, Akasaka K. A novel peptide is isolated from the leaves of Gymnema sylvestre-I. Characerization and its suppressibe effect on the neural responses to sweet taste stimuli in the rat. Comp Biochem Physiol A. 1991. 100(2):309-314.

Luo H, Kashiwagi A, Shibahara T, Yamada K. Decreased body weight without rebound and regulated lipoprotein metabolism by gymnemate in multifactor syndrome animal. Mol Cell Biochem. 2006 May 12. [Epub ahead of print].

Disclaimer: The statements here in have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.