Gymnema Sylvestre - Traditional Herb to Help Control Blood Sugar

Friday, April 11th 2003

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Gymnema is a traditional Ayurvedic (traditional Indian medicine) herb with a history going back over 2000 years for the successful treatment of diabetes. In classical Ayurveda, Gymnema sylvestre has been used for stomach upsets and as a diuretic. It was noted, even as far back as the first century A.D. that Gymnema successfully "destroyed" excess sugars in the body, a condition now recognised as diabetes.

Gymnema has two active ingredients, gymnemic acid and gurmarin.

Gurmarin has the ability to fill taste bud receptors and reduce the sweet taste of sugary foods, thus greatly reducing the craving for sweets. Gymnemic acid helps increase the production of insulin by stimulating the production of new insulin producing (beta-cells) cells in the pancreas. Gymnemic acid also facilitates insulin release from the beta-cells into the blood stream by increasing beta-cell membrane permeability. Gymnemic acids have also been shown to block the absorption of sugar from the intestine into the blood thereby effectively blocking sugar uptake and suppressing the elevation of blood glucose levels.

Blood Sugar Regulation

The primary clinical application for Gymnema is as a blood sugar regulator. It has been the subject of considerable research since the 1930's with promising results for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Weight Control/Sugar Cravings

Gymnema helps promote weight control by its ability to reduce the cravings for sweets and control blood sugar levels.

Traditional Benefits Include:

Promotes healthy blood sugar levels
Promotes insulin secretion
Reduces sugar cravings
Promotes weight control
Promotes healthy cholesterol levels

Nature's Way Standardized Gymnema capsules. Highly concentrated 20:1 extract. Standardized to 75% Gymnemic acid. Also contains 50mg Gymnema leaves.

Reproduced unabridged from the April- June 2003 issue of Health and Herbal News, with the kind permission of Health and Herbs International Ltd.

The following products are all useful for Blood Sugar Regulation:

Whey Protein - Vanilla
Blood Sugar
ChromeMate
Glycemic Factors
Golden Seal Root
GTF Chromium
Gymnema Sylvestre
Prevent, Treat & Reverse Diabetes Book
Pro-Pancreas
Stevia Liquid
Stevia Tablets

Related health information can be found here:

Diabetes
Diabetes and insulin resistance
Eye Health
Hypoglycemia
Levels of protein, carbohydrate and fat in Food
Looking for a sugar alternative? Try Stevia
Protein - a macronutrient so often overlooked
Weight Loss

Related articles can be found here:

Bilberry - a major antioxidant for the brain and eyes

Chromium - Essential For Sugar Metabolism

Reduce Abdominal Body Fat with CLA

 

If you need help or advice, you are welcome to email our naturopathic team with your health question.

Disclaimer: The health information presented here has been written for the New Zealand health consumer. It is of a general nature and is only intended to provide a summary of the subjects covered. The information is not intended to be comprehensive or to provide medical advice to you. While all care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, no responsibility or liability is accepted, and no person should act in reliance on any statement contained in the information provided. All health ailments should be treated by a qualified health professional.

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