Gymnema (25% Gymnemic Acid)

History:
Gymnema is a tenacious, climbing vine that is native to the monsoon forests of central and southern mainland India, where it grows wild and is also under cultivation as a medicinal crop in fairly large areas of the country. Gymnema is a multi-branched, woody climber, bearing dense, ovate, elliptical leaves and yellow flowers that bloom in April and May. For two thousand years, Gymnema has been used in Ayurvedic medicine of India to treat Type-2, adult onset diabetes; and Indian traditional practitioners also used it to remedy liver disease, stomach problems and water retention. Interest in the herb for diabetes management waned during the period of the British Raj, when the government officially patronized Western medical treatments, and especially with the advent of insulin. The hypoglycemic (blood sugar lowering) action of Gymnema was first documented in the late 1920s, when substances called gymnemic acids in the leaves were believed to increase the flow of insulin from cells in the pancreas or by the action of regenerating those cells. It is not entirely clear how the plant works in this regard, but because it has shown positive results in clinical trials, renewed interest in Gymnema may prove it to be a vitally important botanical support for controlling blood sugar. The plant is used in herbal medicines as a bitter, acrid, cooling tonic. Interestingly, but perhaps most importantly, the leaves of the plant appear to contain the plant's most effective constituents and have the remarkable ability of numbing the taste glands (the gurmarin content) for several hours against sweet and bitter tastes. Some of the active constituents included in Gymnema are pentriacontane, hentricontane, phytin, a- and b-chlorophylls, resin, tartaric acid, formic acid, butyric acid, mucilage, inositol, gurmarin, gymnemic acid, parabin, carbohydrates and antheraquinone. The leaves are also thought to contain beta-carotene, ascorbic acid, calcium, chromium, fat, iron, magnesium, manganese, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, protein, B-vitamins, selenium, silicon, thiamine, zinc, alkaloids, betain, choline and trimethylamine.

Gymnema is said to help reduce blood sugar levels in Type-2, adult onset diabetics by blocking sugar's efficacy in the system and reducing blood sugar levels after sugar consumption. Although it is not exactly clear as to how this herb works, substances in Gymnema's leaves, called gymnemic acids, are believed to increase the flow of insulin in the pancreas (boosting the amount available to process sugar), or possibly regenerate the cells in the pancreas that secrete insulin. This theory may have been validated in a 2009 study conducted by King's College, London, when they discovered that an extract from the plant may help regulate blood glucose levels through a direct effect on the pancreatic beta cells to “significantly” stimulate insulin release without compromising pancreatic beta cell viability. Other research has claimed that Gymnema reduces glucose absorption from the intestine, improves uptake of glucose into cells and prevents adrenal hormones from stimulating the liver to produce glucose, thereby reducing blood-sugar levels. It is interesting to note that the active ingredient, gymnemic acid, is an organic acid, atomically composed similarly to glucose molecules. The molecules fill the receptor sites in the intestines when gymnemic acid fills the receptors on the outer layers of the intestines, thus helping to block the absorption of sugar molecules.

Gymnema also blocks the taste of sugar on the tongue. The similar molecular structure of gymnemic acid and glucose has the same effect of filling receptor sites on the taste buds for several hours. The effect of suppressing the desire for sweets seems to further support both its use in lowering blood sugar levels, as well as its use for weight control.

With regard to weight management, there are claims that Gymnema may play a part in weight control. Because the Gymnema molecule blocks the passages through which sugar is normally absorbed, fewer calories are assimilated. Both sugar and Gymnema are digested in the small intestine, but the larger molecule of Gymnema cannot be fully absorbed, and the remaining sugar is eliminated as waste. It is thought that up to fifty percent of dietary sugar calories absorbed may be blocked with the use of this herb.

Recommended Dosage:
Take two (2) capsules, two (2) times each day with water at mealtimes.

Contraindications:
People with (Type-1 or Type-2 diabetes) should use Gymnema Herbal Supplement only under the supervision of a physician. It is important to note that Gymnema should never be used in place of insulin. Gymnema can enhance the blood glucose lowering effects of insulin and hypoglycemic drugs and, thus, blood glucose levels. Therefore, blood glucose levels must always be monitored closely by a health care provider.

Capsule Information:
Our Gymnema (25% Gymnemic Acid) supplements are encapsulated in 100% Gluten-free, Vegetable Cellulose, Certified Kosher, size "00" Capsules.(click here for size comparison) Each capsule contains approximately 600 mgs."

Special Note:
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Disclaimer:
The information presented herein by Herbal Extracts Plus is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.