What is Gymnema?

Gymnema is a woody climbing plant with small flowers that is found largely in central and western India, Africa and Australia. In India it is commonly known as Meshashringi or Gurmar and is used in ayurvedic, homeopathic and folk medicine. It is primarily the leaves of Gymnema that are used for medicinal purposes that include treatment for inflammation, eye disorders, asthma, snake-bite and dental caries. However gymnema's most famous property is its ability to suppress the taste of sugar. If gymnema leaves are chewed, the tongue is unable to taste sugar for a few hours.

How is Gymnema useful in treating diabetes mellitus?

Gymnema sylvestre leaves contain gymnemic acids in addition to other components. Gymnemic acid molecules are similar to the structure of glucose molecules. When gymnemic molecules fill the receptors on the tongue's taste buds, they prevent the activation of sugar molecules and thereby suppress sugar cravings.

In a similar way, by blocking the receptor locations of the sugar molecule absorptive layers of the intestine, gymnemic molecules also prevent absorption of sugar molecules in the intestine. This causes blood sugar levels to be low.

It has also been found that gymnema stimulates the pancreas to increase insulin secretion. Gymnema also increases glucose utilization by promoting enzymes that help in utilizing glucose. It reduces gluconeogenic enzymes and sorbitol dehydrogenase while increasing phosphorylase activity.

Research is also ongoing to determine if gymnema also helps to overcome insulin resistance which is one of the reasons for adult onset diabetes mellitus.

What are the other benefits of gymnema?

Gymnema leaves have also been shown to be used in cholesterol control. Gymnema lowers serum cholesterol and triglycerides.

Gymnema is also useful in fighting obesity. Obesity is generally caused by storage of fat molecules or triglycerides in the adipose layers. This decreases the insulin receptors causing insulin resistance and a decline in metabolism. In fact a new protein resistin has been discovered which is released by fat cells and causes insulin resistance. Nearly 80% of diabetic patients are obese and this could be the link. Gymnema by virtue of increasing glucose utilization and possibly lowering insulin resistance helps to control diabetes by controlling obesity.

What is the chemical composition of gymnema?

Gymnema sylvestre leaves and plant extract contain gymnemic acids, gymnemasaponins, gymnemasides, flavones, anthraquinones, hentri-acontane, pentatriacontane, a and ß-chlorophylls, phytin, resins, d-quercitol, tartaric acid, formic acid, butyric acid, lupeol, ß-amyrin related glycosides, stigmasterol and alkaloids.

Who can take Gymnema?

Gymnema is a herb and as such can be taken as a daily health supplement by anyone wishing to maintain optimum blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Gymnema is especially effective for controlling both types 1 and 2 Diabetes. Gymnema is also useful for those looking to lose weight. Himalaya Ayurslim's main components are gymnema and guggul.

What dosage of Gymnema should be taken?

Gymnema is available in capsules and tea form. One capsule of 250 mg taken twice daily with meals is recommended.

Pure Gymnema from Himalaya Herbals

Himalaya Gymnema is from the renowned Himalaya Herbals brand endorsed by over 250,000 doctors worldwide and used by customers in over 60 countries. Himalaya Herbals products have been researched clinically and standardized to guarantee bioequivalence. Bioequivalence refers to ensuring that the product on the market is equivalent to the one on which clinical trials were successfully conducted. Himalaya Herbal Healthcare uses chromatographic fingerprinting, one of the most sophisticated standardization techniques, to ensure consistent quality and performance

More Information on Gymnema and Diabetes

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References:

Kanetkar et al. J Clin Biochem and Nutr.2007 September; 41(2): 77–81.

Shanmugasundaram ER et al. J Ethnopharmacol 1990; 30: 281

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