Gymnema sylvestre herb grows in South-east Asia. Its therapeutic role in relation to diabetes mellitus, rheumatic arthritis, weight management and gout have been well known for a long time by Ayurvedic doctors in India. Extracts of this plant are widely used in Australian, Japanese, Vietnamese and Indian folk medicine. However, gymnema is best known for its benefits in diabetes. It helps support healthy blood sugar levels. Gymnema sylvestre contains compounds known as gymnemic acids and tritepenoid saponins, gymnemasins A, B, C and D.
   The leaves have antibacterial compounds. Anti-allergic, antiviral, lipid lowering and other effects are also reported. Rodent studies indicate that the use of this herbal extract may have the capacity to maintain healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

buy Gymnema Sylvestre extract, 400 mg, 90 Tablets

Gymnema Sylvestre has been used traditionally in India for centuries and has been shown in research to support healthy glucose metabolism by mediation of insulin release and activity and enhancement of healthy pancreatic function. This extract is standardized to 25% gymnemic acids, the same concentration used in clinical research. In addition to active saponin ingredients called gymnemic acids, the herb contains a number of other saponins,anthraquinones, and flavonoid compounds including kaempferol and quercetin.

Supplement Facts:
Serving Size: 1 Tablet
Gymnema Leaf 400 mg

Suggested Use:  2 gymnema tablets daily. Take 1 tablet after breakfast, and 1 after dinner, or as recommended by your health care professional.

Buy Gymnema Sylvestre supplement

Cholesterol and lipids
Effect of administration with the extract of Gymnema sylvestre leaves on lipid metabolism in rats.
Biol Pharm Bull. 2001.
Extract of Gymnema sylvestre R. Br leaves was orally administered once a day to rats fed a high fat diet or normal fat diet for 3 weeks to investigate its influence on lipid metabolism. There was no influence on body weight gain or feed intake in both diet groups during the experimental period. The apparent fat digestibility was significantly decreased by Gymnema sylvestre in both diet groups for the last 2 weeks of the experimental period, though not the apparent protein digestibility. In addition, the excretion of neutral sterols and acid steroids into feces was increased in both diet groups. The herb improved serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels through influence over a wide range of lipid metabolism in rats.

Gymnema safety and side effects
A one year study on rodents did not show any toxicity. Limited human studies also confirm its safety when used for about a year or two. Doctors in India who have extensive experience with this herb have not mentioned any major side effects with its use.

Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract: a 52-week dietary toxicity study in Wistar rats
Center for Biological Safety and Research, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kamiyoga, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
A 52-week study of oral-repeated-dose toxicity for the extraction powder of Gymnema sylvestre, Indian-native genus, Metaplexis japonica, was conducted in both genders of Wistar rats. The rats were administered a graded dose of the plant at 0.01, 0.10 and 1% of basal powder diet, along with a group fed solely with the basal powder diet without gymnema. At 26 weeks, for an intermediate examination, and 52 weeks, for the final examination, animals were subjected to hematology, serum chemistry, and pathological examination. None of the animals died in the period up to 52 weeks. No exposure-related changes in body-weight, in the food consumption, in the hematological examinations, or in the serum biochemical examinations were recognized. No histopathological alterations were seen. Thus, it was concluded that there was no toxic effect in rats treated with gymnema at up to 1% in the diet for 52 weeks.

How is the herb available
Gymnema Sylvestre extract is often standardized to 25% gymnemic acids. Each tablet or capsule usually has between 200 to 300 mg and most users take one or two pills a day with breakfast or lunch.

Summary and review
Gymnema extract may help to maintain healthy blood sugar levels when used as part of a healthy diet. It has been used traditionally in India for centuries and has been shown in research to support healthy glucose metabolism by mediation of insulin release and activity and enhancement of healthy pancreatic function. Perhaps some diabetics may be able to reduce their required dosage of blood sugar lowering medications, but a few more studies would be helpful to confirm these early promises.
   There are a number of natural supplements potentially useful for diabetes including cinnamon , nopal (prickly pear), American ginseng, chromium, banaba, psyllium, alpha lipoic acid, fenugreek herb, and bitter melon. The best way to use these supplements or how to combine them and in what dosages remains to be investigated. In the meantime, some patients, in consultation with their doctors, are trying these options one a time to see how each supplement influences their blood sugar levels.