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. 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. Gymnema helps
support healthy
blood sugar levels. Gymnema sylvestre contains compounds known as gymnemic acids and tritepenoid
saponins, gymnemasins A, B, C and D.
Gymnema sylvestre leaves
have antibacterial compounds. Anti-allergic, antiviral, lipid lowering and other
effects are also reported. Rodent studies indicate that gymnema may have the
capacity to maintain healthy
cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
If you would like to eat less and have better blood cholesterol and blood sugar
control, consider Diet Rx appetite suppressant. See below for details.
What's in gymnema sylvestre
leaf extract?
Cinnamon 6 - 750 mg Cinnamon is one of the oldest remedies used in traditional
Chinese herbalism. Recent studies show cinnamon (Cinnamomum aromaticum) may
support healthy blood sugar levels when used as part of your diet, by activating
insulin and glucose transport and improving glucose metabolism. Additional herbs involved in sugar management include gymnema,
prickly pear, fenugreek, and bitter melon.
In addition to active saponin ingredients called gymnemic acids, gymnema sylvestre contains a number of
other saponins,anthraquinones, and flavonoid compounds including
kaempferol and quercetin.
Gymnema safety and side effects
A one year study on rodents given gymnema sylvestre did not show any toxicity.
Gymnema Sylvestre extract, 260 mg, 120 Tablets -
Source Naturals

Gymnema Sylvestre extract may help to maintain healthy blood sugar levels when
used as part of your diet. Gymnema 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. Source Naturals Gymnema Sylvestre extract is standardized
to 25% gymnemic acids, the same concentration used in clinical research.
Gymnema Sylvestre extract
Supplement Facts:
Serving Size: 1 Tablet
Gymnema Leaf Extract 25% - 260 mg
(Yielding 65 mg Gymnemic Acids)
Suggested Use: 2 gymnema tablets daily. Take 1 tablet after breakfast, and 1 after
dinner, or as recommended by your health care professional .
* Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract daily value not established
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Diet Rx for better blood sugar, cholesterol, and weight
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This natural
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Benefits of Diet Rx
All
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Helps you maintain healthy blood sugar levels
Helps you maintain healthy cholesterol and lipid levels
Provides a variety of antioxidant from two dozen herbs and nutrients
Provides healthy fiber
Improves energy
Balances mood
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Improves will power and choice of food selection
243 Tablets - Veggie caps
Herbal Promise

Cinnamon 6 Supplement Facts:
Serving Size: 9 Tablets
Amount Per Serving:
Calories 10
Carbohydrate 3 g
Dietary fiber 2 g
Chromium picolinate - 450 mcg
Proprietary blend 6750 mg:
Cinnamon , Gymnema
Sylvestre leaves (Gumar), Nopal (prickly
pear), American ginseng,
fenugreek herb, and
All the herbs used in this product are either organic, wild harvested, non-fumigated, non-irradiated, pesticide free and/or non-genetically altered.
Gymnema sylvestre for
diabetes mellitus
Antidiabetic effect of a leaf extract from
Gymnema sylvestre in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients.
Gymnema
sylvestre and weight loss
Decreased bodyweight without rebound and regulated lipoprotein metabolism by
gymnemate in genetic multifactor syndrome animal.
Mol Cell Biochem. 2007 May. Department of
Pathophysiological and Therapeutic Science, Division of Medical Biochemistry,
Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, 683-8503, Japan.
In our previous studies, gymnemate extracted from Gymnema sylvestre, inhibited
oleic acid absorption. The effect of gymnemate on obesity in Otsuka Long-Evans
Tokushima Fatty rat was investigated. Supplementation with gymnemate promoted
weight loss by its ability to reduce hyperlipidemia, which was no withdrawal
rebound: an important discovery. Supplementation with gymnemate is a novel
therapeutic tool for weight management, especially in multifactor syndrome.
Effect of administration with the extract of Gymnema sylvestre R. Br
leaves on lipid metabolism in rats.
Biol Pharm Bull. 2001 Jun;24(6):713-7.
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. As a result, Gymnema sylvestre did not influence 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 by
Gymnema sylvestre
in both diet groups. Furthermore,
Gymnema sylvestre decreased
the total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in serum. On the other hand, blood
lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity was increased by
Gymnema sylvestre.
Moreover, it was suggested that
Gymnema sylvestre
influenced cecal fermentation and that
propionic acid and acetic acid contents in cecum were significantly increased by
Gymnema. Consequently, it was suggested that
gymnema improved serum cholesterol and
triglyceride levels through influence over a wide range of lipid metabolism in
rats.
What's in gymnema sylvestre
leaf extract?
In addition to active saponin ingredients called gymnemic acids, gymnema sylvestre contains a number of
other saponins and flavonoid compounds including
kaempferol and quercetin.
Human studies
As of 2009, only two human studies have been published in the Western medical
literature regarding the role of gymnema herb extract when used by itself. Both
of these studies were done at the University of Madras in India. In one study,
an extract of the leaves of gymnema sylvestre was
administered to patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus on insulin
therapy. Results showed insulin requirements came down together with fasting blood glucose. The
researchers suggest gymnema therapy enhances endogenous insulin availability, possibly by
regeneration or revitalisation of the residual pancreatic beta cells. These are
cells that make insulin in the pancreas. In the second study, diabetic
patients on conventional oral hypoglycaemic medications were given an extract of
gymnema for 20 months as a
supplement to the conventional oral medications. During gymnema supplementation, the patients showed
a significant reduction in blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin and glycosylated
plasma proteins. Another benefit was that conventional blood sugar-lowering drug dosage
was decreased. Five of the 22
diabetic patients were able to discontinue their conventional medications. The
researchers say that these data suggest that the beta cells may be
regenerated or repaired in Type 2 diabetic patients on gymnema sylvestre supplementation.
Rodent and lab studies
Gymnema sylvestre leaf extracts
have been found to have antibacterial, anti-allergic, antiviral, and lipid lowering effects
when tested on rodents or in lab studies.
However human studies are much more reliable when it comes to herbal and
medication testing and the above benefits may or may not occur in humans.
Gymnema safety and side effects
A one year study on rodents given gymnema sylvestre did not show any toxicity.
Limited human studies also confirm the safety of gymnema herb 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 the use of this herb.
How is Gymnema 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
Gymnema Sylvestre extract may help to maintain healthy blood sugar levels when
used as part of a healthy diet. Gymnema 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, chromium, banaba, psyllium, alpha lipoic acid, 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.
Gymnema sylvestre supplement
questions
Q. I am contacting you regarding Gymnema sylvestre supplement. Is this
product safe for a diabetic who has had a kidney transplant? It is important to
know these facts before trying this product. The anti-rejection medicines that
my husband is taking include Cellcept, Prograf and prednisone.
A. I have not seen studies regarding the use of gymnema sylvestre
herb in patients who have had a kidney transplant, therefore it is not easy to
give an answer. Cellcept (mycophenolate mofetil) is used to prevent rejection of
a kidney. Prograf (tacrolimus) is indicated for the prophylaxis of organ
rejection in patients receiving allogeneic liver, kidney, or heart transplants.
I am not aware of studies regarding the interaction of gymnema sylvestre or
other herbs used for diabetes with these medications.