Gymnema Sylvestre is a slow-growing perennial climber out of central India. It is an Ayurvedic herb that has been used for centuries to offer benefits for blood sugar regulation and is now a well-known and commonly used natural remedy to benefit both type I and type II Diabetes.

Understanding How Gymnema Works In The Body

It is believed that Gymnema exerts its sugar-regulating effects by blocking the absorption of glucose within the intestine, preventing it from getting into the bloodstream. Gymnemic acids, which are considered the active component of Gymnema, compete with sugar at receptor sites, decreasing the amount of glucose that can bind and that is ultimately absorbed. This also serves to prevent the post-meal spike in blood sugar that can be damaging for pre-diabetics and diabetics alike.

Gymnema Sylvestre Diabetes Benefits

Type I Diabetes, once referred to as Juvenile Onset Diabetes, has a different pathophysiology and is often much more difficult to treat by natural means. Studies have found that gymnema can reduce the amount of insulin required by these individuals, and can significantly lower serum lipids levels (often found to be high in Type I sufferers). The herb may even act to repair the beta cells of the pancreas to a certain degree, causing these cells to begin producing their insulin.

Key Health Benefits of Gymnema Sylvestre

Gymnema is also included in many weight loss combinations, as it is said to decrease the sweet taste of sugar, and therefore, decrease cravings for sweet (and maybe not so easy on the waistline) treats. It does this by blocking the glucose receptors on the tongue, similar to its effects in the gut. It has also been used for allergies, anemia, indigestion and hyperactivity, although much less widely studied for these purposes.

Gymnema Sylvestre Supplement Varieties

Gymnema can be found in liquid (tincture) form, capsule, or often combined with other herbs and anti-oxidants specific to blood sugar regulation and prevention of systemic effects of dysglycemia. Gymnema is recommended at a dose of 400-800 mg/day.

Potential Side Effects & Considerations of Gymnema

There are no known safety or toxicity issues with the use of Gymnema. It may be wise to closely monitor your blood sugar levels when initiating treatment with gymnema, especially if already taking pharmaceutical medication aimed at lowering blood sugar, to avoid a state of hypoglycemia.