Application and Uses of Gymnema sylvestre and Gymnemic acid.
Contents
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- Botanical Basic Data of Gymnema Sylvestre.
- Parts used and Habitat of Gymnema sylvestre.
- Phytochemicals and Structure of Gymnema sylvestre.
- Application and Uses of Gymnema sylvestre and Gimnemic Acid.
- Gymnema:Diabetes.Lipid-lowering.Weight loss.
- Gymnema and its administration.
- Research Update:Gymnema.
Application and Uses of Gymnema sylvestre and Gimnemic Acid.:
Primary Uses:Diabetes, Hyperactivity, Hypoglycemia
Secondary Uses:Allergies, Anemia, Cholesterol/high, Gastric Disorders, Indigestion, Obesity, Weight Related Conditions
General use:In the past, powdered gymnema root was used to treat snake bites, constipation, stomach complaints, water retention, and liver disease. However, the Hindu word gurmar best describes the primary use of gymnema. Gurmar means sugar destroyer, and it has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years to treat adult-onset diabetes, a condition once described as "honey urine."
Gymnema is also known by the names Gymnema Silvestre, Gurmar, Gurmabooti, Rams Horn, Periploca of the Woods, and Meshasringi. Gymnema is a climbing plant that grows in the tropical forests of central and southern India. The woody Gymnema plant also grows in parts of Africa. Leaves of this long, slender plant have been used for more than 2,000 years. The leaves, when chewed, interfere with the ability to taste sweetness, which explains the Hindu name "gurmar". In the past, powdered Gymnema root was used to treat snake bites, constipation, stomach complaints, water retention, and liver disease. However, the name Gurmar best describes the primary use of Gymnema - because "gurmar" means "sugar destroyer". This herb has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years to treat adult-onset diabetes, a condition once described as "honey urine." The hypoglycemic (blood sugar lowering) action of Gymnema leaves was first documented in the late 1920s. This action is gradual in nature, differing from the rapid effect of many prescription hypoglycemic drugs. Gymnema leaves raise insulin levels, according to research in healthy volunteers. Based on animal studies, this may be due to regeneration of the cells in the pancreas that secrete insulin. Other animal research shows that Gymnema can also improve uptake of glucose into cells and prevent adrenaline from stimulating the liver to produce glucose, thereby reducing blood sugar levels. The leaves are also noted for lowering serum cholesterol and triglycerides.
Its principal constituent is gymnemic acid which has anti-diabetic properties. The plant is stomachic, stimulant, laxative and diuretic. It abolishes the taste of sugar and is believed to neutralize excessive sugar present in the body in diabetes mellitus. The leaf extracts contain gymnemic acid which is said to inhibit hyperglycemia. It has also been shown to have a regenerative effect on pancreatic beta cells and is insulinotropic.
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How Gymnema sylvestre Works:
Recent pharmacological and clinical studies have shown that Gymnema sylvestre acts on two sites:
First, the taste buds in the oral cavity;
Second, the absorptive surface to the intestines.
The structure of those taste buds which detect sugar in the mouth is similar to the structure of the tissue that absorbs sugar in the intestine. The important active ingredient of Gymnema sylvestre is an organic acid called "gymnemic acid." The gymnemic acid is made up of molecules who seatom arrangement is similar to that of glucose molecules. Those molecules fill the receptor locations on the taste buds for a period of one to two hours, thereby preventing the taste buds from being activated by any sugar molecules present in the food. Similarly, the glucose-like molecules in the gymnemic acid fill the receptor locations in the absorptive external layers of the intestine, thereby preventing the intestine from absorbing the sugar molecules.
It has also been noted that Gymnema sylvestre takes away the bitter taste of bitter substances, such as quinine, in much the same way that it affects the sense of sweetness associated with candies and other sweet foods. However, it has no effect on pungent, salty, astringent or acidic tastes. Therefore, if you are eating an orange within two hours after chewing Gymnema sylvestre leaves, for instance, you would taste the sourness of it but not the sweetness.
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Historical or traditional use:
Indian physicians first used Gymnema to treat diabetes almost 2,000 years ago. In the 1920s, preliminary scientific studies found some evidence that Gymnema leaves can reduce blood sugar levels, but nothing much came of this observation for decades. Today, Gymnema has become increasingly popular in the United States as a supportive treatment for diabetes.
The leaves of Gymnema sylvestre have been used for centuries in the traditional Indian System of Ayurvedic medicine. Gymnema has been used in India for the treatment of diabetes for over 2,000 years. The leaves were also used for stomach ailments, constipation, water retention, and liver disease.
The term "destroyer of sugar" is traditionally used for Gymnema because chewing the leaves will abolish the taste of sweetness.
Gymnema sylvestre has been used for thousands of years and has proven over time to be a non-toxic remedy. It is used for many conditions including diabetes, digestion, urinary tract problems, obesity, hypoglycemia, allergies, anemia, cholesterol and hyperactivity.
The leaves are also noted for lowering serum cholesterol and triglycerides. While studies have shown that a water-soluble acidic fraction of the leaves provides hypoglycemic actions, the specific constituent responsible for this action has not been clearly identified. Some researchers have suggested gymnemic acid as one possible candidate. However, further research is needed to clearly determine which constituent is responsible for this effect. Gurmarin, another constituent of the leaves, and gymnemic acid have been shown to block the ability in humans to taste sweets.
Research has confirmed that the active ingredient, gymnemic acid, blocks the taste of sugar as well as blocking sugar's absorption by the body.
A study published in 1986 suggests that the extract of gymnema can significantly increase liver and pancreatic function. This is promising for diabetes, obesity, hypoglycemia, allergies, anemia and osteoporosis.
Some of the most promising studies have shown that gymnema reduces blood sugar levels after the consumption of the extract. This may help to reduce the amount of insulin needed by diabetics.
Stabilizes blood sugar levels:
Is an herb that reduces blood sugar levels after sugar consumption.
Can block absorption of up to 50% of dietary sugar calories.
Why Gymnema Sylvestre?:
Gymnema Sylvestre - controlling the blood sugar level
Gymnema Sylvestre - to help maintain healthy glucose levels
Gymnema Sylvestre - glucose lowering properties
Gymnema Sylvestre - to promote proper pancreatic function
Physiological Functions of Gymnemic acid:
Gymnemic acid combined with the recognized site of sugar, and so it prevents sugar from combining with the site. It have suppressive activity of absorption of sugar. The following effects have been reported.
Gymnemic acid help controlling sweet taste
Gymnemic acid help controlling absorption of sugar in the body
Gymnemic acid depress appetite and cause weight reduction
Gymnemic acid restoring pancreas functions
Gymnemic acid also show nti-tooth decaying effect
Applications of Gymnemic acid and Gymnema Sylvestre Extracts:
For health food for diet
Prevention of diabetes
For protection of decayed tooth processed in foods
Research indicates this amazing herb has positive benefits on blood sugar control, helps with sugar cravings and to regenerate the pancreas. In tests on diabetic rats, the pancreas doubled in size and grew new insulin-producing cells.
In clinical studies of animals with diabetes, gymnema sylvestre also appeared to reduce body weight, blood cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. Although the exact reasons are not clear, it is believed that gymnema sylvestre blocks the absorption of dietary fats into the bloodstream. Possibly, more fats are then eliminated instead of being stored. Some individuals taking gymnema sylvestre for diabetes have also seen a reduction in cholesterol and/or weight, but no human studies of gymnema sylvestre potential cholesterol-lowering or anti-obesity effects have been reported. All the potential uses of gymnema sylvestre need more study before it can be recommended for medical use.
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Contemporary uses of gymnema:
Currently, gymnema is known primarily for its sugar-blocking properties. It is used to treat high blood sugar in diabetics and has been promoted as a weight loss remedy. In India, gymnema has been used by both Type I and Type II diabetics, but is used mainly to treat Type II diabetics.
Some clinical trials in India indicated that gymnema could help with both types of diabetes. During the 1990s, Type II diabetics in India were studied, and gymnema proved successful for lowering blood sugar with continuous use for 18 to 24 months. In another study, people diagnosed as juvenile diabetics took gymnema along with insulin. In some cases, people were able to reduce their dosages of insulin.
In mid-2002, a U.S. clinical trial was reported to further support gymnema's use in managing Type I diabetes. Of those participating in the trial, about 16% were able to decrease usage of their prescription medication usage. The same research group also found gymnema beneficial for non-insulin dependent diabetics. While those results appeared promising, medical professionals caution that more research is still needed. That research would include double-blind studies and involve more people.
Practical Uses of gymnema:
The benefits of Gymnema sylvestre are two-fold:
By suppressing the taste of sweet foods, the desire to eat them is also suppressed. Picture a luscious-looking large piece of chocolate candy, which you know, despite the tempting look, is not sweet. Why bother to eat it? It is important to remember that this effect of Gymnema sylvestre's will last for only one to two hours. If you are using the herb to break the sugar habit, then it would be wise to take some Gymnema sylvestre before social events or other times when you might be tempted to dive into the tray of sweets.
Gymnema sylvestre significantly reduces the metabolic effects of sugar by preventing the intestines from absorbing the sugar molecules during the process of digestion. Because there is a change in the absorption of sugar, there is a consequent change in the blood sugar level.
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Pharmacological actions:
Blood Sugar Balance is made of the root and leaf of the plant Gymnema or its extraction. Its functions can explain as follow:
1). The Gymnema molecular structure is similar to the dextrose molecular structure. Its affinity with sugar molecular acceptor is 20 times more than dextrose. The acceptor that can absorb sugar in the small intestine cannot absorb sugar when occupied by Gymnema. As the result, the blood sugar consistency plays down.
2). As same reason, Gymnema can act on the taste buds in the tongue. The tongue feels no sweet taste when chewing Gymnema and candy at the same time.
3). The blood sugar is controlled by insulin, and the insulin is produced by b-cells in the pancreas. Usually, in the adult diabetic, the b-cell had been damaged and the Gymnema can help the b-cell regenerate and thus lesson the diabetic symptoms. Therefore Blood Sugar Balance and Blood Sugar Balance II are effective for both dependent (infant) and adult diabetics.
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Reference:
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- 1.Application and Uses of Gymnema sylvestre and Gymnemic acid.
Article Information:
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