Gymnema's therapeutic uses
Gymnema sylvestre, commonly known as gurmar, is a natural plant product with therapeutic uses primarily associated with diabetes management. This herb, native to India, has a unique property of blocking the sensation of sweetness when placed on the tongue and may help regulate blood sugar levels when ingested. Historically utilized in Ayurvedic medicine for nearly two thousand years, gymnema has gained traction in modern health practices, particularly in the U.S., as a supportive treatment for diabetes.
Research has indicated that gymnema may lower blood sugar levels and enhance insulin production, showing promise as a complementary supplement rather than a replacement for insulin or oral diabetes medications. Additionally, gymnema is recognized for its potential benefits in weight management, appetite suppression, cholesterol reduction, and digestive health support. While generally considered safe at proper dosages, there are concerns regarding its effects on blood sugar levels, necessitating medical supervision for those with diabetes, especially when combined with other medications. Overall, gymnema presents a multifaceted approach to managing several health conditions, warranting further exploration for those interested in natural health solutions.
Gymnema's therapeutic uses
- DEFINITION: Natural plant product used to treat specific health conditions.
- PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USE: Diabetes
- OTHER PROPOSED USES: Weight management, reduce cholesterol, anti-inflammatory, digestive health
Overview
Native to the forests of India, Gymnema sylvestre (also called gurmar) has a coincidental double relationship to sugar: when placed on the tongue, it blocks the sensation of sweetness, and when taken internally, it might help control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. (There does not seem to be any connection between these two uses.)
Practitioners of Ayurveda, India's traditional medicine, first used gymnema to treat diabetes almost two thousand years ago. In the 1920s, preliminary scientific studies found some evidence that gymnema leaves could reduce blood sugar levels, but nothing much came of this observation for decades. Research in India picked up again in the 1980s and 1990s, leading to the publication of promising preliminary studies in people.
Therapeutic Dosages
Gymnema is usually taken at a dosage of 400 to 600 milligrams daily of an extract standardized to contain 24 percent gymnemic acid.
Therapeutic Uses
Gymnema has become increasingly popular in the United States as a supportive treatment for diabetes. Double-blind, placebo-controlled studies can prove a treatment effective, and an increasing amount have been reported for gymnema in the twenty-first century. These studies have determined the potential of gymnema to lower blood sugar levels and increase insulin production, showing promise in gymnema’s ability to be an effective supplement for patients with diabetes.
Gymnema is advocated as a support to standard treatment, not as a replacement. The herb cannot be used as a substitute for insulin treatment, and it has not been proven strong enough to be used in lieu of oral diabetes medications. There are also potential risks involved in adding gymnema to an existing treatment regimen.
Studies have shown that gymnema is beneficial for managing cholesterol and triglyceride levels, reducing the risk of heart disease. It has also been shown to effectively curb sugar cravings. Therefore, it may be beneficial for weight loss because it suppresses appetite and reduces fat absorption. Also, it has been suggested to support digestive health and help conditions such as constipation. Finally, gymnema has overall anti-inflammatory properties, which can help protect against free radicals that lead to chronic health conditions.
Safety Issues
When used in appropriate dosages, gymnema appears to be fairly safe, although extensive studies have not been performed. One obvious risk is that if gymnema is successful, it may lower blood sugar levels too much, causing a dangerous hypoglycemic reaction. For this reason, medical supervision is essential. Safety in young children, pregnant or nursing women, and those with severe kidney or liver disease has not been established.
Important Interactions
For people who are taking insulin or oral medications to reduce blood sugar levels, gymnema might cause these medications to work even better, potentially causing hypoglycemia. Therefore, individuals may need to reduce their doses of medication. Further, patients should avoid St. John’s wort and aspirin for similar reasons.
Bibliography
Christiansen, Sherry. "The Health Benefits of Gymnema Sylvestre." Verywell Health, 22 Sept. 2024, www.verywellhealth.com/gymnema-sylvestre-4692940. Accessed 23 Sept. 2024.
Goodson, Amy. "6 Impressive Health Benefits of Gymnema Sylvestre." Healthline, 14 July 2023, www.healthline.com/nutrition/gymnema-sylvestre-benefits. Accessed 23 Sept. 2024.
Joffe, D. J., and S. H. Freed. "Effect of Extended Release Gymnema sylvestre Leaf Extract Alone or in Combination with Oral Hypoglycemics or Insulin Regimens for Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes." Diabetes Control Newsletter, vol. 76, no. 1, 2001, pp. 1-4.
Khan, Farzana, et al. "Comprehensive Review on Phytochemicals, Pharmacological and Clinical Potentials of Gymnema Sylvestre." Frontiers in Pharmacology, vol. 10, 2019, p. 474326, doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2019.01223. Accessed 23 Sept. 2024.
Tiwari, Pragya, et al. "Gymnema Sylvestre for Diabetes: From Traditional Herb to Future's Therapeutic." Current Pharmaceutical Design, vol. 23, no. 11, 2017, pp. 1667-1676. doi:10.2174/1381612823666161108162048.