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Gymnema Sylvestre
•Last Updated: January 11, 2024
Gymnema sylvestre (GS) is a plant in the Gymnema genus of the Asclepiadaceae family. It has been used in ayurvedic medicine and homeopathy to treat multiple conditions, including arthritis, asthma, and snake bites. Today, it is most commonly used as a supplement to help regulate blood sugar levels.
Gymnema Sylvestre is most often used for
Last Updated:January 11, 2024
Gymnema sylvestre is a woody plant native to Southeast Asia and India; it is traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine for various conditions, including blood sugar reduction. Its popularity has increased as a supplement for managing diabetes, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome.
Gymnema sylvestre may improve glycemic control and blood lipids and potentially reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Some evidence also suggests that it may help with stomach ulcers.
The main drawbacks of Gymnema sylvestre include mild side effects (such as diarrhea and headaches), potential hypoglycemia, and limited safety data, particularly in humans. Additionally, variations in plant preparations and possible interactions with medications, especially those for diabetes, complicate its safety evaluation.
Gymnema sylvestre reduces blood glucose through mechanisms such as inhibiting intestinal glucose absorption and stimulating insulin production in the pancreas. It may improve blood lipids by increasing pancreatic lipase levels and fat excretion, and its anti-inflammatory and antiulcer properties are associated with compounds that inhibit gastric acid secretion and regulate gastric emptying.
Note that Gymnema Sylvestre is also known as:
- Gurmar
- Cowplant
- Periploca of the woods
Dosages used in research range from 400 mg per day up to 10 grams per day. The most frequent recommendation from manufacturers of GS supplements is to take a 100 mg tablet 3–4 times daily. While this dosage is likely to be safe for most people, an evidence-based dosage has not yet been established.[1]
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- ^Devangan S, Varghese B, Johny E, Gurram S, Adela RThe effect of Gymnema sylvestre supplementation on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Phytother Res.(2021-Dec)
- ^Khan F, Sarker MMR, Ming LC, Mohamed IN, Zhao C, Sheikh BY, Tsong HF, Rashid MAComprehensive Review on Phytochemicals, Pharmacological and Clinical Potentials of .Front Pharmacol.(2019)
- ^Pothuraju R, Sharma RK, Chagalamarri J, Jangra S, Kumar Kavadi PA systematic review of Gymnema sylvestre in obesity and diabetes management.J Sci Food Agric.(2014-Mar-30)
- ^Zamani M, Ashtary-Larky D, Nosratabadi S, Bagheri R, Wong A, Rafiei MM, Asiabar MM, Khalili P, Asbaghi O, Davoodi SHThe effects of Gymnema Sylvestre supplementation on lipid profile, glycemic control, blood pressure, and anthropometric indices in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Phytother Res.(2023-Mar)
- ^Marakis G, Ziegenhagen R, Lampen A, Hirsch-Ernst KIRisk assessment of substances used in food supplements: the example of the botanical .EFSA J.(2018-Aug)
- ^Shiyovich A, Sztarkier I, Nesher LToxic hepatitis induced by Gymnema sylvestre, a natural remedy for type 2 diabetes mellitus.Am J Med Sci.(2010-Dec)
- ^Loyola-Velez, A et alDrug-Induced Autoimmune-Like Hepatitis Secondary to Gymnema SylvestreAm. J. Gastroenterol..(2022-10)
- ^Yasukawa K, Okuda S, Nobushi YInhibitory Effects of Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre) Leaves on Tumour Promotion in Two-Stage Mouse Skin Carcinogenesis.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.(2014)
- ^Fatani AJ, Al-Rejaie SS, Abuohashish HM, Al-Assaf A, Parmar MY, Ola MS, Ahmed MMNeuroprotective effects of on streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathy in rats.Exp Ther Med.(2015-May)
- ^Fushiki T, Kojima A, Imoto T, Inoue K, Sugimoto EAn extract of Gymnema sylvestre leaves and purified gymnemic acid inhibits glucose-stimulated gastric inhibitory peptide secretion in rats.J Nutr.(1992-Dec)
- ^Arun LB, Arunachalam AM, Arunachalam KD, Annamalai SK, Kumar KAIn vivo anti-ulcer, anti-stress, anti-allergic, and functional properties of gymnemic acid isolated from Gymnema sylvestre R Br.BMC Complement Altern Med.(2014-Feb-22)
- ^Sophie Turner, Charles Diako, Rozanne Kruger, Marie Wong, Warrick Wood, Kay Rutherfurd-Markwick, Eric Stice, Ajmol AliThe Effect of a 14-Day gymnema sylvestre Intervention to Reduce Sugar Cravings in AdultsNutrients.(2022 Dec 12)
- ^Sabrina Basciani, Maurizio Nordio, Simona Dinicola, Vittorio Unfer, Lucio GnessiDiet Plus Inositols, α-Lactalbumin and Gymnema sylvestre: The Successful Combo to Restore Body Weight and Metabolic Profile in Obese and Dysmetabolic PatientsNutrients.(2023 Jul 14)
- ^Turner S, Diako C, Kruger R, Wong M, Wood W, Rutherfurd-Markwick K, Ali AConsuming Reduces the Desire for High-Sugar Sweet Foods.Nutrients.(2020-Apr-10)
- Triglycerides - Zamani M, Ashtary-Larky D, Nosratabadi S, Bagheri R, Wong A, Rafiei MM, Asiabar MM, Khalili P, Asbaghi O, Davoodi SHThe effects of Gymnema Sylvestre supplementation on lipid profile, glycemic control, blood pressure, and anthropometric indices in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Phytother Res.(2023-Mar)