Dianutracare Diabetes supplement uses Gymnema sylvestre to control blood sugar levels. This plant is native to the Indian subcontinent, specifically in India, Pakistan, China, Tibet, Nepal, and northern India. Gymnema sylvestre has a long history of use as a diabetes remedy.
Gymnema sylvestre has diuretic, laxative, anorectal, antiseptic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, sedative, stomachic, stimulant, carminative, threesome, astringent, balsamic vinegar, stomachic, preservative, stomach acid, laxative, anesthetic, anti-toxic, antiseptic, sedative, diuretic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, stimulant, carminative, threesome, stomach acid, alkaline, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iodine, iron, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, molybdenum, tannin, flavonoid, and saponin. Many of these ingredients are also found in Gymnema sylvetre bark and roots. Gymnema sylvetre leaf extract has been used to treat diabetes, but is now considered controversial due to reports of excessive side effects including liver damage. Some studies suggest that Gymnema can be useful for certain types of diabetes. However, this is based on very small sample sizes. There are no published trials on this supplement or on any other diabetes medication.
From the view abstract of the study, there were no other major effects on animals in the test group, although there were some minor abnormalities in one male rat and in one female rat. When examining the levels of glucose uptake and blood insulin levels in the animals, it was found that diabetic rats had higher blood glucose levels than non-diabetic rats. But there was no difference in the insulin sensitivity of the animals, which suggests that the effect of Gymnema sylvestre on diabetes is not specific. In another experiment using rats for diabetic rats, there was a trend for reduced uptake of glucose in diabetic rats. This could mean that Gymnema sylvestre affects sugar metabolism differently in humans, compared to animals. This is one of many experimental diabetes treatments that are currently being conducted.
This article is intended as a basic introduction to Gymnema sylvetre. There is ongoing debate about whether this herbal extract is effective as an anti-diabetic medicine, because no long-term controlled clinical trials have been conducted on humans. The few studies of animals suggest that it may be useful for reducing blood sugar levels and perhaps other complications such as liver disease and pancreatic cancer, but more studies must be conducted in humans. It is also important to mention that Gymnema sylvestre should not be used by diabetics or people with kidney disease, because it can cause severe liver damage.
