Guest guest Posted May 31, 2003 Report Share Posted May 31, 2003 Gymnema Sylvestre JoAnn Guest May 22, 2003 11:59 PDT GYMNEMA SYLVESTRE Gymnema Sylvestre (family Asclepiadaceae) is a woody climber that grows in tropical forests of the central and southern parts of India, it has been used as a treatment for diabetes mellitus since ancient times. The first scientific confirmation of this traditional use in human diabetics came almost 70 years ago when it was demonstrated that the leaves of GS reduced urine glucose in diabetics. Four years later it was shown that GS had a blood glucose lowering effect when there was residual pancreatic function, but was without effect on animals lacking pancreatic function, suggesting a direct effect on the pancreas. EVIDENCE OF A MIRACLE In 1990 a series of published studies on Gymnema Sylvestre Extract lifted this herb from interesting to revolutionary. To begin with, it was shown that the administration of Gymnema Sylvestre Extract to diabetic animals not only resulted in improved glucose homeostasis, this improvement was accompanied by regeneration of beta cells in the pancreas. In the words of the authors, " This herbal therapy appears to bring about blood glucose homeostasis through increased serum insulin levels provided by repair/regeneration of the endocrine pancreas. " To my knowledge, this is the only compound that has shown the ability to lessen indicators of diabetes by directly repairing/regenerating the pancreas cells responsible for producing insulin. As abnormalities in beta cell number and/or function are directly related to both Type I (insulin dependent) and Type II diabetes mellitus, it appeared that GS and Gymnema Sylvestre Extract was a major discovery in the battle against one of the most common disorders in the world. Also in 1990, this same research team published results on their treatment of both Type I and Type II diaetics and Gymnema Sylvestre Extract over a period of more than 2 years. In the case if Type II diabetics, Gymnema Sylvestre Extract resulted in significant reductions in blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, glycosylated plasma proteins, and conventional drug dosage. At the beginning of the study all participants were taking oral antidiabetic medication, and treatment with Gymnema Sylvestre Extract resulted not only in a lowering of oral medication necessity, but almost 25% of the participants were able to discontinue conventional oral medication and maintain blood glucose homeostasis with Gymnema Sylvestre Extract alone. Additionally, Gymnema Sylvestre Extract significantly improved cholesterol, triglyceride, and free fatty acid level's that were elevated in the study participants. According to Dr. Baskaran and Dr. Ahamath, of the Department of Biochemistry, Post-Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Madras, India, the therapeutic properties of Gymnema Sylvestre, an extract from the leaves of Gymnema Sylvestre, in controlling hyperglycaemia was investigated in 22 Type II diabetic patients on conventional oral anti-hyperglycaemic agents. Gymnema Sylvestre, 400 mg/day) was administered for 18-20 months as a supplement to the conventional oral drugs. During Gymnema Sylvestre supplementation, the patients showed a significant reduction in blood glucose, glycosylated haemolglobin and glycosylated plasma proteins, and conventional drug dosage could be decreased. Five of the 22 diabetic patients were able to discontinue their conventional drug and maintain their blood glucose homeostasis with Gymnema Sylvestre alone. These data suggest that the beta cells may be regenerated/repaired in Type II diabetic patients on Gymnema Sylvestre supplementation. This is supported by the appearance of raised insulin levels in the serum of patients after Gymnema Sylvestre supplementation. *Journal of Ethnopharmacology 1990;30; 295-300 http://home.istar.ca/~hlth2000/gymnema.html The complete " Whole Body " Health line consists of the " AIM GARDEN TRIO " Ask About Health Professional Support Series: AIM Barleygreen " Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future " http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/AIM.html Free online calendar with sync to Outlook. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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