Is Gymnema Sylvestre Gum an effective weight loss aid?

Gymnema sylvestre gum is promoted as a weight loss aid that reduces sugar cravings. While there is some preliminary research on the sugar craving-reducing power of gymnema sylvestre, the few clinical trials that have been conducted have focused on the herb as a component in weight and blood sugar management in diabetic patients. .

Gymnema sylvestre is one of the herbs that have been used in Ayurvedic medicine, widely practiced throughout India, to treat diabetes. However, herbs and botanicals are only one part of a complete treatment plan that Ayurvedic doctors would suggest for a diabetic patient.

This ancient form of medicine focuses on healing the body, mind, and spirit, using meditation, relaxation techniques, dietary guidelines, exercise regimens, aroma therapies, massage therapies, herbs, botanicals, and other natural healing therapies.

Advertisements for gymnema sylvestre gum are somewhat misleading in that they reference the herb’s use in Ayurvedic medicine, but fail to mention that it is only one herb that has been used and is only a small part of a treatment plan. complete for any condition. .

Advertisements say that gymnema sylvestre gum will help people lose weight by preventing sugar cravings, overeating, late-night binge eating, etc. There really is no evidence to support these claims. All the research that has been carried out was done using laboratory animals or diabetic patients. No consistent studies have been done in overweight people without diabetes. Consumers should beware of claims that seem “too good to be true” because they probably are.

Advertisers also mention scientific research on gymnema sylvestre reducing sugar cravings, but do not mention the details. To date, all but one small study of the research has been done using laboratory animals or evaluating the components of the herb. And in all of these studies, an extract of the herb, gymnema sylvestre gum, was used.

Preliminary research looks promising. Scientists have shown that, in laboratory animals, gymnema sylvestre “inhibits responses to sweet substances in rodents.” A component of the herb inhibits the absorption of oleic acid, one of the omega-9 fatty acids found in vegetable oil, animal fat, olive oil, and other sources of dietary fat. In animal models fed a diet containing the extract, there was a decrease in weight, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar levels.

While there has been a lot of research showing that gymnema sylvestre and other plants can lower blood sugar levels, there is no clear evidence to support gymnema sylvestre reducing sugar cravings. It appears that the herb may block the ability to “taste” sugar, but whether or not this would reduce cravings in humans is unknown. In a small study from the University of California, participants whose tongues were treated with gymnema sylvestre reported a reduction in the sugary taste.

If you are looking to lose weight and control blood sugar, a combination of botanical extracts including Banaba, bitter melon, chromium, and other “anti-diabetic” herbs will likely be more effective than Gymnema sylvestre gum alone. For more information on natural anti-diabetic compounds, visit the Type Two Diabetes Information Guide.