Ingredient Spotlight: Gymnema Sylvestre

Diabetes rates have almost quadrupled globally over the past three decades.[1] This is due to a combination of factors, including increasingly sedentary lifestyles and easier access to high-calorie foods.

Combatting the onset and progression of diabetes has become a major focus of health groups around the world. At the heart of the fight against diabetes is focusing on proper diet, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy body composition.

Additionally, certain supplements may offer benefits for those looking to support healthy blood sugar levels as well as those looking to improve athletic performance, aesthetics, and muscle recovery.

Today, we look at one particularly intriguing supplement that supports healthy blood sugar levels -- gymnema sylvestre.

Gymnema Sylvestre

Found in regions of India, Australia, and Africa, gymnema sylvestre is slow-growing, perennial, woody vine with a long history of use in Ayurveda for dealing with such ailments as inflammation, asthma, malaria, snakebites, and diabetes.[2]

The plant is also known to possess antihypercholesterolemic as well as hepatoprotective properties.[2]

What Are the Benefits of Gymnema Sylvestre?

Helps Lower Blood Sugar Levels

Gymnema sylvestre has garnered a reputation as an anti-diabetic botanical. In fact, the Hindi word for gymnema is gurmar, which means “destroyer of sugar.”

The main bioactive compound in gymnema (gymnemic acids) have been found to possess antidiabetic, anti sweetener and anti-inflammatory activities.[2]

(Molecular structure of Gymnemic Acid)

More specifically, gymnemic acid molecules fill the receptor location in the absorptive external layers of the intestine.[3] As a result, sugar molecule absorption in the intestines is reduced, which results in lower blood sugar levels.

Additional studies have found that supplementing with between 200-400mg of may help reduce how much glucose is absorbed.[4]

May Help Reduce Sugar Cravings

Many of us struggle to limit how many sweet treats we enjoy, especially during the holiday seasons.

Fortunately, gymnema may be able to help reduce sugar cravings.

Research indicates that the main bioactive component of gymnema (gymnemic acids) may help block the sugar receptors on taste buds, which can help suppress sweetness.[2]

In fact, studies indicate that supplementing with gymnema sylvestre may help reduce the ability to taste sweetness, which could make it less appealing to consume sweet treats.[2,5]

Supports Favorable Insulin Levels

Beyond its sweetness and glucose-lowering benefits, gymnema may also help foster favorable insulin production in the body. Insulin is one of the most important hormones of the body, especially if you’re looking to build muscle, combat muscle breakdown and support cardiometabolic health.

Insulin’s primary role is to shuttle nutrients (particularly glucose) into cells so that the body can maintain healthy, stable levels of glucose in the blood. Beyond that, insulin also helps combat muscle breakdown as it opposes the actions of cortisol. This indirectly supports muscle growth (which is ultimately determined by the balance of protein breakdown vs protein synthesis).

Gymnema sylvestre may help stimulate insulin production, thereby encouraging the regeneration of islet cells (insulin-producing cells in the pancreas).

Supports Cardiovascular Health

Studies suggest that gymnema sylvestre may help prevent the accumulation of triglycerides in muscle and liver cells. Additionally, it may also reduce fatty acid accumulation in circulation.[6]

Furthermore, research in obese individuals notes that supplementing with gymnema extracts may lower triglycerides and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol while also raising HDL (“good”) cholesterol.[7]

Where Can I Find Gymnema Sylvestre?

SlinMax contains 1,000mg Gymnema Sylvestre extract (standardized for 25% gymnemic acids).

Each serving of our best-selling nutrient partitioning complex also includes prominent glucose utilization agents such as Berberine, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Chromium, and Banaba.

Taken together, the ingredients in SlinMax offer an unparalleled approach to supporting optimal carbohydrate utilization for steady energy levels, less fat storage, better performance, and maximum pumps!

Get 10% OFF SlinMax with Code SLIN10 at Checkout

References

1. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-72501-w
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2170951/
3. Sahu N., Mahato S.B., Sarkar S.K., Poddar G. Triterpenoid Saponins from Gymnema sylvestre. Phytochem. 1996;41:1181–1185.
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27834124/
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6836034/
6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24166097/
7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15056124/