Gymnema Sylvestre for Blood Sugar

Traditional Indian herb gymnema sylvestre may help lower elevated blood sugar levels.

Gymnema sylvestre is a tropical plant with medicinal properties. Gymnema has been suggested to help control blood sugar by:

• Reducing sugar absorption. Gymnema has been shown to reduce the absorption of sugar in the digestive tract.
• Supporting beta cell function. Gymnema may increase insulin secretion and even regenerate insulin-producing beta cells.
• Enhancing sugar metabolism. Compounds in gymnema may be capable of enhancing the usage of sugar for energy.

With that said, evidence for gymnema sylvestre is still inconclusive. A lot of the research comes from rats. We need more high-quality human clinical trials to determine how effective gymnema sylvestre really is.

Make sure to purchase gymnema sylvestre from a reputable brand, as quality can vary a lot.

Overview

Gymnema sylvestre is a woody vine native to India and tropical Africa. It is known as “Meshasringa” in India, where it has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine. Gymnema’s traditional uses include the treatment of diabetes, asthma, eye issues, inflammation, cough suppression, and digestive issues.

Gymnema is also known as the “sugar destroyer” because chewing its leaves prevents you from tasting sweetness. As such, it’s not surprising that researchers have uncovered hypoglycemic properties in this plant.

Today, gymnema supplements are most commonly used by diabetics to lower their blood sugar levels. But while animal research is promising, more human studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness.

How Gymnema Sylvestre Might Help With Blood Sugar

Gymnema contains a number of bioactive compounds with anti-diabetic properties. The most important of these are called gymnemic acids. Other potential blood sugar-lowering compounds in gymnema include cumarins, flavonoids and terpenoids. These compounds work by:

Reducing glucose absorption

The most research-backed explanation for the hypoglycemic effects of gymnema is reduced dietary sugar absorption. Gymnemic acids are capable of binding to receptors in the intestine, preventing the absorption of glucose.² In turn, this leads to less glucose reaching the bloodstream.

Improving beta cell function

Another possible mechanism is improved insulin release and regeneration of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. ³

Enhancing glucose metabolism

Finally, compounds from gymnema may be capable of increasing the usage of glucose for energy by stimulating enzymes involved in glucose metabolism. ⁴

Gymnema Sylvestre Uses & Benefits for Blood Sugar

Gymnema supplements are widely used by individuals with hyperglycemia, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes to help lower their blood sugar levels.

This use is backed by animal research demonstrating reduction of blood sugar levels in hyperglycemic and diabetic rodents. In addition, what few clinical studies have been done seem to confirm these benefits in humans.

Nonetheless, more high-quality research is needed to fully explore gymnema’s blood sugar benefits.

Research

Animal Research

Rodent studies of gymnema sylvestre report reductions in blood sugar levels and related benefits. Specific findings indicate that:

• Gymnema may improve blood glucose levels and glucose tolerance in type 2 diabetic rats ^{6 7}
• Gymnemic acids appear to reduce glucose absorption in the digestive tract, and result in reduced blood glucose levels in obese, hyperglycemic rats ⁸

Human Research

Human studies of gymnema sylvestre suggest that it can reduce elevated blood sugar levels in both type 1 and type 2 diabetics.

Gymnema sylvestre extract (400 mg) appears to reduce glucose levels in type 1 diabetics

This highly-cited study explored the blood sugar effects of gymnema in type 1 diabetics. A total of 27 patients on insulin therapy were given an extract of gymnema leaves called GS4 (400 mg) daily for several weeks. The supplementation reduced insulin requirements, fasting blood glucose, and Hba1c (measure of mean glucose) levels.

• The researchers concluded that “GS₄ therapy appears to enhance endogenous insulin, possibly by regeneration/ revitalisation of the residual beta cells in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.” ⁹

Gymnema sylvestre (1 g) may significantly reduce fasting blood sugar in type 2 diabetics

This placebo-controlled study examined the anti-diabetic effects of three medicinal plants – gymnema, Artemisia absinthium, and Citrullus colocynthis. A total of 32 people with type 2 diabetes were divided into 4 groups for 30 days: one for capsules of each plant (1 g daily), and one for placebo. Gymnema had the strongest hypoglycemic effects, reducing fasting blood glucose levels by 37%.

• The researchers concluded that “…powdered Gymnema sylvestre,Citrullus colocynthis, and Artemisia absinthium possess good anti-diabetic features…” ¹⁰

Dosage for Blood Sugar

• Studies of gymnema sylvestre have used 400-1000 mg dosages
• Standalone gymnema sylvestre supplements typically provide 500-1500 mg daily dosages
• Multi-ingredient blood sugar support supplements usually include smaller dosages (~50 mg)

Available Forms

• Gymnema leaf/stem powder. Powdered gymnema stem or leaves, typically sold in capsules.
• Gymnema extract. An extract standardized to contain at least 25-35% gymnemic acids, the main active ingredient of the plant.
• GS4 Plus®. A patented brand of gymnema sylvestre extract which is one of the only forms used in human clinical trials.