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Banaba Leaf Extract

(Known as Corosolic acid, Glucosol, Lagerstroemia speciosa, Banaba Leaf Extract)

tickHerbal
tickAids health
tickAids definition & fat loss
tickControls carbohydrate
tickControls appetite
How does it work?
Banaba is a plant that grows in India, Southeast Asia and the Philippines. Banaba leaf extract contains a compound known as corosolic acid, which can safely lower blood sugar levels.
Who is it used for?
By keeping blood sugar and insulin levels in check, banaba helps you control food cravings. This makes it useful for anyone who wants to lose weight.
How does it work?
Banaba is a plant that grows in India, Southeast Asia and the Philippines. Traditional uses include brewing tea from the leaves as a treatment for diabetes and elevated blood sugar. Banaba leaf extract contains a triterpenoid compound known as corosolic acid, which has actions in stimulating glucose transport into cells. Studies show that corosolic acid can safely lower blood glucose levels.

In diabetic mice, rats and rabbits, banaba feeding reduces elevated blood sugar and insulin levels to normal. In humans with type II diabetes, banaba extract, for 4-8 weeks, has been shown to be effective in reducing blood sugar levels (5%-30% reduction) and maintaining tighter control of blood sugar fluctuations.

In one study, subjects who took the supplement over a 22-week period had a 30% drop in blood sugar levels [1]. They also averaged a weight loss of 3.2 pounds per month without changing their diet.

For some people, fluctuations in blood sugar and insulin are related to appetite, hunger and various food cravings - particularly craving for carbohydrates such as bread and sweets. By keeping blood sugar and insulin levels in check, banaba helps people to lose weight safely and quickly.

At suggested doses, no adverse side effects are expected from banaba. Higher doses should be avoided, however, to prevent dizziness or fatigue, which can happen with extremely low blood sugar levels.
How do I use it?
Blood sugar control is enhanced with small amounts of Banaba taken 1-3 times daily.
What results can I expect?
Most users report a reduction in food cravings, especially for high-carbohydrate foods like bread, cereal, pizza and cookies. A small loss of weight (3-4 pounds per month) is not uncommon, due to the lower blood sugar and insulin levels.
What can it be combined with?
Some weight-loss experts believe that Banaba extract is more effective when combined with other ingredients such as Caffeine, Green Tea Extract and CLA.

1. Judy, W.V., Hari, S.P., Stogsdill, W.W., Judy, J.S., Naguib, Y.M., & Passwater, R.J. (2003). Antidiabetic activity of a standardized extract (Glucosol) from Lagerstroemia speciosa leaves in Type II diabetics. A dose-dependence study. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 87, 115-117

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