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Gymnema Sylvestre

(Known as Gurmar, Gymnema Sylvestre)

tickControls appetite
tickControls carbohydrate
tickAids definition & fat loss
tickHerbal
How does it work?
In ancient Indian texts, gymnema is referred to as gurmar, which means 'sugar killer'. Gymnema suppresses glucose absorption and reduces the sensation of sweetness in foods - effects which are important for individuals who want to reduce blood sugar levels or lose weight.
Who is it used for?
Gymnema will provide benefits for anyone trying to lose weight, especially in terms of appetite control and food cravings.
How does it work?
Gymnema sylvestre leaves contain gymnemic acids, which have been shown to reduce blood sugar levels in both animals and humans. As with other natural ingredients for control of blood sugar and insulin levels, such as banaba leaf, a common 'side effect' of gymnema is weight loss - probably due to a combination of appetite suppression and control of food cravings (especially for carbohydrates and sweets).

An eight-week clinical trial published in the peer-reviewed journal, Nutrition Research, shows that the addition of gymnema makes a weight loss supplement work even better [2]. The study consisted of 30 volunteers divided into three groups. Group one received HCA, while the second group received a placebo. Group three received HCA, chromium and gymnema.

The supplements were given daily in three divided doses 30-60 minutes before meals. Both groups were placed on a diet of 2,000 calories per day and participated in a 30-minute supervised walking program, five days a week. After an eight-week period, those taking HCA alone lost over 12 pounds in weight. In contrast, the placebo group lost only 3 pounds. However, the gymnema/HCA group lost 15 pounds - a full three pounds more than the HCA-only group.
How do I use it?
Take approximately 500-600 milligrams of gymnema sylvestre each day, in 2-3 divided doses.
What results can I expect?
Short-term use (5-7 days) of gymnema will lead to a noticeable improvement in appetite control and a reduction in carbohydrate cravings. Long-term use (30 days or longer) will also accelerate fat loss when combined with a good diet and regular exercise programme.
What can it be combined with?
Though gymnema is a highly effective aid to weight loss when taken alone, many choose to combine it with other proven supplements such as guggulsterones and forskolin for faster weight loss.

1. Shanmugasundaram ER, Rajeswari G, Baskaran K, Rajesh Kumar BR, Radha Shanmugasundaram K, Kizar Ahmath B. (1990). Use of Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract in the control of blood glucose in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 30, 281-294
2. Preuss, H.G., Bagchi, D., Bagchi, M., Sanyasi Rao, C. V. , Satyanarayana, S., & Dey, D.K. (2004). Efficacy of a novel, natural extract of (-)-hydroxycitric acid (HCA-SX) and a combination of HCA-SX, niacin-bound chromium and Gymnema sylvestre extract in weight management in human volunteers: a pilot study. Nutrition Research, 24, 45-58

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