Some Countries ‘Got it Right’!

Banaba leaf (not to be confused with “banana” leaf) has been used for thousands of years in India, the Philippines and other countries to naturally treat diabetes and low blood sugar levels. Also known as Crepe Myrtle, Queen’s Flower and Pride of India; it grows in the Philippines, India, and Southeast Asia.

It turns out these cultures were onto something because banaba leaf has had incredible results with blood sugar control. Banaba Leaf extract contains a compound known as corosolic acid, which can safely lower blood sugar levels. These blood sugar regulating properties have been demonstrated in cell culture, animal, and human studies (we’ll look at some in a moment).

It is known to stimulate glucose uptake and some studies have shown that it can help lower blood sugar within sixty minutes! The average human response is a 10-15% decrease in blood sugar within two hours of ingestion.

The corosolic acid and tannins (lagerstroemin) found in its extract improve the glucose transport in the body cells, increasing the in-take of glucose. Also they have an insulin-like action and activate insulin receptors. These interactions help it regulate blood sugar levels as well as blood insulin levels.

How About Food Cravings?

By keeping blood sugar and insulin levels in check, Banaba leaf helps you control food cravings. (Think that might be useful for anyone who wants to lose weight?) It has also been shown to help correct leptin problems and food cravings that are typically found in overweight individuals who have elevated blood sugar.

Blood sugar level variations are often due to uncontrolled appetite and excessive hunger and foods cravings (like sweets). Banaba leaf helps manage blood sugar and insulin levels by reducing the total caloric intake. This leads to weight loss too apart of controlling diabetes.

However…

It is Important to realize that higher doses of banaba do not equal better results. High dosages can lead to hypoglycemic symptoms – possibly caused by excessively low blood sugar levels. Scientific research recommends against using high dosages.

The good news is that the dosage in our Dia-Amazing formula is just right! We have combined it with other effective blood sugar reducing nutrients.

A Few Studies

All types of studies have been done (and more on the way in this intense field of research).  We will focus on the all-important human studies here.

For example, one research group found a 13.5% average decrease in blood glucose levels and no adverse effects were observed. They extended a safety and efficacy study and found a significant 16.6 decrease in fasting blood glucose levels. After both 6 months and 1 year, significant improvements were observed with glucose tolerance and glycated albumin. The Banaba extract did not cause hypoglycemia.^{1, 2}

Ten type 2 diabetic subjects were given 32 mg or 48 mg of the product (we use 40 mg.)) daily for 2 weeks. A 30% decrease in blood glucose levels was reported after the 2 weeks.³

At Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Beijing Hospital, 2008), 100 people with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes were enrolled in a control (placebo) group. An improvement in diabetic symptoms including a decrease in thirst, drowsiness, and hunger with no adverse effects were observed. There were no changes in blood pressure, liver or kidney function, blood cell count, or hemoglobin.⁴

Another 31 subjects, in a double-blind cross-over design, were given corosolic acid treatment that resulted in lower blood glucose levels from 60 to 120 min compared with controls. The corosolic acid used was 99% pure, thus indicating that the blood sugar lowering effect was specifically due to the corosolic acid.⁵

Conclusions

A growing body of evidence involving animal and human studies as well as in vitro systems indicates that Banaba leaf extracts exert anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects. There is strong evidence to indicate that corosolic acid is responsible for these effects.

These clinical studies indicate Banaba extract, standardized to corosolic acid, decreases fasting as well as postprandial blood glucose levels in humans. A decrease in blood glucose levels has been observed within 2 hours of dosing, and the decrease is typically in the range of 10–15%, although a decrease of 30% has been reported. No adverse effects have been observed or reported in any studies involving human subjects receiving Banaba.

A number of studies in animals and human subjects indicates Banaba exhibits properties that are beneficial in addressing various factors involved in glucose regulation and metabolism. This includes the enhanced cellular uptake of glucose, improved insulin sensitivity and decreased gluconeogenesis; thus warranting more studies.⁶

We are excited to introduce Banaba Leaf Extract in our Dia-Amazing formula!

References

1. Ikeda Y, Chen JT, Matsuda T. Effectiveness and safety of banabamin tablet containing extract from banaba in patients with mild type 2 diabetes. Japanese Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 1999;27(5):72–73.

2. Ikeda Y, Noguchi M, Kishi S, et al. Blood glucose controlling effects and safety of single and long-term administration on the extract of banaba leaves. Journal of Nutrition & Food. 2002;5:41–53.

3. Judy WV, Hari SP, Stogsdill WW, Judy JS, Naguib YMA, Passwater R. Antidiabetic activity of a standardized extract (Glucosol) from Lagerstroemia speciosa leaves in Type II diabetics: a dose-dependence study. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2003;87(1):115–117.

4. Tsuchibe S, Kataumi S, Mori M, Mori H. An inhibitory effect on the increase in the postprandial glucose by banaba extract capsule enriched corosolic acid. Journal for the Integrated Study of Dietary Habits. 2006;17:255–259.

5. Fukushima M, Matsuyama F, Ueda N, et al. Effects of corosolic acid on post-challenge plasma glucose levels. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice. 2006;73:174–177.

6. Stohs SJ, Miller H, Kaats GR. A review of the efficacy and safety of Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa L.) and Corosolic acid. Phytotherapy Research. 2012;26:317–324.