Help for Diabetics and the Obese May be in the Form of Banaba Leaf Extract

What is Banaba?

The average person has never heard of Banaba. It is a plant that grows primarily in India and Southeast Asia., but because of its increasing popularity as a natural supplement, it has been transported to many other parts of the world. As a medicinal substance, the leaves are boiled to brew a tea which is then used primarily for the treatment of diabetes, because, like insulin, it has the effect of lowering blood sugar. Actually, it appears that one ingredient in banaba, specifically corosolic acid, acts as the blood sugar reduction agent.

As well, ingestion of banaba leaf extract appears to act as an appetite suppressant, especially when taken with certain other supplements and shows promise for those who wish to implement a program of regular, progressive weight loss.

Studies Involving Banaba

While there have been studies on cells, animals, and on humans in other countries, there have been no human studies in the United States. In other countries, primarily India and the Philippines, diabetic mice, rats and rabbits were given doses of sixteen to forty-eight milligrams a day for four to eight weeks, and blood sugar levels were lowered significantly. Another side effect of the regular intake of banaba seemed to be decreased appetite, which had the additional benefit of weight reduction. Weight is a significant factor in diabetes, and obese individuals are far more likely to get diabetes than normal weighted individuals. In one study, for example, diabetic participants who were given regular doses of banaba leaf extract for four and a half weeks experienced a reduction of blood sugar levels, as well as an average weight loss of three and two-tenths pounds.

In the United States, one study using just corosolic acid, not the entire banaba leaf extract, showed some promising results in blood sugar control improvement. Rodent studies have been promising as well. In these, rats were deliberately given dangerously high levels of blood sugar and then given corosolic acid. Results were favorable in that blood sugar levels did drop. Further study is important in order to definitively show benefits of the herbal supplement in the treatment of diabetes, but current victims might consider adding it to their regular regimen.

Banaba as a Weight Reduction Supplement

Diabetes can also be controlled somewhat by just eating less. In this respect, banaba leaf extract can be of benefit, especially when combined with other natural supplements which help to control appetite. Many weight-loss experts recommend that banaba supplement be consumed with caffeine and green tea extract to achieve optimal weight loss benefits. It appears that the combination of these ingredients serve to suppress appetite and moderately increase metabolism.

Dosage and Side Effects

A normal dose of banaba leaf extract in pill form is one or two 250 milligram tablets daily. It should be clearly pointed out, however, that there is not enough research to give a definitive optimum dosage. Most experts suggest that dosage be modified after individual experimentation, and that insulin and other prescribed medications not be reduced unless under the direction of the prescribing physician. There is not a recommended dosage for banaba leaf extract tea either, and, again, dosage should be modified as individual need dictates.

There are no short or long-term studies available on potential side effects of the use of banaba leaf extract supplement; however, it should be noted that, in some countries, this herbal supplement has been in use for centuries without negative side effects being noted. Further research, it seems, would be warranted, but it also seems relatively safe to assume that side effects certainly would have been reported by scientists in countries in which its use has been prevalent both in ancient times and currently.

The Future of Banaba

Banaba leaf extract certainly shows promise in areas of blood sugar level control and in weight loss. As studies continue and as the isolated elements in this extract are evaluated, it is possible that the specific combinations of elements are required for efficacy determination. As well, it may very well be determined that other natural elements, when combined with banaba leaf, will provide significantly greater results.