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Question:
I currently take a pill prescribed by my doctor to lower my blood sugar (I am a type II diabetic). Are there any herbs that I could use instead?
Answer:
Yes, there are several to choose from. Perhaps the best choice is the extract of Gymnema sylvestre, a plant native to the tropical forests of India that has long been used as a treatment for diabetes. Recent scientific investigation has upheld its effectiveness in both type I and type II diabetes. Extracts of Gymnema sylvestre given to patients with type I diabetes on insulin therapy reduces insulin requirements and fasting blood sugar levels, and improve blood sugar control. In a study of type II diabetics, gymnema extract given along with oral hypoglycemic drugs was shown to improve blood sugar control and either led to discontinuation of the medicine or a significantly reduced dosage in all test subjects.
The dosage for Gymnema sylvestre extract is 400 mg per day in both type I and type II diabetes. No side effects have been reported from Gymnema extract. It is interesting to note that Gymnema extract given to healthy volunteers does not produce any blood sugar lowering or hypoglycemic effects.
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