Gymnema Sylvestre
Gymnema sylvestre (GS) is a woody climbing plant that grows in the tropical forests of
central and southern India. The leaves are used in herbal medicine preparations. Gymnema
sylvestre is known as "periploca of the woods" in English and mesbasringi (meaning "ram's
horn") in Sanskrit. The leaves, when chewed, interfere with the ability to taste sweetness,
which explains the Hindi name gurmar - "destroyer of sugar."
Plant constituents include two resins (one soluble in alcohol), gymnemic acids, saponins,
stigmasterol, quercitol, and the amino acid derivatives betaine, choline and
trimethylamine.
Gymnema sylvestre is a stomachic, diuretic, refrigerant, astringent, and tonic. It has been
found to increase urine output and reduce hyperglycemia in both animal and human studies.
Gymnema sylvestre has been used in India for the treatment of diabetes for over 2,000
years. The primary application was for adult-onset diabetes, a condition for which it
continues to be recommended today in India. The leaves were also used for stomach ailments,
constipation, water retention, and liver disease.
Extracts of Gymnema sylvestre given to patients with type I diabetes on insulin therapy
reduces insulin requirements and fasting blood sugar levels, and improves blood sugar
control. In a study of type II diabetics, Gymnema sylvestre extract given along with oral
hypoglycemic drugs was shown to improve blood sugar control and to either lead to
discontinuation of the medicine or a significantly reduced dosage. Gymnema sylvestre is
interesting to note that Gymnema sylvestre extract given to healthy volunteers does not
produce any blood sugar-lowering, or hypoglycemic, effects.
Blood Sugar:
The main focus of Gymnema sylvestre research is blood sugar regulation and glucose
metabolism. Gymnema sylvestre has been used in India for treatment of diabetes for about
2000 years. Today in India it is being used to treat primarily type II diabetes and type I
as well. The herb has shown to reduce blood sugar, glycosylated haemoglobin and
glycosylated plasma proteins when used for 18-20 months [1]. The effect is gradual rather
than immediate with conventional drugs. The active components responsible for lowering
glucose are the gymnemic acids.
Weight Loss:
I was intrigued when I read how gymnema could reduce and alter the taste of sugar, and it
does just that. By placing the herb on your tongue or drinking the tea, the perception of
sugar or aspartame is reduced or eliminated completely. That may come in handy if you want
to deter a binge on chocolate cheesecake. Some articles state that this is not true so I
tried it myself by breaking open a capsule and placing a small amount in my mouth. Gymnema
sylvestre did indeed eliminate the perception of sugar. The effect lasted for about 15
minutes as I sampled other foods and drinks. Sweet Relief gum is available which contains
gymnema.
Gymnema sylvestre is also said that the herb reduces cravings for sugars. More research
needs to be done on that statement. Some believe that the sugar taste blocking feature has
a factor in not only the reduction in cravings, but the hypoglycemic reactions as well.
Gymnema sylvestre may interact with medications taken to lower blood sugar levels resulting
in hypoglycemia.
Side Effects for Gymnema sylvestre:
There are no side effects listed at the time of writing this feature (3/2002). Only those
which seem to be connected with hypoglycemia. Adverse effects reported to the FDA appear to
be mainly blends containing Gymnema sylvestre targeted for weight loss or energy.
5 Methods To Treat Deep Acne Scars
Before knowing various types of treatment methods to cure acne scars, you should first have a fairly good idea about the origin, causes and types of acne scars.
Acne is a serious skin condition which appears irrespective of any skin type, age or sex of a person. In many cases it heals without leaving any scars, but in cases of severe, cystic and inflamed acne permanent scars are often left out. Such scarring can give a very old look to your skin and the skin may also lose its elasticity over the time.
That is, the scars can also alter your mental as well as over all personality. Generally there are two causes of acne scars. The first is the increase in tissue formation due to collagen build up in the skin. They are also known as keloids scars. It is believe that keloid scars are generally genetical. The second cause is loss in tissue formation. Such scars are more common. Further there are several types of acne scars: ice pick scars, atrophic macules, superficial and deep soft scars and depressed fibrotic scars.
There are many popular methods to cure acne scars. 5 successful methods to cure acne scars are:
CHEMICAL PEELS: These peels are helpful for treating only the minor and small type of scars. They are neither helpful in treating icepick scars nor the deep rooted ones.
DERMABRASION: Dermabrasion is a highly developed method to treat the deep rooted acne scars and when combined with punch excision it can also treat the minor type of acne scars. In this method the skin is physically removed, so after the method you require appropriate rest.
LASER TREATMENT: This is a relatively newer method to treat acne scars but is very effective. Here light rays are passed on to your skin to kill the defective skin cells. The method is quite successful to treat even the complex type of scars.
COLLAGEN INJECTION: This treatment is basically meant for leveling the surface of the skin and bringing it to the normal level. It injects protein in the human body and thus fills the area left deep by a superficial type of acne.
AUTOLOGOUS FAT TRANSFER: Scars caused due to nodulocystic acne are treated by this method. Here fat from the other parts of the body are cut out and injected into those areas where deep wholes are left due to acne.
But before going for any of these acne scar treatments you should first consult a dermatologist. As, it is very important to use the treatment that is best suitable for your type of acne scars. And the skin specialist is the only person who can offer you the best advice on this.
To know more about how to care for acne skin and acne scar medication visit http://www.acnetalks.com/pimple/magazine/edition/Acne-Treatment.htm
Kick the butt the milky way
Old habits may die hard, but many people around the country are taking one step closer to quitting smoking -- hopefully for good.
MILK NOT only does the body good it may also help you quit smoking, says a study.
Consuming milk makes the taste of cigarette bad and by making a few modifications to the diet one can make quitting bit easier, said the study published in April 2007 issue of the journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research.
The study is said to be the first to explore the taste-altering effects of food and beverages on cigarette palatability.
The study examined 209 smokers and asked them to name items that worsen or enhance the taste of cigarettes.
Nineteen percent of them reported that dairy products, such as milk or cheese, worsen the taste of cigarettes; 14 per cent reported non-caffeinated beverages, such as water or juice. And a further 16 per cent reported fruits and vegetables. read more…..
Forty-four per cent of them reported that alcoholic beverages enhance the taste of cigarettes; 45 percent reported caffeinated beverages, such as tea, cola and coffee; and 11 per cent reported meat.
Identifying which components of foods and beverages ruin the taste of cigarettes could lead to new treatments to deter smoking, said co-investigator Jed E. Rose of the Duke University Medical Center study.
The researchers are now looking at the possibility of using the chemical silver acetate, known to alter the taste of cigarettes, to help smokers quit.
The additive could be given in the form of a gum or a lozenge as part of smoking cessation treatment, according to a science portal, EurekAlert.
Want to kick that smoking habit for good? Whether you've tried to quit before or this is your first attempt, you'll find others here who can relate. Get the support you need to help overcome the cravings, tension and setbacks that come with conquering this addiction.
For more details on Kick the butt the milky way visit www.halfvalue.com and www.halfvalue.co.uk
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