The Banaba plant, originally found throughout Asia and the Philippines, is used in a wide application of dietary needs. There are many claims that it can assist in weight loss and it is reported to be a useful tool for lowering the blood sugar levels.
The actual plant itself is of a very pretty, hardy variety. The leaves are rather short and broad, which a very waxy texture to them. Each stem is topped off with a small cluster of ruffled purple flowers. Corosolic acid is the key component that is routinely extracted from the Banaba leaves that makes the plant such a desired dietary supplement.
The remainder of this article outlines the recommended dosing, the benefits and side effects of this nutritional supplement. Make sure you understand what you are getting, and always keep your doctor informed.
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Banaba Dosage For most people, the usual Banaba dosage will fall in between 16-48mg – the amount depends on the individual and their reason for taking the supplement. It can be combined with other supplements that do the same thing for maximum effectiveness. There are many different wa... more
For most people, the usual Banaba dosage will fall in between 16-48mg – the amount depends on the individual and their reason for taking the supplement. It can be combined with other supplements that do the same thing for maximum effectiveness.
There are many different ways to actually take Banaba, making it a very versatile supplement. While most people tend to consume it as a tea, it is also found as a powder to mix into different drinks and as an individual tablet that is easy to swallow. When being used as a tea the leaf-to-water ratio is 3:6.
The majority of people that supplement their diet with Banaba are seeking its ability to lower the blood sugar – diabetics in particular. In this instance, it is specifically used to help the body break down sugar and pass it on as waste.
The reason Banaba helps lower the blood sugar is because of the Corosolic acid in the leaves, which can also help increase the body’s resistance to insulin. If you would like to look further into this use of the Banaba leaf for diabetics you can find more information published in issues of the medical journal Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice.
As long as Banaba is used in conjunction to other dietary supplements, it can also help a person effectively lower and control their weight. However, please note that this does not mean that it is a replacement for good nutrition habits and exercise – no pill or supplement can do that part for you.
There are studies being conducted on the correlation of Corsolic acid and cancer. Tentative results show that it has the possibility to kill cancer cells because it stimulates an enzyme in the body that is deadly to the cells. However, at this point in time the true potential is not fully understood so it cannot be seen as an aid in the cure.
So far, there have not been any negative side-effects that have been indicated by any of the studies conducted on using the supplement Banaba. However, that does not negate the importance of proceeding with caution when incorporating it into your diet. Every person reacts to outside factors in a unique way, and it is possible to have adverse reactions to anything in life.
The most common negative anecdotal side-effects associated with taking Banaba are dizziness, headaches and fatigue. These are generally a result of a person taking too much of the supplement and decreasing their blood sugar levels too far -- if proper diligence is observed this can easily be avoided.
People with hypoglycemia are cautioned against taking any form of the supplement, as well as nursing or pregnant women. If you are already taking medication to control your diabetes then anything containing Corosolic acid probably is not for you.
Because there are still being tests being done regarding the safety of incorporating Banaba into the diet it is recommended that you always consult with your physician before use. It cannot be seen as a cure for diabetes – this is a very serious condition that has the potential to carry some very heavy consequences if it is left untreated properly.
The positive effects of Banaba are known across the globe, and it can be seen as a unique way to help keep the blood sugar levels in check. If it is going to be used as a weight loss supplement it is very important to remember that taking the leaves alone will not yield any positive results. Because there are no risks associated with taking Banaba presently, it can be seen as a relatively safe experiment.
If you are interested in using Banaba to help you control your diabetes or weight it is imperative that you always consult with a qualified physician before you make your final decision – there are many factors that need to be accounted for. You should always make sure that the current medications that you are on will not be adversely affected by the supplement. Use the free and handy supplement finder provided now!
| Headaches |
| Fatigue |
| Dizziness |
| Banaba extract, Banabalean, Corosolic acid, Crape Myrtle, Crepe Myrtle, Lagerstroemia flos-reginae, Lagerstroemia speciosa, Munchausia speciosa, Pride-of-India, Pyinma, Queen's Crape Myrtle |
| Diabetes |
| Lowering Blood Sugar Levels |
| Weight Loss |