Banaba

Banaba leaf extract

Latin Name: Lagerstroemia Speciosa
Specifications: Corosolic acid 1%, 3%, 5%,10%, 20%
Function:
Water soluble extract for beverage.
Balances blood sugar
Regulates insulin levels
Supports healthy weight loss
Banaba (Lagerstroemia Speciosa) is a botanical extract that comes from the leaves of the banaba tree. In Southeast Asia and the Philippines, the leaves are traditionally used as an herbal medicine to treat diabetes and hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar) and Banaba has also been traditionally used to aid in cleansing the liver in the Philippines.
Corosolic acid, a triterpenoid found in the leaves, helps regulate blood sugar by stimulating glucose uptake. This blood sugar lowering effect is similar to that of insulin - which induces glucose transport from the blood into body cells. In a study of humans with type-2 diabetes, banaba extract showed a 30% reduction in blood glucose levels. It is considered a natural plant insulin, can be taken orally, and has no side effects, according to Japanese research. Corsolic acid also appears to have strong antioxidant properties.
Because of its ability to assist in regulating blood sugar, it can be very useful in losing weight. Because of the way Banaba helps the body to handle glucose (glucose transport activator), it is a ingredient found in many weight-loss products. Supplementwatch.com says: "An interesting 'side-effect' of tighter control of blood sugar and insulin levels is a significant tendency of Banaba to promote weight loss (an average of 2-4 lbs. per month) without significant dietary alterations. It is likely that modulation of glucose and insulin levels reduces total caloric intake somewhat and encourages moderate weight loss." In Japan, Banaba tea has become quite popular and is known as "slimming tea." In the US, many weight-loss formulas are now using Banaba as a safe, natural component for reducing weight.
However, more recent studies have shown that the entire herb is useful in lowering blood sugar, and that corosolic acid is probably not the only active ingredient in Banaba leaves. A study published in 2001 by Edison Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, in Athens, Ohio compared a whole leaf extract of Banaba with insulin in cell cultures. They concluded that the whole herb had a glucose lowering effect and could be used to fight diabetes and obesity. A study reported in the Feb. 2002 volume of Planta Med stated that corosolic acid alone could not account for the glucose transport effect of Banaba extracts, and identified at least three active components: lagerstroemin, flosin B and reginin A. These natural phytochemicals regulate glucose uptake, and could be responsible for lowering blood glucose levels and weight loss.
Our banaba extract is produced with a know-how technology, which keeps all the natural ingredients in it, with the corosolic acid as a marker ingredient.
How safe is Banaba?
Prescribed diabetes treatments may produce side effects or low blood sugar, but there are no known negative side effects associated with Banaba at suggested doses. It does produce the positive effects of lowering trigyceride and LDL cholesterol, which aid in weight loss!
Recommended dosage:
Although doses of banaba extract as low as 48 mg per day are effective in reducing blood glucose and insulin levels in humans, much higher doses have been used in animal studies, resulting in significant weight loss. For best results, begin with 100 mg daily and slowly increase the dosage to 100 mg three times daily with meals.
Caution: Keep out of reach of children. Use only as directed. Not for use by pregnant or lactating women.