Is there a Banaba cure for diabetes? Lagerstroemia speciosa commonly referred to as Banaba herbs, Banaba extract or Banaba leaf is a plant that is native to southern Asia and was used as a folk medicine for diabetes in the Philippines. Today, although there have been no lagerstroemia speciosa hyperglycemia clinical trials, Banaba is an ingredient in several over the counter natural remedies designed to lower blood sugar levels, prevent hyperglycemia or type II diabetes.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) publishes health research from around the world. Some research is performed in the laboratory used test tubes, cell lines or animal models. Clinical research, on the other hand, consists of a group of men or women (usually both), who have a specific health problem and a team of researchers who administer the test treatment and monitor the results.CLick here https://www.londonendocrinediabetes.com/

Currently NIH has not published any lagerstroemia speciosa hyperglycemia clinical trials. Banaba, in fact, has not been the subject of any clinical studies, but has been the subject of at least six studies involving cell lines and mice or rats.

There is published research concerning a Banaba cure for diabetes dating back to 1996. Some manufacturers claim that the ingredients in their products have been tested and researched for over twenty years. If this statement is true, they are probably referring to an ingredient other than Banaba herbs.

Researchers in 1996 added an extract from Banaba herbs or leaves to the diet of diabetic mice for a period of 5 weeks. The mice had type II or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. The researchers then compared the blood glucose levels and the levels of glucose in the urine to a group of diabetic mice that had not received the extract. It was found that blood glucose levels and urinary glucose levels were lower in the mice fed the extract from Banaba herbs. And, as an additional benefit, it was noted that total cholesterol levels were lower, as well.

Similar research was conducted in Japan in 1999, except that the diabetic mice were five week old females that had shown "remarkable" weight gain. Rather than noting lower blood glucose levels, these researchers found that the Banaba herbs extract suppressed hemoglobin A1C, sometimes used to identify blood sugar concentration over long periods of time. In addition, the researchers referred to the plant as having "anti-obesity activity", not exactly a Banaba cure for diabetes, but certainly beneficial.

In 2001, researchers in Ohio studied the activity of the extract in the test tube. You may know that the root problem in type II diabetes is that glucose from food builds up in the blood stream instead of entering the cells where it can be used for energy. Decreased production of insulin, which allows the glucose to enter the cell, and decreased sensitivity to insulin among the cells, causes the build up of glucose in the blood stream.

Prescription medications designed to lower blood sugar levels tend to cause weight gain, which is a risk factor for type II diabetes and aggravates the condition. Researchers in both 1999 and 2001 concluded that extract from Banaba herbs could help control blood sugar levels and possibly assist in weight loss or at least not cause weight gain. Researchers in 2001 concluded Banaba extract "may be useful for the prevention and treatment of hyperglycemia and obesity in type II diabetes", still not a "Banaba cure" for diabetes, but again beneficial.

In 2005 researchers found similarly promising results, once again using diabetic mice. In 2006, a compound derived from Banaba herbs was shown to improve blood pressure in rats fed a high fat diet. The researchers also measured markers indicating inflammation and oxidative stress. Rather than a Banaba cure for diabetes, they suggested that the compound could be "beneficial for preventing atherosclerosis related diseases (heart diseases caused by plaque build-up within the arteries) that are an increasing health care problem worldwide."

So, although there have been no lagerstroemia speciosa hyperglycemia clinical trials Banaba leaves, extracts and compounds have been the subjects of numerous studies for over ten years. The research does not suggest that there is a Banaba cure for diabetes, but does suggest that the extract may be beneficial and warrants further study. As an ingredient in dietary supplements designed for those who have or are at risk of type II diabetes, the extract can only be beneficial. To learn more about recommended nutritional supplements for controlling high blood sugar levels, please visit the Diabetes Type Two Info Guide.