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Ingredient Spotlight: Banaba Leaf (10% Corsolic Acid)
By now you should know that we believe in using ingredients here at HPS that are multi-faceted, can help you achieve your goals, and also improve your overall health. The supplement we are spotlighting next is no different than the ones that preceded it. Enter Banaba Leaf extract, another ingredient aimed at controlling blood glucose levels, promoting an anti-obesity environment, and improving overall health aspects such as anti-inflammatory properties, anti-viral properties, and antioxidant properties, to name a few.
Banaba Leaf extract is standardized for 10% Corsolic acid and is taken directly from the leaf of the plant. This plant is native to the tropical areas of southern Asia and has been used for many years in that region. The Banaba leaf, in some regions, is consumed whole as if it were a vegetable, steeped in teas, and the mature fruits have even been used for traditional medicine. So why do we love this ingredients? Keep reading to find out some of the most important benefits that come with Banaba Leaf extract.
Glucose control:
This first aspect may be the most important and most studied aspect of Corsolic acid, Glucose control. The Banaba Leaf extract has numerous functions that help it to control glucose and fix blood sugar levels. One of the biggest impacts Corsolic acid makes is the speed at which it can reduce blood sugar levels. Studies suggest that pure Corsolic acid can decrease blood sugar levels in humans within 60 minutes of consumption(1). This is yet another reason we want users to take GlycoShield around 30 minutes prior to a meal; because of its ability to quickly lower blood sugar levels, especially after high carbohydrate meals. In fact, one clinical study evaluated the effects of using just 100mg of Banaba extract daily with 15 different subjects and found an average of a 16.6% decrease in fasting blood glucose levels (2). Subjects who had a fasting glucose level above 110mg/dL had an even larger decrease during that study.
One of Corsolic acid’s main mechanisms is the prevention of glucose absorption in the intestine. You may begin to see a trend here between some of our ingredients: a lot of preventative action in the small intestine. The reason that this is so important is because it is the last line of defense after glucose passes through the GI tract. Glucose has so many ways it can be absorbed and stored that it is crucial the remaining glucose in the intestine is not stored as fat, but neutralized and excreted instead.
Although occasional studies with this ingredient are performed on individuals with diabetes or pre-diabetes, many studies also suggest similar positive effects for those who are not diabetic. A clinical trial performed by 12 nondiabetic subjects who all had a baseline blood glucose level of 104 mg/dL were tested for 2 weeks. During this time, they were given 1 softgel capsule that contained 10mg of Banaba leaf extract that was standardized to 18% Corsolic acid. By the end of the study, individuals had an average of a 12% decrease in fasting and post meal blood glucose levels as well as an average 3lb loss per each person (3)! Just as a reference for how powerful Banaba leaf extract can be; the standardized extract in the study comes out to 1.8mg of pure Corsolic acid (18% of a 10mg dosage); GlycøShield contains 150mg standardized to 10% Corsolic acid or 15mg. If those individuals were able to reduce fasting blood sugar and post meal blood sugar by 12% over two weeks, can you imagine the damage control that 15mg of Corsolic acid can provide you for a massive cheat meal or diet that is regularly high in carbs? We can, and that’s why we included it in GlycøShield.
Anti-Obesity Effects:
Obviously controlling glucose, blood sugar levels, and preventing the storage of excess glucose as fat is one way to control obesity, but Corsolic acid definitely has other mechanisms to control and prevent obesity as well. Studies suggest that Corsolic acid plays a role in enhanced cellular uptake of glucose, impaired hydrolysis of sucrose and starches, decreased gluconeogenesis, and regulation of lipid metabolism (4). In 1996 a major study was conducted regarding the effects of Banaba leaf extract with regards to weight management and triglyceride levels. This study used a 5% Banaba leaf extract in a water solution over the course of the study. The conclusion showed that this 5% water extract mixed with food reduced body weight by an average of 10%, and lowered liver triglyceride content by an average of OVER 40%(5)! As if the anti-diabetic properties were not enough, it now has direct components that can help to lower triglyceride levels as well. This study also suggested that Banaba Leaf extract is confirmed to be anti-adipogenic. This means that unlike insulin, which is adipogenic (catalyst to the creation of fat cells) Banaba Leaf extract has the ability to control blood glucose levels without increasing fat cell formation. The 150mg dose in a serving of Glycøshield standardized for 10% Corsolic acid is generally more than is used in many of these studies and thus is capable of producing much greater results. The most important thing about all of these studies is that despite the rigorous testing, long dosing periods, and quantity of the dose, Banaba Leaf extract has been identified as safe and having no side effects.
Supplement safety/Synergistic Effects/General Health and wellness:
The last aspect of Banaba Leaf extract that impresses us, is its long-term safety and general health benefits it provides, as well as evidence that proves its synergistic ability enhances other ingredients with similar effects. We mentioned glucose control and anti-obesity properties but also mentioned that Banaba leaf has been known to have antihyperlipidemic (drugs known to treat high levels of fat such as high cholesterol), antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiviral, antineoplastic (inhibition of tumors) and osteoblastic properties (6). Many of these effects occur in everyday life, even if you pay attention to diet and exercise. When we mentioned its synergy ability, we made sure to research what it synergizes best with to ensure you are getting the most out of Glycøshield. We found that many studies combined Banaba Leaf Extract with tannin components (like the ones found in Gymnema Sylvestre), Hydroxycitric acids (such as the ones found in Garcinia Cambogia) and oleuropeins (the compound found in olive leaf extract) (7). You will notice that all 3 of those compounds are found in Glycøshield, and Garcinia is also found in Lipøshield. Synergistic effects of Banaba leaf are so astounding, that one study combined Banaba extract, bitter melon extract (synephrine), Gymnema extract (GS4) Garcinia Cambogia extract, Bioperine (an improved absorption ingredient), an amylase inhibitor (enzyme to prevent starch breakdown) as well as elemental chromium, vanadium, and magnesium (important minerals for general health. After 12 weeks of this particular “stack”, subjects lost an AVERAGE of 6.29kg (13.8lbs) including 3.72kg (8.2lbs) of body fat determined by a bioelectric impedance body fat monitor (8). Now how impressive is that?
So, what have we established with Banaba Leaf Extract? For one, it is an excellent compound to regulate and lower blood sugar in as little as 60 minutes. It has the ability to block glucose absorption in the lower intestine, and has been tested to work efficiently in both diabetic and non-diabetic subjects. Its mechanisms enable it to control lipid metabolism and lower triglycerides while ensuring subjects do not go into a hypoglycemic state (too low of blood sugar). It possesses numerous characteristics that allow it to improve facets of everyday life, whether its lowering inflammation or acting as a powerful antioxidant to rid the body of free radicals and toxins. Of course, last but not least, it is completely safe to be dosed for an extended period of time and combined with other ingredients that it can potentially enhance the properties of! What isn’t there to love about Banaba Leaf extract? We hope you enjoyed learning a FEW of the benefits that come along with Banaba Leaf Extract and Corsolic acid.
Studies:
1/4/6-https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/22095937/?i=8&from=banaba%20leaf%20extract
2/3/7/8- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3468018/
5- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2176148/
By now you should know that we believe in using ingredients here at HPS that are multi-faceted, can help you achieve your goals, and also improve your overall health. The supplement we are spotlighting next is no different than the ones that preceded it. Enter Banaba Leaf extract, another ingredient aimed at controlling blood glucose levels, promoting an anti-obesity environment, and improving overall health aspects such as anti-inflammatory properties, anti-viral properties, and antioxidant properties, to name a few.
Banaba Leaf extract is standardized for 10% Corsolic acid and is taken directly from the leaf of the plant. This plant is native to the tropical areas of southern Asia and has been used for many years in that region. The Banaba leaf, in some regions, is consumed whole as if it were a vegetable, steeped in teas, and the mature fruits have even been used for traditional medicine. So why do we love this ingredients? Keep reading to find out some of the most important benefits that come with Banaba Leaf extract.
Glucose control:
This first aspect may be the most important and most studied aspect of Corsolic acid, Glucose control. The Banaba Leaf extract has numerous functions that help it to control glucose and fix blood sugar levels. One of the biggest impacts Corsolic acid makes is the speed at which it can reduce blood sugar levels. Studies suggest that pure Corsolic acid can decrease blood sugar levels in humans within 60 minutes of consumption(1). This is yet another reason we want users to take GlycoShield around 30 minutes prior to a meal; because of its ability to quickly lower blood sugar levels, especially after high carbohydrate meals. In fact, one clinical study evaluated the effects of using just 100mg of Banaba extract daily with 15 different subjects and found an average of a 16.6% decrease in fasting blood glucose levels (2). Subjects who had a fasting glucose level above 110mg/dL had an even larger decrease during that study.
One of Corsolic acid’s main mechanisms is the prevention of glucose absorption in the intestine. You may begin to see a trend here between some of our ingredients: a lot of preventative action in the small intestine. The reason that this is so important is because it is the last line of defense after glucose passes through the GI tract. Glucose has so many ways it can be absorbed and stored that it is crucial the remaining glucose in the intestine is not stored as fat, but neutralized and excreted instead.
Although occasional studies with this ingredient are performed on individuals with diabetes or pre-diabetes, many studies also suggest similar positive effects for those who are not diabetic. A clinical trial performed by 12 nondiabetic subjects who all had a baseline blood glucose level of 104 mg/dL were tested for 2 weeks. During this time, they were given 1 softgel capsule that contained 10mg of Banaba leaf extract that was standardized to 18% Corsolic acid. By the end of the study, individuals had an average of a 12% decrease in fasting and post meal blood glucose levels as well as an average 3lb loss per each person (3)! Just as a reference for how powerful Banaba leaf extract can be; the standardized extract in the study comes out to 1.8mg of pure Corsolic acid (18% of a 10mg dosage); GlycøShield contains 150mg standardized to 10% Corsolic acid or 15mg. If those individuals were able to reduce fasting blood sugar and post meal blood sugar by 12% over two weeks, can you imagine the damage control that 15mg of Corsolic acid can provide you for a massive cheat meal or diet that is regularly high in carbs? We can, and that’s why we included it in GlycøShield.
Anti-Obesity Effects:
Obviously controlling glucose, blood sugar levels, and preventing the storage of excess glucose as fat is one way to control obesity, but Corsolic acid definitely has other mechanisms to control and prevent obesity as well. Studies suggest that Corsolic acid plays a role in enhanced cellular uptake of glucose, impaired hydrolysis of sucrose and starches, decreased gluconeogenesis, and regulation of lipid metabolism (4). In 1996 a major study was conducted regarding the effects of Banaba leaf extract with regards to weight management and triglyceride levels. This study used a 5% Banaba leaf extract in a water solution over the course of the study. The conclusion showed that this 5% water extract mixed with food reduced body weight by an average of 10%, and lowered liver triglyceride content by an average of OVER 40%(5)! As if the anti-diabetic properties were not enough, it now has direct components that can help to lower triglyceride levels as well. This study also suggested that Banaba Leaf extract is confirmed to be anti-adipogenic. This means that unlike insulin, which is adipogenic (catalyst to the creation of fat cells) Banaba Leaf extract has the ability to control blood glucose levels without increasing fat cell formation. The 150mg dose in a serving of Glycøshield standardized for 10% Corsolic acid is generally more than is used in many of these studies and thus is capable of producing much greater results. The most important thing about all of these studies is that despite the rigorous testing, long dosing periods, and quantity of the dose, Banaba Leaf extract has been identified as safe and having no side effects.
Supplement safety/Synergistic Effects/General Health and wellness:
The last aspect of Banaba Leaf extract that impresses us, is its long-term safety and general health benefits it provides, as well as evidence that proves its synergistic ability enhances other ingredients with similar effects. We mentioned glucose control and anti-obesity properties but also mentioned that Banaba leaf has been known to have antihyperlipidemic (drugs known to treat high levels of fat such as high cholesterol), antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiviral, antineoplastic (inhibition of tumors) and osteoblastic properties (6). Many of these effects occur in everyday life, even if you pay attention to diet and exercise. When we mentioned its synergy ability, we made sure to research what it synergizes best with to ensure you are getting the most out of Glycøshield. We found that many studies combined Banaba Leaf Extract with tannin components (like the ones found in Gymnema Sylvestre), Hydroxycitric acids (such as the ones found in Garcinia Cambogia) and oleuropeins (the compound found in olive leaf extract) (7). You will notice that all 3 of those compounds are found in Glycøshield, and Garcinia is also found in Lipøshield. Synergistic effects of Banaba leaf are so astounding, that one study combined Banaba extract, bitter melon extract (synephrine), Gymnema extract (GS4) Garcinia Cambogia extract, Bioperine (an improved absorption ingredient), an amylase inhibitor (enzyme to prevent starch breakdown) as well as elemental chromium, vanadium, and magnesium (important minerals for general health. After 12 weeks of this particular “stack”, subjects lost an AVERAGE of 6.29kg (13.8lbs) including 3.72kg (8.2lbs) of body fat determined by a bioelectric impedance body fat monitor (8). Now how impressive is that?
So, what have we established with Banaba Leaf Extract? For one, it is an excellent compound to regulate and lower blood sugar in as little as 60 minutes. It has the ability to block glucose absorption in the lower intestine, and has been tested to work efficiently in both diabetic and non-diabetic subjects. Its mechanisms enable it to control lipid metabolism and lower triglycerides while ensuring subjects do not go into a hypoglycemic state (too low of blood sugar). It possesses numerous characteristics that allow it to improve facets of everyday life, whether its lowering inflammation or acting as a powerful antioxidant to rid the body of free radicals and toxins. Of course, last but not least, it is completely safe to be dosed for an extended period of time and combined with other ingredients that it can potentially enhance the properties of! What isn’t there to love about Banaba Leaf extract? We hope you enjoyed learning a FEW of the benefits that come along with Banaba Leaf Extract and Corsolic acid.
Studies:
1/4/6-https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/22095937/?i=8&from=banaba%20leaf%20extract
2/3/7/8- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3468018/
5- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2176148/
