Overview

What is Banaba Leaf Extract? Banaba Leaf Extract (Lagerstroemia speciosa L.) has been used for decades to treat diabetes. The blood-sugar reducing effects associated with Banaba Leaf Extract has been attributed to its corosolic acid and ellagitannin content. Many studies in both humans and animals explore the benefits of Banaba Leaf Extract, with the first being published in the 1940's.

Banaba Leaf is known as a Glucose Disposal Agent (GDA); an ingredient that helps transport glucose into muscle to be utilized for energy. They also prevent glucose from being stored in fat tissue and eventually converting to fat. GDA's have become increasingly popular within the supplement industry over the last several years. 

The mechanisms behind Banaba Leaf's benefits are plentiful, as it acts in a plethora of ways to reduce glucose levels and improve lipid metabolism: 

1. Enhanced glucose uptake
2. Decreases gluconeogenesis
3. Impaired hydrolysis of sucrose and starches
4. Regulation of lipid metabolism

Studies suggest Banaba Leaf Extract and it's constituents (corosolic acid and ellagitannin) may pose insulin-like activity and reduce blood-sugar levels; at the same time, they also pose antioxidant properties as well. A human clinical study conducted on 24 individuals with mild type 2 diabetes used a proprietary Banaba Leaf product called Banabamin. Subjects were given tablets three times a day at an unmentioned dose; results showed that subjects experienced an average of 13.5 decrease in blood glucose levels with no reported adverse effects.

Another study conducted on 15 subjects whom had consumed Banaba Leaf Extract over the course of a year experienced a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose levels by approximately 16%. Like the previous study, no adverse effects were reported during the course of the study.

To round out the studies, 1- type 2 diabetics were given either 32 or 48mg of Banaba Leaf Extract standardized to 1% corosolic acid  daily for two weeks. Results showed a 30% decrease in blood glucose levels during the two week period.

For more information regarding Banaba Leaf Extract, read here ⬇️

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3468018/

Applications

Banaba Leaf Extract is commonly found in intra-workouts to transport glucose into muscle to be used as energy. It also is common to see them included alongside other GDA's within GDA formulas.

Benefits of Banaba Leaf Extract

Benefits:

• Decreases body fat
• Improve insulin sensitivity
• Enhanced glucose uptake
• Decrease gluconeogenesis
• Regulation of lipid metabolism

Recommended Dose

Varies based on standardization % of the extract

Supplements