Ingredient Spotlight GS4 PLUS (Gymnema Sylvestre)
Chances are, if you have used any sort of nutrient partitioner product/GDA (glucose disposal agent) or carb blocker in the past, you have used some form of Gymnema Sylvestre before. However, Glycøshield uses a patented form called GS4 Plus, and is the only form that is extensively studied and proven to be effective.
Gymnema Sylvestre, also known as the “Miracle Fruit”, is a vine that grows in tropical areas of Southern Asia, Africa, and Australia. The leaves of this plant are what is considered a miracle, as they contain gymnemic acids, a compound that suppresses the taste of sweetness while not inhibiting any other flavors. Not only does it suppress your cravings for sweet foods but it also has a host of benefits including blood sugar control, weight loss, improved GI functioning, antioxidant, antiatheroslerotic properties, and many more! One of the coolest things about supplementing with Gymnema Sylvestre is that it is not necessary to cycle off or take a break from use. In fact, a 2004 study did a 52-week test of Gymnema supplementation and found no adverse health effects to the body at the end of the experiment (1).
Keep reading below to find out why GS4 Plus is such an important component of Glycøshield!
Glucose Manipulation: Quite possibly the most popular, well known, and well examined use for GS4 Plus has been its ability to lower blood sugar. Much like berberine and Salaretin, GS4 Plus has been used almost regularly in studies as an alternative for prescriptio
In a similar fashion, this same process also occurs in the external layers of the small intestine, which is also where glucose can be absorbed into the blood stream. By preventing the absorption of glucose at its final destination before excretion, GS4 is also known as a carb blocker the same way Salaretin is.
The second key biological factor that allows GS4 Plus to regulate glucose is through its stimulation of the pancreas. Clinical trials have shown that GS4 stimulates the pancreas and thus increases insulin release (3). For someone with diabetes who cannot produce enough insulin this will ensure blood glucose is removed from the blood stream and sent to muscles, organs, and cells to be used as energy and prevent hypoglycemia. For individuals who use GS4 Plus and do not have diabetes, this will only enhance the insulin response within the body and allow for more glucose to be shuttled into muscles, organs and cells. Once those are full, it will work to move the rest of the glucose through the GI tract to be excreted. The study also found that over time, when coupled with Hydroxycitric acid / Garcinia Cambogia (found in the Lipøshield and Glycøshield) GS4 Plus can help to reduce your fasting blood glucose levels as well. Talk about a complete glucose regulator!
Weight Loss: Aside from controlling blood glucose levels, GS4 Plus has other mechanisms that help individuals suffering from obesity as well as those who are at risk for it. A 2014 study found that Gymnemic acid can prevent accumulation of triglycerides in muscle and the liver, while also decreasing fatty acid accumulation in the blood (4). This also has huge implications for general health as those who are not at risk for obesity but have high levels of triglycerides are at a higher risk for a stroke! This feature of GS4 Plus will ensure that excess fatty acids in the blood stream do not affect arteries and keeps them from being stored as, resulting in less fat gain. Another recent study from 2017 showed individuals supplementing with JUST 600mg of Gymnema Sylvestre over the course of 12 weeks reduced their body weight, their BMI measure, and LDL cholesterol as well (5). The biggest kicker about this particular study? Subjects also had their insulin sensitivity and insulin secretions monitored during this period and at the end of the study were found to have no permanent increase in insulin secretion or insulin sensitivity. While increased sensitivity is claimed to be good for some (meaning less released insulin is more effective and regulating blood glucose), it is important to understand that GS4 Plus does not permanently alter the way your pancreas and liver work.
Anti-Inflammatory/
Last but certainly not least, yet another one of the ingredients we use has some sort of cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory property. Quickly mentioned above how GS4 Plus has the ability reduce triglyceride storage and build up in the arteries, it is also known for lowering serum cholesterol levels. One study suggests that Gymnema can also lower arterial blood pressure, lower resting heart rate, and serum leptin levels in as little as 28 days (7). The bioactive saponins and tannins within GS4 Plus were found to decrease edema and inflammation of tissues almost as well as the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) Phenylbutazone.
To recap, GS4 Plus can regulate blood glucose levels, play a role in insulin control, reduce sweet cravings, directly and indirectly impact obesity levels, protect the cardiovascular system, and play a role in the immune system / anti-inflammatory response. GS4 Plus really does it all when incorporated into your supplement regimen.
Studies:
1- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.
2- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.
3- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.
4- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.
5- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.