Banaba
This is the common name for Lagerstroemia speciosa, a tree native to Southeast Asia. The leaves have been used in traditional medicine in the Phillipines as a treatment for diabetes. As it turns out, the leaves are high in corosolic acid, which has been shown to improve glucose control in human and animal studies. It appears to do this by stimulating glucose uptake in muscle cells.
4-Hydroxyisoleucine
An amino acid isolated from fenugreek seeds. 4-Hydroxyisoleucine exhibits lipid-lowering and antidiabetic activity in animal feeding experiments. Early experiments on humans also indicated it could boost post-exercise glycogen resynthesis, but the data is conflicting.
Saccharum officinarum
Also known as sugar cane. Beyond serving as a source of table sugar, sugar cane extracts have both supplemental and cosmetic uses. Sugar cane is also a source of policosanol, which may or may not improve blood lipids. In addition, sugar cane extracts have antioxidant effects, and are a source of alpha-hydroxy acids used in skin care preparations.
Olea europaea
The botanical name for the olive tree (and/or its fruit). When used in supplements, this typically refers to olive leaf extract. Olive leaf extract has antibiotic, anti-hypertensive, and antioxidant activities, although not all of these effects have been demonstrated in human subjects.
Tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein are some of the bioactive compounds identified in olive leaf, and commercial extracts are often standardized for one of these compounds.
Polygonum cuspidatum
Also known as Japanese Knotweed. An invasive plant pest used as a source of resveratrol in commercial supplements.
