07.01.04
Renaissance Herbs has introduced a high-potency extract of Salacia (Salacia reticulate), standardized to 20% saponins, which is meant for weight management and blood sugar control. An Ayurvedic herb, Salacia is a large, woody climber found in the rain forests of Sri Lanka and parts of western India. A recent pilot study in human volunteers found that when a water extract of Salacia stems was drunk five minutes before a beverage containing 50 grams of sucrose, the increase in serum glucose from the sugar was significantly suppressed, which led to a placebo controlled cross-over study of Salacia in patients with type 2 diabetes not taking medication. After six weeks on a diet containing a water extract of Salacia or placebo, the results showed that the Salacia group had lower fasting plasma glucose levels, lower body weight and a decrease in their total glycohemoglobulin levels. Renaissance Herbs’ Salacia is a pure, powder extract made from the roots using only ethanol alcohol.