Salacia Oblonga is an ayurvedic herb found in Indian subcontinent which has been traditionally used in treating type 2 diabetes patients.This herb has also been found to assist in lowering excessive weight problems. Salacia Oblonga has also been found to show inhibitory activity on aldose reductase, which is related to such chronic diabetic complications as peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy, and cataracts. Superior in terms of safety compared to chemically synthesized products, Salacia Oblonga is an effective anti-diabetic and dieting agent. Other Facts about Salacia Oblonga: In a study conducted by Kowsalya et at., it was determined that 2.5 to 5.0 grams of Salacia Oblonga daily is effective in lowering the blood glucose, serum cholesterol, triglycerides and increasing the HDL cholesterol levels of non­insulin dependent diabetes patients. It is know that glucose absorbed in the body is converted into glycogens and neutral lipids by insulin and then accumulates as body fat and organ fat, thus causing obesity. Salacia Oblonga inhibits the breakdown of oligosaccharides (disaccharides and trisaccharides) such as sucrose, maltose, etc. into monosaccharides and inhibits the absorption of monosaccharides such as glucose, mannose, etc. in the body, preventing blood sugar levels from rising. Study done on Salacia Oblonga: A new study at Ohio State University reports that, researchers gave extracts of the herb Salacia Oblonga to 39 healthy adults, and the results were promising. The largest dose of the herb extract 1,000 milligrams decreased blood glucose levels by 23 percent, respectively. "These kinds of reductions are similar to what we might see with prescription oral medications for people with diabetes," said Steve Hertzler, a study co­author and an assistant professor of nutrition at Ohio State University. Salacia Oblonga, which is native to regions of India and Sri Lanka, binds to intestinal enzymes that break down carbohydrates in the body. These enzymes, called alpha­glucosidases, turn carbohydrates into glucose, the sugar that circulates throughout the body. If the enzyme binds to the herbal extract rather than to a carbohydrate, then less glucose gets into the blood stream, resulting in lowered blood glucose and insulin levels. "Lowering blood glucose levels lowers the risk of disease­ related complications in people with diabetes," Hertzler said. "Also, poor compliance with diabetes medications often hinders the effectiveness of these drugs. It may be easier to get someone to take an herb with food or in a beverage, as opposed to a pill." Participants were asked to drink about two cups' worth of the chilled beverage, which contained zero, 500, 700 or 1,000 milligrams of Salacia oblonga extract. Afterward, the researchers used the finger­prick method to draw blood samples from each person every 15 to 30 minutes for three hours. The biggest changes in blood glucose and insulin levels usually happen within the first two hours after eating. The beverage that contained the highest concentration of the herbal extract 1,000 milligrams provided the most dramatic reduction in blood glucose levels by 23 percent, as compared to the control drink, which contained no herbal extract. Recommended Dosage : 01 capsule 2 / ­3 times in a day