Salacia Plant
We all know by now that being overweight poses many health risks and yet we have an obesity pandemic. Perhaps that is not a big surprise considering all the food shows on TV, availability of fast food, and the huge portions served in many restaurants. the net effect is one-third of the people in the world are currently obese or overweight, according to a 2017 study by CNN stated. It has been estimated that if this trend continues almost half of the global population may be obese or overweight by 2030 (Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition). While there are Western medicine interventions that tend to be drastic or with their own risks, there might be another safe, and natural supplement to try first.
Salacia Chinensis is a climbing shrub, in the Celastraceae family. The plant is found widespread in South-East Asia and Australoceania and is also known as Chinese Salacia, Lolly berry, and Saptarangi in Ayurveda. In Ayurvedic medicine, the plant is traditionally used for its anti-diabetic properties, claimed to correct the working of liver and pancreas. Now in a very recent study, researchers at Rutgers University observed that a proprietary Salacia-extract demonstrated appetite reduction, feeling full and blood sugar management benefits. The CARBS (an acronym for Carbohydrate, Appetite Reduction, Blood Sugar and Satiety) study, is the first to examine the effects of Salacia Chinensis on glycemic indices and gut hormones after a meal. It should be noted however that other varieties of Salacia have been studied and shown to have similar properties. The proprietary extract of Salacia Chinensis used in this study is called OmniLean, which is taken with a meal. The double blind randomized controlled trial, published in the journal Nutrients, found an improved glycemic response (lowered glycemic indices) and changes in gut hormones in healthy, overweight and obese individuals, enabling reducing blood sugar spikes and positively affecting both appetite and reduced the feeling of hunger. Sue A. Shapses, Ph.D., R.D., one of the lead researchers on the CARBS Study, stated that “Salacia Chinensis from OmniLean may be an appetite modulator, and because it lowers glycemic indices, would be beneficial to persons at risk for diabetes including overweight/obese person.”
