Another herb effective in diabetes treatment

A herb used for centuries in India for the treatment of diabetes has been found to lower blood glucose levels and have a similar effect to common diabetes prescription drugs, according to a new study at Ohio State University .
The research team investigated a small study group of around 40 people, and marked a similar effect to common prescription medications. Steve Hertzler, the co-author of the study, claimed: “These kinds of reductions are similar to what we might see with prescription oral medications for people with diabetes.”
The herb, known as Salacia Oblonga, is native to regions of India and Sri Lanka . It functions by binding to the intestinal enzymes that serve to break down carbohydrates into glucose – this lessens glucose in the bloodstream.
Hertzler concluded: “Lowering blood glucose levels lowers the risk of disease-related complications in people with diabetes. 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.”
The study was published in the most recent issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. Studies will be ongoing.