The Sri Lankan “Blood Sugar Buster” Diabetics Are NEVER Told About

It’s the health problem millions of diabetics never see coming…

But it’s not caused by their disease—it comes from their meds!

The moment you’re prescribed your first diabetes drug, you’re told it will help manage your blood sugar – and protect you from all of the health problems that come from diabetes.

But here’s what you’re not told – there’s a good chance your gut is about to become a war zone.

Stomach problems are one of the most common issues with diabetes drugs – diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, you name it.

But what if you could control your blood sugar… without turning your gut inside out?

Researchers from Sr Lanka think they’ve found the way to do it…

It’s all thanks to a simple plant that’s been used by folk healers for generations… and that most Americans are never told about.

The plant is called Salacia reticulata—known as Kothala Himbutu in Sri Lanka.

It’s been long used in traditional medicine for blood sugar control. But it wasn’t until recently that researchers put it to the test in a rigorous clinical trial.

Here’s what they found…

The study tracked 136 people with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. Their starting HbA1c—a measure of long-term blood sugar control—was 8.5%.

That’s dangerously high. The target for diabetics is below 7%. At 8.5%, you’re in the red zone for heart disease, kidney damage, nerve problems, and vision loss.

After eating a Salacia-containing biscuit daily for several months, patients saw clinical improvements in their HbA1c levels — without the sledgehammer side effects that come from traditional meds.

Only 1% of people taking Salacia reported mild constipation. That was it.

Compare that to drugs like acarbose that have a 74% GI upset rate and 31% diarrhea rate, and the difference is staggering.

You see, aalacia works the same way acarbose does—it slows down the enzymes that break carbohydrates into sugar. Specifically, it inhibits alpha-glucosidase in your intestines.

But here’s the key difference:

Acarbose is so aggressive that it causes massive fermentation in your gut. All those undigested carbs sit in your intestines… and get attacked by bacteria… creating gas, bloating, and some of the worst diarrhea of your life.

Salacia works more gently. It slows carb breakdown without triggering that harsh fermentation response.

The active compounds in Salacia—including salacinol and kotalanol—block the same enzymes, but in a way your digestive system can tolerate.

Beyond slowing carb digestion, research shows Salacia may also:

• Improve insulin sensitivity
• Support healthy lipid levels
• Reduce inflammation linked to insulin resistance

Now, you can’t buy the exact biscuit used in the Sri Lankan study. But Salacia reticulata extracts are widely available—and when taken with meals, they work the same way.

Most studies use doses ranging from 240 mg to 500 mg daily, taken before or with carbohydrate-containing meals.

You’ll find Salacia extracts online and in health stores, often sold as powder, capsules, or tea. Look for standardized extracts that specify salacinol content for consistency.

If you’re on diabetes medications, work with your doctor—Salacia can enhance blood sugar control, and you may need to adjust your medication dosing.

You shouldn’t have to choose between blood sugar control and a functional digestive system.

To easier blood sugar control—without the gut war zone,

Ray Thatcher
Research Director, Health Sciences Institute

Sources:

• Siribaddana, S., Medagama, A., Wickramasinghe, N., Siribaddana, N. M., Agampodi, S., & Fernando, D. (2023). The Effect of Salacia Reticulata Extract Biscuits on Blood Sugar Control of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Two-Period, Two-Sequence, Crossover, Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Trial. Cureus, 15(9), e45921. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37885536/
• Jayawardena, M. H. S., de Alwis, N. M. W., Hettigoda, V., & Fernando, D. J. S. (2005). A double blind randomised placebo controlled cross over study of a herbal preparation containing Salacia reticulata in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 97(2), 215-218. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15707755/
• Medagama, A. B. (2015). Salacia reticulata (Kothala himbutu) revisited; a missed opportunity to treat diabetes and obesity? Nutrition Journal, 14, 21. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4351933/
• Im, R., Mano, H., Matsuura, T., Nakatani, S., & Shimizu, J. (2008). Mechanisms of blood glucose-lowering effect of aqueous extract from stems of Kothala himbutu (Salacia reticulata) in the mouse. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 115(2), 223-229.
• Patel, S. S., et al. (2017). Anti-diabetic and anti-hyperlipidemic effects and safety of Salacia reticulata and related species. Pharmacognosy Reviews, 11(22), 75-85. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5033029/