Lagerstroemia Speciosa is used in the Diabetic Formula of the CardioTrim health supplement line.

Lagerstroemia Speciosa or Banaba grows in India, Southeast Asia and the Philippines. Traditional uses include brewing tea from the leaves as a treatment for diabetes and hyperglycemia or high blood sugar.

Japanese researchers have conducted numerous studies and found that Banaba extract contains corosolic acid which has actions in stimulating glucose transport into cells. Because of this action, corosolic acid behaves similarly to insulin.

By keeping blood sugar and insulin levels in check, banaba may be an effective supplement for promoting weight loss in certain individuals.

An interesting “side-effect” of tighter control of blood sugar and insulin levels is a significant tendency of banaba to promote weight loss (an average of 2-4 lbs. per month) without significant dietary alterations.

It is likely that modulation of glucose and insulin levels reduces total caloric intake somewhat and encourages moderate weight loss.