Mulberry leaf has been traditionally used to treat diabetes by numerous cultures around the world and that evidence from human studies show that it significantly reduces the rise in blood sugar that occurs after a meal. The dose of mulberry leaf extract used in these trials was one gram before meals. If you're trying to manage type 2 diabetes with diet and exercise, and you think you need more blood sugar control, mulberry leaf extract might help. Dr. Low Dog suggests that you consider taking it before your larger meals of the day.
Some research has also indicated that a powder
made from mulberry leaves may help prevent diabetes
in otherwise healthy adults by suppressing the
rise in blood glucose levels and insulin secretion
after meals. The findings, from Japan, were
published in the Journal of Agricultural and
Food Chemistry in 2007, but the researchers
indicated that more study is needed to make
sure the powder is effective when taken by overweight
and obese individuals at high risk of diabetes.
advertisement
If you have diabetes, a number of dietary measures as well as nutritional supplements can help with blood sugar control:
* Eat magnesium-rich foods daily. Good sources
include spinach, tofu, almonds, broccoli, lentils,
pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds.
* Eat fish, take fish-oil supplements, or include
in your diet another source of omega-3 fatty
acids such as walnuts or freshly ground flaxseed
daily.
* Eat foods low in glycemic load.
* Take chromium, atrace element that works with
insulin to regulate blood sugar by helping to
transport glucose into cells. I recommend taking
up to 1,000 micrograms of GTF chromium daily.
* Take alpha lipoic acid, an antioxidant that
can enhance the uptake of glucose into cells
and help inhibit glycosylation (the abnormal
binding of sugar to proteins, resulting in disease-promoting
compounds). It also helps to promote and maintain
eye health. Start with 100 mg per day.
* Take 400 mg of magnesium glycinate daily,
which can help promote healthy insulin production.
* Supplement with coenzyme Q10 (CO-Q-10), a
powerful antioxidant that can help maintain
a healthy heart. The dose is 60-100 mg of a
softgel form with your largest meal.
The following botanicals may also help. Look for standardized extract forms and follow the dosage directions on the packages:
* Asian bitter melon (Momordica charantia)
* Ayurvedic gurmar (Gymnema sylvestre)
* Blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus)
* Prickly-pear cactus (Opuntia).
