By: HR January 31, 2010
Mulberry Leaf
This article is one of a series describing particular supplementary food items that are thought to be effective in lowering blood glucose as well as providing other health and nutrition related benefits.
We all know that managing diabetes is not an easy task. It usually involves eating the right foods, exercising regularly, and possibly taking medication in order to keep blood glucose levels under control. While these actions are necessary for managing diabetes, there are also certain foods that pack a powerful punch when it comes to keeping glucose at manageable levels. One of those foods to consider adding to your diabetic food list is the mulberry leaf, often suggested as a food to use by diabetics that can supplement their other measures to combat diabetes.
General Diabetes Management
As those who deal with diabetes know, someone with Type 2 diabetes has a limited ability to process sugar correctly. Thus, after meals, the body experiences a spike in blood glucose. Elevated blood glucose causes many of the complications associated with diabetes, so it’s important to keep blood glucose levels within a safe range.
Those with diabetes are generally counseled to exercise regularly, eat whole grains and plenty of vegetables, and to eat food in correct portions at the same time each day. This can help keep blood glucose at a steady, reasonable level. It is important for diabetics to find a routine that helps them to manage blood glucose.
Why Use Mulberry Leaf?
There are no shortcuts for managing diabetes. And there are certainly no miracle cures, so stay faithful to your doctors prescribed diabetes regimen. But as an addition, mulberry leaf is a diabetes friendly food that can provide an extra boost to your current diabetes care.
Mulberry leaf comes from the mulberry tree and are well known as being the food that silkworms eat. Additionally, mulberry leaf has been used in traditional Japanese and Chinese medicine for many years and are said to have many different healing properties.
The leaf contains moranoline, a substance that aids in the digestions of carbohydrates, slowing down the process of their break down to glucose. The actual mulberry fruit contains antioxidants that offer further health benefits. If you plan your meals and supplements, it may be worth adding mulberry leaf and the berries to your diabetic food menu.
How to Use Mulberry Leaf
How is mulberry leaf taken? Mulberry leaf extract is available in several different concentrations. It is suggested that the right combination is to take a mulberry leaf supplement that is in a 30 to 1 concentration twice daily.
As always, when trying a new supplement, it’s important to consult with your doctor to be sure it will work with your situation and won’t interact with any medications you are currently taking. If you get the go-ahead from your healthcare provider, give mulberry leaf a try. It may improve blood glucose levels and help you in your quest to manage diabetes. Mulberry leaf is a diabetic food worth adding to the daily menu.
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April 29th, 2010 2:26 am
With current advances in stem cell research, it won’t be long before we can find a permanent cure for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. ~