There are lots of herbal weight loss products on the market with most
offering little hope, but a lot of hype. However, there are also
several with confirmed benefits from detailed well-done clinical trials, for instance, Mulberry Leaf Extract.
Rather than getting seduced by the latest “miracle” product for weight
loss that has little (if any) scientific basis, consumers should focus
on those natural products with a stronger portfolio of research showing
safety and efficacy.
A new study has shown that an extract from the leaves of the mulberry plant (Morus indica)
– best known as food for silkworms – provides a range of benefits for
those who are overweight. Previous studies have shown that it possesses
significant blood sugar lowering effects, as it contains a “sugar
blocker” (specifically an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor), along with other
compounds that appear to improve blood glucose control as well as blood
lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides).
Given the benefits of mulberry leaves in improving blood glucose
control, researchers in Italy conducted a clinical trial to evaluate the
effects on weight loss with an extract of white Japanese mulberry (Morus alba)
in 46 overweight people who were enrolled and divided into two groups.
The subjects were given an identical balanced diet of 1300 kcal then one
group (A) received 2400 mg of mulberry extract while the other group
(B) received a placebo. Each group was followed-up every 30 days at 30,
60 and 90 days of treatment for measurements of blood chemistry, body
weight and waist circumference in all the subjects and thigh
circumference in women only were repeated.
In group A weight loss was about 20 pounds in 3 months, equal to
approximately 10 percent of the initial weight, significantly higher
than the placebo group B. In addition, the plasma insulin and glucose
curves in the group getting the mulberry extract were significantly
improved.
In the 20 women treated with only low-calorie diet and with placebo,
weight reduction was globally of 6.5 pounds, approximately equal to 3
percent of the initial weight; moreover, the blood glucose curves and
the insulin curves showed a slight decline compared to baseline, but not
so significantly as was the case for group A.
Waist circumference and thigh circumference (in women) decreased in
all participants, obviously more evidently in subjects who lost the most
weight.
These results show quite clearly that the use of mulberry extract can
dramatically accelerate weight loss in dieting subjects and presumably
does so by improving blood sugar control.
Mulberry leaf extract is available in a 30:1 concentrate standardized to
contain 2% moranoline content from Natural Factors. The recommended
dosage is 100 mg two to three times daily. Mulberry leaf extract has no
known toxicity, but as the effects during pregnancy and lactation have
not been sufficiently evaluated, it is not recommended for use during
these times unless directed to do so by a physician. Since mulberry leaf
extract improves blood sugar control, individuals on oral hypoglycemic
drugs for type 2 diabetes will need to monitor blood sugar levels and
work with their physician to adjust drug dosage as needed.
