If you suffer from diabetes you're no doubt aware of the myriad of treatments and recommended steps to take to help battle the condition. As with any medical occurrence there also exist a fair number of natural or organic methods to help fight diabetes. One such natural ingredient often used it the maitake mushroom, and edible Japanese mushroom often studied for it's perceived health benefits.
Maitake Mushroom for Diabetes
Diabetes is caused by an imbalance in blood sugar levels resulting from the body not properly recognizing insulin levels. Those who suffer from diabetes often have blood sugar levels that are abnormally high and as such have to constantly monitor their blood in order to regulate sugar levels. Maitake mushrooms have long been used as a medicinal food to help combat this sugar imbalance. Recent medical testing has shown that the maitake mushroom contains a chemical that increases the body's sensitivity to insulin, thereby also increasing its ability to recognize glucose levels. Medically speaking, this means that the maitake mushroom may actually directly help the body lower and better regulate blood sugar levels. To expedite the process by which the maitake mushroom accomplishes this, doses of maitake extract are often taken instead of simply eating the mushroom. These concentrated amounts are measured and treated much like a dosage of medicine would be and have long been thought to help in diabetes patients. Additionally, maitake mushrooms are commonly thought to help lower blood pressure, thereby decreasing the risk of cardiovascular problems that often arise in diabetes patients.
Risks and Cautions
It is imperative to note that testing on maitake mushrooms and their effects on diabetes patients has been extensive by in animals only. Very little testing has been done on humans, with most of it being performed on mice who exhibit blood sugar levels similar to that of a diabetic human. For this reason, it cannot be proven nor completely relied upon that maitake mushrooms area full combatant for diabetes. Furthermore, even though it has been used as a food in Japanese culture for many years it is not completely known what amount of a raw maitake mushroom is safe to eat. If you are interested in using maitake as a natural way to fight diabetes, consult a physician about obtaining an extract of it in measured doses safe for consumption.
Tags: sugar levels, blood sugar, blood sugar levels, maitake mushroom, diabetes patients