Dennis L. Atienza, MD - General Surgeon

09/04/2026

Gallstones

09/04/2026

09/04/2026

Mulberry leaves help manage high blood sugar, particularly after meals, by using compounds like 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) to inhibit carbohydrate absorption. They are best used as tea (brewed 5–10 minutes) or taken as a 1,000 mg extract three times daily before meals.

How to Use Mulberry Leaves for High Blood Sugar

Mulberry Leaf Tea:
Preparation: Boil 1–2 tablespoons of dried leaves (or a few fresh leaves) in 2 cups of water, then simmer for 5–10 minutes.
Consumption: Drink it before meals to help reduce post-meal glucose spikes.

Mulberry Leaf Extract Capsules:
Studies suggest taking 1,000 mg of extract three times daily before meals to significantly lower blood sugar and insulin levels in those with type 2 diabetes.

Powdered Leaves:
Dried, powdered leaves can be added to smoothies, beverages, or taken with water.

Key Benefits and Considerations
Effectiveness:
Studies indicate that mulberry leaves help regulate post-meal blood sugar and improve long-term HbA1c levels, according to research shared on Vinmec.
Heart Health:
In addition to lowering blood sugar, they help improve lipid profiles, reducing triglycerides and LDL cholesterol.
Precautions:
Because they are highly effective, they may cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) if taken with traditional diabetes medications. Consult a doctor before starting to prevent potential interactions, advises Healthline.
Side Effects:
Some may experience mild gastrointestinal upset, such as gas or loose stools

09/02/2026

I was deleting items in my almost-full Notes app when i browsed over an item I wrote Dec. 3, 2022….i entitled it:

THE SURGEON AS THE PATIENT

At 63 I consider myself still quite fit for my age. After several decades of being overweight (my top weight was 188lbs about 10yrs ago) i then decided to trim down. My motivations then were images of men my age who displayed abs and pecs and delts which i told myself I’ll somehow get for myself. I had a time during my senior year in high school when i started building muscles using a ‘bullworker’ which my eldest brother ordered. I was the one who got it from the post office (no free home delivery yet) and immediately used it regularly. It was effective as long as you regularly used it. Got some shapely muscles to show off. The busy years of study for my pre-med and med got me less time for exercise, preferring to sleep when not studying. Early years of surgical practice were spent building my name and honing my skills. More money to spend led to more inches to my belly and bigger sizes for my wardrobe. I used to wear 36-in pant size. Realizing that i was getting bigger made me re-think of my health. I started running and eating healthier foods (done with lomi, goto, etc). For several years i was able to get down from pants size 36 to 32 to 31. I started biking when i became a senior, riding with my sons and bro-in-law enjoying short and long rides (got to 75km only but planning to hit 100km). I pumped more iron and got bigger bi-and triceps. I was down to 158 lbs!
During one of our short rides early this October I experienced the dreaded bike accident. As i side-glimpsed to a honking tricycle my front wheel went into a pot hole throwing me ahead of my bike. I hit my right hand, left shoulder and helmet on the pavement. With adrenaline pumping in i got up, wiped dirt from my face and jersey, mounted my slightly-scratched mountain bike and headed home just a kilometer away. Pain set in the following morning with very sore left shoulder and right hand, especially my pinky, which felt broken but fortunately not. I was still able to do my surgeries but with more effort and lingering pain. Two months of recovery and i was 95% ok until early morning of Dec. 2 (exactly two months after my first accident) I slipped while doing a fix in our garden waterfalls. In two seconds i hit my butt and right brow. I thought it was just a nasty slip but when i saw blood on my right hand that i realize i had a deep wound near my right eyebrow.
We were in the hospital minor operating room after an hour, me lying on the same bed that i have stood over hundreds of times before but now it was my turn to see the OR lights directly to my face. I wasn’t concerned much of the pain or the scar but the realization that I’m getting vulnerable to poorer health. Game-changer? I don’t think so. I’m still very much in my quest for my 100km bike ride. I’m still motivated to see some abs to peek out of my stubborn belly. Just give me some healing time and I’ll
be on my way again.
The glare of the OR lights shone brightly as i lay on the table. When the drape covered my eyes as my surgeon-friend started the repair everything went dim. I tried to relax and let go. Trust the surgeon and the nurse. Take the sting of the anesthesia as it pricks your wound.
Now i know how it feels to be ‘the’ patient. It was quite a humbling experience being on the other side of the OR setup…looking up instead of down.
Your surgeon is temporarily signing off for some healing…

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