 Its
scientific word is Momordica (Genus) Charantia (Species) and
belongs to Cucurbitaceae “gourd” family . Bitter
Melon is a vine that produces a melon-like fruit resembling
a small cucumber with deeply lobed leaves, and yellow flowers.
All parts of the plant taste bitter. In United States, its
other name is Balsam Pear, in the Philippines Ampalaya, Nagai
Uri in Japan, in China it is known as Fukwa, in India Karela,
and Cerasee in South America. It is widely use in the Orient,
Caribbean and South America as food. For centuries, Bitter
Melon has been used as a traditional medicine in South and
Central America, India, Sri-Lanka, the West Indies, China,
the Philippines, various parts of the Far East and many parts
of the world as folk medicine for a variety of illnesses,
including diabetes, anemia, hypertension, worms, parasites,
digestive disorders, common cold, flu, fever, constipation
in children, viral infection and even as a blood tonic to
improve skin complexion.
Scientific Tests Have Proven the Anti-Diabetic
Potency of Bitter Melon
How does it work in the body?
Bitter Melon drew much attention from many scientists and
medical researchers from all over the world. Human clinical
trials as well as experimental models have confirmed the
anti-diabetic strengths of Bitter Melon. Several clinical
studies confirmed that it is beneficial in controlling the
symptoms of diabetes. It also reduces total cholesterol.
One of the chemical compounds of bitter melon is Momordica
contains an insulin-like Polypeptide-p that lowers blood
sugar levels in people with Type I Diabetes. Unlike insulin,
polypeptide-p does not stimulate the movement of fat into
fat cells. Since it appears to have fewer side effects than
insulin, it has been suggested as a replacement for some
patients, although it cannot completely replace insulin.
Another chemical constituents is Charantin, is a hypoglycemic
agent composed of mixed steroids in which oral administration
of bitter melon has shown good results in patients with
Type II Diabetes. It may enhance Type 2 Diabetics’
ability to control blood sugar, with its ability to enhance
cells’ uptake of glucose, promotes insulin release
and to potentiate the effect of insulin. It has been shown
in clinical and laboratory tests to reduce rises in blood
sugar after meals and have also indicate that it may reduce
oxidative stress caused by diabetes. The three substances
in Bitter Melon which include a mixture of steroidal saponins,
insulin like peptides and alkaloids. The interplay of active
anti-hyperglycemic protein compounds help diabetics in a
number of ways:
- First they improve the body’s capability for
glucose tolerance. This means that the protein enzymes
of Bitter Melon helps the body to efficiently digest sugar
and carbohydrates upon food intake.
- Second, these phytochemicals lowers blood sugar level.
Sugar that is
taken in by the body is immediately broken down instead
of getting absorbed and inefficiently stored.
- Third, they stimulate insulin release from the pancreatic
cells. This is
most beneficial to people with Diabetes who need long-term
insulin treatment. With the availability of this PLANT
INSULIN, a diabetic’s regular medication may now
be reduced.
Clinical Research for Other Health
Problems
BITTER MELON EXTRACT is a useful agent for treating infections
caused by retrovirus, and is being studied that it may be
used to prevent the transmission of HIV. Two proteins, the
alpha-momorcharin and beta-momorcharin have been shown in
some studies that it may inhibit AIDS virus. But Bitter
Melon are also being closely studied for their ANTI-CANCEROUS
properties. One of the components of bitter melon extract
may be effective in slowing the growth or spread of some
types pf cancer, particularly breast cancer as some studies
suggest. Five of the plant’s phytochemicals have been
well documented as having cytotoxic properties, in which
they’ve shown to both kill and inhibit the growth
of cancer cells in vitro.
Numerous studies have also demonstrated the “ANTI-CANCEROUS”
and “ANTI-LEUKEMIC” activity of bitter melon
against numerous cell lines. An as yet unidentified constituent
in bitter melon inhibit enzyme guanylate cyclase that may
benefit people with Psoriasis. Bitter melon extracts may
also be useful in treating chronic fatigue syndrome and
herpes as well. In treating acyclovir-resistant strains,
bitter melon is 100 to 1,000 times more effective because
chronic fatigue syndrome has been connected to herpes infections,
bitter melon may be useful in treating that disorder as
well. However, research in humans is limited at this time.
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