Bitter Melon

[ukjeff27]

Anyone use it? would be very interested to hear peoples thoughts on it.

 

[Steff]

Is it true that bitter melon tea and capsules are effective in lowering blood sugar of diabetics?

There is one case where it is proven that it can lower blood sugar levels from people suffering from Type 2 Diabetes. Results of these scientific studies that determine the effect of drinking of bitter melon extract on blood sugar level of Type 2 Diabetes have consistently shown that bitter melon lowers blood sugar level. The effect on blood sugar is due to momordicin, a substance that is also responsible for it's bitter taste.

The effect of the bitter melon leaves lowering blood sugar level among diabetics is evident regardless of how it is prepared - boiled then eaten, in the form of tea, capsule or tablet. But diabetics should be cautioned about replacing their proprietary medicines with bitter melon teas, capsules or tablets. So far, studies were done only on a very limited number of human subjects so bitter melon and diabetes cannot be labeled conclusive.

In fact, no large clinical trial has yet been published on the preparation of Momordica charantia (bitter melon). The manufacturers of bitter melon teas, capsules and tablets themselves are not claiming healing benefits for their products. They market them only as supplements.

from what else i have read it seems good

 

[HelenP]

I've never heard of it!! But it certainly sounds interesting.............

xx

 

[ukjeff27]

going to give it a go, will report back (-: 🙂

 

[Northerner]

going to give it a go, will report back (-: 🙂

Only thing I would say Jeff, is that you should check that it doesn't have an adverse reaction with any of the meds you might be on. I know that simple things like grapefruit shouldn't be eaten if taking statins, for example, or that St John's Wort shouldn't be taken with some anti-depressants.

 

[ukjeff27]

Thanks for replying Northerner, i will check with my gp, the way i came across this was at work (im a southampton taxi driver) and got talking to an older indian lady, she told me she had been 'cured' of diabetes by this stuff!
I told her that as far as i knew there was no cure, what she told me was very interesting, she said she was diagnosed five years ago and went to see a traditional indian therapist who advised her to drink the juice of a bittermelon once a day for three days and to follow a healthy diet from that day on.
She says she now leads a normal life eating occasionally to excess and not forgoing puddings etc, her bloods are apparently normal and her english gp is shocked at her recovery but not her indian therapist as in their culture it is the norm to recover from diabetes!
sceptically i googled bittermelon and am very encouraged by what i found

http://www.ayurvediccure.com/bittermelon_diabetes.htm#bitter_melon4

 

[Adrienne]

Wow

Its a shame they don't mean type 1 as well.

 

[Northerner]

Thanks for replying Northerner, i will check with my gp, the way i came across this was at work (im a southampton taxi driver) and got talking to an older indian lady, she told me she had been 'cured' of diabetes by this stuff!
I told her that as far as i knew there was no cure, what she told me was very interesting, she said she was diagnosed five years ago and went to see a traditional indian therapist who advised her to drink the juice of a bittermelon once a day for three days and to follow a healthy diet from that day on.
She says she now leads a normal life eating occasionally to excess and not forgoing puddings etc, her bloods are apparently normal and her english gp is shocked at her recovery but not her indian therapist as in their culture it is the norm to recover from diabetes!
sceptically i googled bittermelon and am very encouraged by what i found

http://www.ayurvediccure.com/bittermelon_diabetes.htm#bitter_melon4

I wouldn't dispute that it might be helpful - I remember reading that they came up with a plant-based treatment at the same time as they were discovering insulin - it does sound though as though this lady's diabetes may be being kept under control by her diet and lifestyle adjustments as many do achieve (including the bitter melon, maybe! It would be interesting to know if she continues to take it, or if it was just 3 days. If she still takes itI wonder what would happen?)

 

[Steff]

where can i get it ?, just any fruit section of supermarket or a greengrocers?

 

[Northerner]

I wouldn't dispute that it might be helpful - I remember reading that they came up with a plant-based treatment at the same time as they were discovering insulin - it does sound though as though this lady's diabetes may be being kept under control by her diet and lifestyle adjustments as many do achieve (including the bitter melon, maybe! It would be interesting to know if she continues to take it, or if it was just 3 days. If she still takes itI wonder what would happen?)

p.s. You're in Southampton! Should have come along to our 'meet' - you'd have been more than welcome! I'll try and give plenty of warning before the next one!🙂

 

[ukjeff27]

I wouldn't dispute that it might be helpful - I remember reading that they came up with a plant-based treatment at the same time as they were discovering insulin - it does sound though as though this lady's diabetes may be being kept under control by her diet and lifestyle adjustments as many do achieve (including the bitter melon, maybe! It would be interesting to know if she continues to take it, or if it was just 3 days. If she still takes itI wonder what would happen?)

Aha thats what i thought, she was a very calm self-assured lady and as our conversation went on she explained to me what she meant by cure, the bittermelon brought the sugar down and the health diet did the rest, in her own words "if i bandaged and cured your hand then you took a knife and stabbed your hand again thats your own fault!"

 

[ukjeff27]

where can i get it ?, just any fruit section of supermarket or a greengrocers?

International food and halal meat centres apparently, most big cities have them! or you can buy the extract online or in health food shops!

Apparently its the ugliest, foulest tasting vegetable in the world! oh well we cant have it all i suppose!🙂

 

[Steff]

International food and halal meat centres apparently, most big cities have them! or you can buy the extract online or in health food shops!

Apparently its the ugliest, foulest tasting vegetable in the world! oh well we cant have it all i suppose!🙂

is it expensive

 

[ukjeff27]

p.s. You're in Southampton! Should have come along to our 'meet' - you'd have been more than welcome! I'll try and give plenty of warning before the next one!🙂

Sorry, didn't see the thread in time, count me in for the next one! havent walked the walls for years! since they opened the bridge thing and made it a proper walk in fact! its amazing how you miss things that are right under your nose!
About this bitter melon thing, i think it would be more of a trial if someone with more steady bg levels tried it, to make it more of an accurate test, you dont know anyone do you?🙂

 

[ukjeff27]

is it expensive

The extracts are, not too sure about the vegetable itself though

 

[Steff]

The extracts are, not too sure about the vegetable itself though

ty jeff seems worthy of a trip to halal market

 

[VBH]

Bitter melon has been doing the rounds for years.

Its effect is negligible if anything at all.

I notice most of the quotes and links above are from sites selling you supplements. Pubmed is a far better source of reliable information, although its a lot more effort. As far as I'm aware there's never been any study results which come to anything more than an indication it may be worth doing additional research on.

Its not a cure and its not effective and if there are any anecdotal stories claiming otherwise, I'm afraid there are other factors in play.

 

[Steff]

well ill see what i can get and see waht it tastes like

 

[ukjeff27]

Surely cant do any harm and at the very least it will add to my five a day! lol

Cant believe im laughing at myself, first time ive chuckled in ages!

 

[Steff]

dont worry jeff im guna try it to, if owt happens ill let you know lol x