Bitter melon or karela is a young, tender, edible fruit-pod in the Momordica genus of climbing vines. Although its bitter taste might turn some people away from it, in-fact, is a plant that has been used as a natural antidiabetic by some indigenous populations, and it is a true gift from nature and a great aid for people suffering from malignant diseases.
Botanically, it belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family, in the genus; Momordica, and is a member of the same family as watermelon, cantaloupes, cucumber, etc.
Scientific name: Momordica charantia
Scientific studies show that this plant can be used for some certen types of cancer, because of the active ingredients which prevent the metabolism of glucose in malignant cells and ‘’starve’’ them by reducing their needed sugar.
Saint Louis University Cancer Center had investigated the this miracles plant and they came with a conclusion that not only it destroy the cancer cells but furthermore it prevent’s them from spreading.
In another case experts from the University of Colorado Cancer Center discovered that the side effects that occur during chemotherapy, can be eliminated by the melon juice which is useful in slowing down the pancreatic tumor growth.
Memoranda charantia is very healthy because of its ingredient glycoprotein lectin since its activity resembles that of the insulin due to tha fact that it decreases glucose concentration in the blood and functions as an immunomodulator.
Because all of that it is recommended to be very helpful with liver, prostate, colon and lung cancer, leukemia and neuroblastoma.
Important NOTE, it is not recommended pregnant, breastfeeding women and children.
In addition other health benefits Bitter melon is used in traditional medicine for:
•
- Colic
•- Fever
•- Burns
•- Chronic cough
•- Painful menstruation
•- Skin conditions
The plant thrives in tropical and subtropical regions, including:
•
- South America
•- Asia
•- parts of Africa
•- the Caribbean
It has a form like a zucchini, an elongated shape.trought time it changes colors, from green to orange-yellow and in the final stage accentuated yellow color. As it opens in three parts, it shows the red seeds released.This food as a medicine is also very popular as a everyday food in the Eastern countries.
Nutritional value of 100 grams of fresh, raw bitter melon:
•- Vitamin K – 4.8 mg
•- Vitamin B1 (thiamin) – 0,040 mg
•- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) – 0,040 mg
•- Vitamin B3 (niacin) – 0,400 g
•- Vitamin C – 84 mg
•- Calories – 17 kcal
•- Carbohydrates – 3.70 g
•- Dietary fiber – 2.8 g
•- Fat – 0317 g
•- Folate – 27 µg
•- Protein – 1.00 g
•- Potassium – 296 mg
•- Calcium – 19 mg
•- Phosphorus – 31 mg
•- Magnesium – 17 mg
•- Sodium – 5 mg
This fruit is very bitter and because of its healing properties is used in nutrition and for medicine preparation. The abundance of vitamin C, potassium and phosphorus are contained in the unripe fruits, while the ripe ones are rich in lectin that reduces blood sugar.
Bitter melon is very beneficial fruit because it improves the immunity of cell functions, it kills cancerogenic cells in people with cancer and also treats HIV –infections.
This plant also proved to be very helpful in the combat against free radicals – the culprits for degenerative diseases and the aging process. Another positive side of this plant is that has a small amount of calories, but high amount of minerals and vitamins such as vitamin B1, B2, B3, and C.
As it is popular for weight loss, immunity boosting and liver detoxication we came to conclusion it is a lot more than that. An example for that Chinese and Indian, this plant served to treat fever, coughs, burns, painful menstrual cycle, colic, skin conditions, prevents malaria and viral diseases such as measles and chickenpox.
You can consume it cooked, juiced, raw or in a tincture, however you chose but remember overcosuption may cause diarrhea and abdominal pain.
According to newest studies, bitter melon is a potent tool in the fight against HIV infections, carcinomas, diabetes, and it also eliminates possible toxins from the body.
Pancreatic cancer
The clinical study conducted by the University of Colorado Cancer Center showed that bitter melon can be used in the treatment of pancreatic cancer due to its extract which lowers the glucose metabolism in pancreatic cells thus destroying them.
Scientists questioned whether they could apply the extract directly to pancreatic cancer cells since the melon extract positively affects diabetes type 2, which is a predecessor of pancreatic cancer. The study on mice’s also showed that the ones fed with bitter juice, had 60% lesser chance of developing cancer than the control group.
Breast cancer
According to another study, published in 2010, melon extract can be used as a cure for breast cancer. Bitter melon helps in the treatment of breast cancer cells with its extract in a way in which it lowers the cells proliferation and induced apoptotic cell death. This apoptosis was followed by increased polymerase cleavage and caspace activation.
Breast cancer
Another study, published in 2010, deduced that bitter melon extract can cure breast cancer. The treatment of breast cancer cells with this extract resulted in lowering of the cells proliferation and induced apoptotic cell death. This apoptosis was followed by increased polymerase cleavage and caspase activation. The study also confirmed that BME modulates signal transduction pathways for inhibition of breast cancer cell growth and can be used as a dietary supplement for prevention of breast cancer.
Diabetes
Scientist decided to test bitter melon anti- diabetic properties since it has been used as a natural cure for fiabetes for centuries now. The isolated three major compounds from bitter melon, identified ad hypoglycemic agents:
Vicine –By intraperitoneal administration, vicine induces hypoglycemia in non-diabetic fasting rats.
A clinical study, conducted in January 2011 and published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, confirmed that using 2000mg bitter melon per day, significantly decreased the blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes type 2, eventhough the hypoglecimic effect was lower than 100 mg day dose of Metformin.
Charantin – it is a typical cucurbitane: type triterpenoid and a substance with antidiabetiv properties. According to the research, this compound is more potent than the oral agent tolbutamide.
Polypeptide –p- a hypoglucemic protein which when injected subcutaneously, lowers blood glucose levels in gerbils, langurs and humans. It can be used as a plant-based insulin replacement in patients with diabetes type 1 because it resembles the action of human insulin in the body.
Bitter melon can be taken in several forms: it can be eaten as a fruit, made into juice, the seeds can be added to food in a powdered form, or it can be used in the form of a decoction by boiling pieces of the melon in water. Alternatively, bitter melon extract can be bought as a herbal supplement.
The fruit itself is available in Asian food stores and grocery shops, while other forms of the fruit-vegetable can be found in most health food shops.
If you’re thinking of adding bitter melon to your diet, make sure you limit yourself to no more than two ounces of bitter melon (or more than two melons) a day, as excessive consumption can cause mild abdominal pain or diarrhea.
If you are considering using bitter melon for glycemic control, you should consult your doctor or healthcare professional first to check that it is safe for use alongside your prescribed diabetes medication, as there is the risk that taking bitter melon together with these drugs and/or insulin could cause hypoglycemia.
Source: www.fhfn.org
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