Treating Diabetes With Bitter Melon

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Bitter Melon: Botany

Bitter melon, scientifically known as Momordica charantia, is of the plant family Cucurbitaceae. It is a tropical vine that is known to be grown for the production of fruit, namely bitter melon. Bitter melon is also commonly referred to as bitter gourd and is considered to be the most bitter of the edible vegetables. The plant itself is noted to have the presence of yellow flowers along its vines. The fruit produces looks similar to a cucumber.

Bitter Melon: Historical Use

Bitter melon has been utilized for centuries in Asian traditional medicine, particularly to stimulate digestion. Bitter melon is commonly used as a demulcent, an agent that is known to provide soothing relief accompanied by decreases in inflammation and pain. Bitter melon has also historically be used for the treatment of numerous infections, leukemia, certain cancers, and diabetes.

Bitter Melon and Diabetes

Historically, bitter melon has been correlated with the natural ability to aid the control of insulin production by the body. There are currently three substances found within bitter melon that have been associated ability to reduce blood glucose (sugar) levels. These three substances include oleanolic acid glycosides, charantin, and polypeptide P. It remains scientifically unproven if it is one of these individual substances that is responsible for the overall lowering and maintenance of blood sugar levels, or if a combination of these substances is necessary.

Bitter Melon: Charantin

Bitter melon has been used as a hypoglycemic agent, an agent that lowers blood sugar. One of the active ingredients of bitter melon is a steroid known as charantin. It is theorized, though not scientifically proven, that charantin is one of the ingredients of bitter melon that is responsible for this hypoglycemic effect.

Bitter Melon: Polypeptide-P

Another substance located within bitter melon that is associated with hypoglycemic effects is polypeptide-p. All polypeptides are comprised of many amino acid molecules organized into a small protein. This particular polypeptide, polypeptide-p, has a molecular structure that is similar to insulin and is correlated, but not scientifically proven, to aid in the lowering of overall blood sugar levels.

Bitter Melon: Oleanolic Acid Glycosides

The final substance isolated from bitter melon that has been associated with the overall ability to lower blood sugar levels is oleanolic acid glycosides. There is little scientific evidence to support that this molecule alone is responsible for the lowering of blood glucose levels. However, preliminary studies have linked oleanolic acid glycosides with the ability to inhibit glucose absorption from the intestines, but not with the ability to increase insulin productivity.

Bitter Melon: Precautions

It is recommended that women that are pregnant or may become pregnant avoid the use of bitter melon, as it has also historically been utilized as an abortive. It has been also been documented to have some ability to decrease fertility if used in to high of doses. Diabetics should utilize caution with use, as it lowers blood sugar and could cause hypoglycemia if not used correctly. As with all medications and treatments, it is recommended that you discuss the use of bitter melon with your physician.

Sources:

http://www.bittermelon.org/pages/heal/research_diabetes.html

http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/duke/chemical.pl?CHARANTIN