Bitter Gourd /Melon OR Karela and Its Effects on Cancer and Diabetes
Many medical studies conducted in recent
years have focused on finding natural remedies for various diseases
rather than chemical drugs that often do more harm than good. Such a
groundbreaking study was recently conducted at the University of
Colorado and its results are astounding: a special plant called the
bitter melon inhibits cancerous processes in the body and at the same
time controls diabetic’s sugar levels. These special qualities of the
bitter melon can save the lives of millions of people who have cancer or
diabetes - or at least improve their quality of life.
Current treatments for cancer and tumor
development are often aggressive, so many patients hesitate to start
them. Diabetes eradication is also difficult, and patients are forced to
inject themselves on a daily basis and manage their lives around
injections and glucose tests. The news of the new study on the plant is
that it is possible to change the existing situation, to minimize the
need for cancer inhibitors and to monitor diabetics daily. In the
article below, you’ll find out what bitter melon is and how it works its
magic.
What is the bitter melon?
Bitter melon is a kind of climbing plant of the gourd family, and
despite its name, it is more like a zucchini than a melon. The origin of
this plant is in Asia, the Caribbean and Africa and they’ve been used
in these areas for thousands of years as a folk remedy and a cooking
ingredient. It has a bitter taste and is therefore used mainly for
seasoning soups, meat and other dishes, and not as a central ingredient
in meals. Unlike other fruits and vegetables, the bitter melon must be
consumed before it ripens or is near its ripening period in order to
enjoy all its benefits.
Bitter melon is now known to contain many
components, such as Vitamin A, which maintains eye and skin health, and
vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system and prevents
inflammation, as well as potassium essential for the transmission of
nerve information throughout the body and processes of cellular
metabolism. It is also rich in antioxidants such as lutein and
beta-carotene, which preserve the integrity of the cells and thus
prevent disease and inflammation. This combination of vitamins and
antioxidants creates a strong compound that helps fight various cancers
and even diabetes.
Lifesaving news for cancer patients
The study on the plant was conducted at the University of Colorado in
two ways: in test tubes and on animals. The aim of the experiments was
to examine the effect of this unique plant on pancreatic cancer, and the
results of both types of research showed that the plant inhibits
increased production of cancer cells, meaning it stops the formation of
tumors. Moreover, eating the plant even caused the "suicide" of cancer
cells!
The researchers believe the reason for this is that the bitter melon
stopped the supply of glucose to the cancer cells, and without this
vital component they could not continue to thrive and multiply. This
important discovery can save the lives of countless people around the
world because it is often impossible to detect the existence of
pancreatic cancer until an advanced stage, which may be too late.
If people consume the melon on a daily basis, they will actually be
consuming a natural anti-cancer drug. The researchers found that the
plant's consumption also helps in the treatment of other cancers, such
as prostate cancer and breast cancer, one of the most difficult types of
the disease. Future studies will examine the effects of the bitter
melon on other cancers as well.
Natural warrior against diabetes
The news about its impact on cancer is
amazing in itself, but the researchers found another advantage of bitter
melon, which is that the plant helps regulate glucose levels in the
body, meaning it can also help diabetics. Another study conducted in
2008 found that diabetes patients who consumed bitter melon improved
regulation of blood sugar levels and also developed greater sensitivity
to insulin.
In a more recent study conducted in 2011, subjects with diabetes
received 2,000 milliliters of bitter melon extract daily and the results
reinforced those of the first study: the blood sugar levels in the
patients were lower after using the bitter melon extract than its levels
prior to use.
Important Information
This unique plant has medical properties that astounded the researchers,
but this good news should be taken with great care. According to
officials at the Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, it is important to know a
few things before adding bitter melon to your daily diet:
1. Pregnant women should not consume bitter melon - the plant may cause
bleeding, uterine contractions and even miscarriage.
2. Do not consume it together with anti-diabetic / insulin medications -
A combination of bitter melon, which lowers blood glucose levels,
along with drugs with the same effect, may cause a sharp drop in blood
sugar levels and feelings of weakness and even fainting.
3. Side effects - Some people who consumed the plant reported physical
symptoms such as ulcers, allergic reactions, and palpitations.
Bitter melon
A better future
The important research conducted on bitter melon helped to discover a
natural remedy that could help and even save millions of people. If you
or any of your relatives are struggling with the diseases we have
listed, you may want to talk to a doctor and explore treatment options
that will include this unique plant. This important research and other
similar studies can change the lives of many in the future, as their
results expose us to new and unknown components that are life-saving.