Can Bitter Melon Really Help Type 2 Diabetes?
A study that appeared in this month's online issue of Chemistry and Biology, has isolated four compounds in bitter melon that activate an enzyme that is responsible for regulating metabolism and transporting glucose from the blood into the cells.
Isolating these compounds could lead to medications that someday could control obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Does this mean that all those claims that tout bitter melon as a cure for diabetes are for real? That may be an exaggeration, but this study does prove that at least there are legitimate compounds in bitter melon that do help move glucose into cells.
Many medications that are used today came from natural substances. Byetta was created after studies of gila monster saliva showed a compound that slowed gastric emptying, and helped regulate glucose levels. That doesn't mean that stalking a gila monster and swiping it's saliva will do the same thing as Byetta.
As far as self-dosing with bitter melon, who can say what a safe amount is? And since supplements are not regulated, how can you be sure that the quality of what you're taking is the best or even that there is any bitter melon in the supplement at all?
Check with your doctor before trying supplements or unproven compounds, even ones that have been on the market for long time, such as bitter melon. And never stop taking prescribed medications without first consulting with your doctor.
Photo courtesy of Lotus Hoshikawa/A.collection/Getty Images
Comments
There is no disease without treatment told Mohammad,prophete of muslim.
Diabetes has its root in our mind.Auyrveda believes jeleous men affected much more to diabetes.
Bitter melon is just an drop in this manic fire
Check out the press release from the Garvin Institute on this topic. A TV Report in Australia showed diabetic mice that had been treated with the compound and postulated that human trials were not far away. Hope this is true.
I can’t imagine anybody overdosing on this stuff, have you ever tasted it?! It’s awful!
Gastrointerstinal diabetic surgery is a cure for diabetes type 2. This is performed by Dr. Rubino at Weil medical college.
My mother liked the dish of Bitter melon & beef, but she only ate the bitter melon. She was a diabetic.
I am 38 yr old male with adult onset diabetes (type 2), with moderately high level of activity. I have been taking metformin and controlling diet to treat the diabetes with moderate success. Since trying bitter melon supplements in capsule form I have noticed improvements in blood glucose level of about 10-20% and feel better overall. I noticed improvement after about 12 hours.
Eric,
How much do you take (bitter melon)?
I have implemented bitter melon into my herbal remedies. I am insulin resistance. I take bitter melon in capsule form. I purchased it at a whole food store. I take it 500 mg 2wice a day. I noticed a difference.
It’s all well and good that the four active molecules enhance the transport of glucose into cells. But then, what is being left unsaid is what’s going to happen to this newly transported glucose in the cell. There must have been a good reason for the decrease in the number of transporters in the first place. Probably lack of exercise or bad dietary habits such as excessive consumption. As a result, the cells are shutting out un-needed glucose, which then probably accumulates in the blood leading to classic diabetic symptoms. Now then, just by bringing them back artificially is not going to create a (currently non-existent) need for the glucose that is coming in…How does the cell get rid of the calories that are coming with this new glucose?? What happens to the new energy released from this glucose following glycolysis (these are sedentary folks, yes?) Where will the 3- or 2-carbon metabolites go? Do they act as substrates to build extra fats and fatty acids (which can’t be good for one either)?
Lots of unanswered questions..
I keep reading “check with your doctor before taking supplements”. Why should we talk to a doctor who usually looks at you like you’re an alien speaking in an alien language when you mention supplements and then the doctor usually says don’t take it. You people should be referring people to a professional herbalist or nutritional practioner. Doctor!