BITTER GOURD ( Karela) What is Bitter gourd? Bitter Gourd is the English name of Momordica Charantia. It is a tropical and subtropical vine of the family Cucurbitaceae, widely grown in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean for its edible fruit, which is among the most bitter of all fruit. Although bitter, it has been used to fight cancer, diabetes and many infectious diseases. What are the active constituents in bitter gourd? The plant contains several biologically active compounds, chiefly momordicin I and momordicin II, and cucurbitacin B. The plant also contains several bioactive glycosides (including momordin, charantin, charantosides, goyaglycosides, momordicosides) and other terpenoid compounds (including momordicin-28, momordicinin, momordicilin, momordenol, and momordol). It also contains lectin. USES • How does bitter gourd work for diabetes to help lower blood sugar? The main phychemicals associated with the hypoglycemic effect of bitter melon include alkaloids and peptides known as charantins and polypeptide-p that mimic insulin. It has been found to increase insulin sensitivity, compounds in bitter gourd have been found to activate the AMPK, the protein that regulates glucose uptake a process which is impaired in diabetics. Bitter gourd also contains a lectin that has insulin-like activity. The blood sugar lowering effect is noticeable within 30 to 60 minutes after taking the bitter gourd extract. The blood sugar lowered with the help of bitter melon might remain at the low level for several days even after discontinuing the herbal treatment. It also significantly improves glucose tolerance in diabetics. • How does bitter gourd reduce serum cholesterol? Excess cholesterol build-up reduces sensitivity to insulin. The phytocompounds in Bitter gourd like Lectins have antilipolytic and lipogenic activities helps to improve insulin sensitivity by inhibiting activity of the circulating serum cholesterol and thus helps reduce the total amount of circulating cholesterol and increase insulin senstivity. • How does Bitter Gourd help the pancreas? Consumption of Bitter Gourd is known to double the number of beta cells, total beta cells area and the islet size in the pancreas of diabetics. Bitter Gourd treated diabetics tend to have more insulin granules. • How does Bitter Gourd help protect vital organs from damage in diabetics? Disorder in glucose metabolism alters the normal antioxidant enzymes level. Diabetes complications are triggered by oxidative stress. Untreated diabetes is linked to oxidative damage to the heart, kidneys, liver and other organs. Bitter melon fruit pulp and seeds helps to improve the antioxidant activities in the body. By boosting the antioxidant activities, bitter gourd protect the vital organs from diabetes-induced oxidative stress and also high levels of sugars are known to accelerate the rate of cataract formation, so bitter gourd helps in delaying the formation or onset of cataract in diabetic people. Bitter gourd being rich in all the essential vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin A, B1, B2, C and Iron, its regular use helps to prevent many complications such as hypertension, eye complications, neuritis and defective metabolism of carbohydrates. It helps to increase body's resistance against infection. • How is bitter gourd hepatoprotective? Bitter gourd has the ability to protect the liver from a number of problems. Mainly the bitter principles are responsible to show hepatoprotective properties, and because of the high amount of vitamins and antioxidants it prevents the liver from free radical damage. Therefore it can be used to treat a number of liver related disorders like hepatitis, malaria, jaundice and liver cirrhosis. As bitter gourd also reduces circulating serum cholesterol it is also prevents fatty liver infiltration. • Weight loss and source of mineral and vitamins In combination with Chinese yam, bitter melon has been shown to contribute to weight loss. Over a period of 23 weeks, those eating the diet containing bitter melon lost 7 kilos This vegetable contains vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B9, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin K. The list of minerals–phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium. Other uses of Bitter Gourd. • Antihelmintic and GIT problem Bitter gourd is used to treat gastrointestinal diseases, and extracts have shown activity against the nematode worm. • Antimalarial Bitter gourd is traditionally regarded in Asia as useful for preventing and treating malaria. • Antiviral The plant is traditionally used against viral diseases such as chickenpox and measles. Tests with extracts have shown activity against the herpes simplex type 1 virus. • Blood disorders Bitter gourd juice is highly beneficial for treating blood disorders like blood boils and itching due to toxemia. • Anticancer Two compounds extracted from bitter gourd have been found to induce apoptosis of leukemia cells, causes a chain of events which helps to kill breast cancer cells and prevents them from multiplying. • Other uses Energy: Regular consumption of bitter gourd juice has been proven to improve energy and stamina level. Even sleeping patterns have been shown to be improved/stabilized. Eye problems: The high beta-carotene and other properties in bitter gourd make it one of the finest vegetable-fruit that help alleviate eye problems and improving eyesight. Immune booster: This bitter juice can also help to build your immune system and increase your body's resistance against infection. .