Organic Bitter Melon - 60 Caplets

HIMALYA HERBAL'S BITTER MELON

Some days you walk a pretty narrow tightrope between the good things you eat and the bad things. On those days you're working without a safety net, steady yourself with Bitter Melon, a completely natural fruit that supports the body's normal blood sugar levels.

Unlike many herbs, Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) is commonly eaten as a dish, proof positive of its safety. In fact, Health Canada even recommends it on their website under "Treat Your Taste Buds," suggesting Bitter Melon as a unique new fruit to try for good nutrition.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 40 subjects. Prior to the study, chemical parameters such as fasting blood sugar, cholesterol, weight and glycosylated HG (Alc) were measured. The group was divided into the Bitter Melon group and the placebo. The Bitter Melon group reported positive indications that Bitter Melon supports Alc and other parameters with no adverse side effects.

BITTER MELON

The fruit of the bitter melon is a common food item in tropical regions. Medicinally it has traditional usages for infections, diabetes and supporting optimal cell growth. In the Western world, bitter melon is known as a hypoglycemic agent. This means that it has the ability to lower blood sugar, thus reducing the damaging effect of excess sugar that characterizes the condition diabetes.

This effect is thought to occur due to a combination of chemicals in bitter melon, rather than one constituent. In other studies, two proteins, contained in the fruit of biter melon, have been shown to have antiviral activity against HIV. However, this has yet to be proven in clinical trials.

Bitter melon juice is difficult to find in North America. Most supplements are made from encapsulated dried fruit. Be sure to purchase a product that has been standardized to the triterpene content. This is an assurance that the product contains bitter melon and has some active properties.

Bitter melon juice may cause miscarriage and should not be used in pregnancy. Because bitter melon has hypoglycemic effects those taking insulin or oral hypoglycemic drugs should use bitter melon under the care of a health professional.

BLOOD SUGAR REGULATION

Obesity is causally linked to Type II Diabetes. If you are going to take only one thing from this article, take the following message: Exercise and weight loss can prevent and, in large part, reverse diabetes. In individuals who are at high risk, diagnosed pre-diabetic or found to have impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance, weight loss can prevent diabetes and reverse these diagnoses. It can also provide significant support for individuals already diagnosed with type II diabetes, by increasing insulin sensitivity, lowering the need for medication and most importantly reducing diabetes related mortality.

These effects seem to be largely irrespective of genetic background or family history. When you factor in that diabetics have an increased risk of myocardial infarction, cardiovascular disease and stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and nerve damage, a little (weight) loss is well worth all that is gained. Effective and sustainable weight loss needs to include both caloric restriction and exercise. Some data is showing that as little as a 4.2 kg loss for an average of 3.2 years can reduce progression of Type II diabetes by 50%.

Refined carbohydrates and refined sugars need to be a thing of the past. High fibre, low glycemic complex carbohydrates, like whole grains (whole oats, brown rice, spelt, etc.) are more slowly broken down/released and can prevent spikes in blood sugar, as can protein, which should be included in every meal or snack. Aim for healthy protein options, like poultry or fish, as red meats tend to be high in saturated fat and cholesterol, leading to access weight and also worsening blood glucose control on their own. Incorporate high amounts of vegetables into your diet and a moderate amount of fruit. This is one of the only time I will say to be cautious of fruit. Fruit contains a lot of 'natural' sugars and is digested quickly. It can lead to spokes in blood sugar. In this case it is best to limit your servings of fruit to 1-2 day and try to pair it with a protein like nuts or yogurt to slow its absorption. Individuals who eat a high amount of white breads, baked goods, potatoes, white rice and candy, all high on the glycemic index and causing rapid and profound increases in blood sugar, are at an increased risk of developing type II diabetes. Chromium, can be taken as a supplement, but is also found in brewer's yeast, whole grains, onions and garlic. It is an essential mineral that plays a valuable role in glucose metabolism. Cinnamon has also been shown to moderately reduce blood sugar levels. Add 1/2 tsp. to your morning oatmeal or breakfast shake. Don't forget about how you eat, equally as important as what you eat. Don't starve yourself, just slow down. Use portion control. Enjoy 5-6 small meals/snacks a day, as opposed to 3 large ones. This will help to stabilize blood sugar throughout the day.

In terms of supplementation, herbs like gymnema and fenugreek have been shown to support healthy blood glucose levels and insulin sensitivity. Alpha lipoic acid, a potent antioxidant, as well as magnesium, often deficient in diabetics, can also prove beneficial.