Bitter gourd remedy for diabetes mellitus

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) remedy for diabetes is one of the important ayurveda remedy available for treatment of diabetes mellitus. The basic pathology behind diabetes mellitus is lack of insulin, increased resistance to insulin or both. Therefore any substance which is capable of reducing insulin resistance, increasing insulin secretion by the pancreas or both is a good candidate for diabetes mellitus treatment.

In ayurveda and most of other forms of complementary physician believe that bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) contains a such substance so it is used in treatment of diabetes.

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) has been used for medicinal purposes in several countries, especially asian countries. The fruit is consumed raw or crushed to extract juice. In diabetic patients, 50 ml of the juice improved oral glucose tolerance without altering the insulin response. Daily consumption of 0.23 kg fried bitter gourd for 8 to 11 weeks reduced the percentage of glycosylated hemoglobin and improved glucose tolerance. It may be additive to or be able to potentiate the action of sulphonylurea, so that there is a risk of hypoglycemia, if both are taken together.

The mode of action of bitter gourd has been studied. A decreased glucose absorption in the intestine has been demonstrated. This is due to the fibers available in bitter gourd and fiber do interfere with glucose absorption. Incubation of extracts with isolated pancreatic islets (site where insulin produced) increased insulin release. In the isolated hepatocytes (liver cell), the extract reduced glucose production by suppression of gluconeogenesis (glucose production). So bitter gourd remedy for diabetes mellitus is a good treatment.