MedS Aid Newsletter 7th - 13th of October | Page 8

they are “insulin resistant.” Feeding trials with insulin resistant or Type II
diabetic rats and mice have shown that bitter gourd helps to prevent or
reverse insulin resistance. People with insulin resistance or those with a high
risk of developing Type II diabetes have a good chance to prevent and treat
the disease without drugs by increasing their physical activity and changing
their diet.
Chronically high sugar concentrations from Type I and Type II diabetes
increase the risk of inflammation and oxidation in the whole body, leading to
blindness, diabetic feet, kidney disease, stroke, or heart attack. Consuming
bitter gourd can help prevent these complications, as it not only
decreases blood sugar levels, but also has some antioxidative properties.
Being overweight is one of the most important risk factors for diabetes
and other diseases, and Type II diabetes is often accompanied by
hypertension, high plasma cholesterol, or high plasma lipids. Together, these
conditions increase the risk of stroke or heart attack. For overweight Type II
diabetic patients, bitter gourd can help to improve health. In mice and rats,
bitter gourd has been shown to reduce hypertension, plasma cholesterol, and
plasma lipids. Apart from this, bitter gourd helps weight loss. There is also
evidence that bitter gourd might be effective in cancer treatment.
Exclusive consumption of bitter gourd, bitter gourd juice, or other
bitter gourd products can lead to dangerous hypoglycemia when consumed by
diabetic patients under oral drug treatment, in too high dosages, by children,
or on a hungry stomach. Pregnant or breastfeeding woman should not
consume bitter gourd or bitter gourd products. Although bitter gourd can help
prevent insulin resistance or severe diabetic complications, it is important to
consider situations in which bitter gourd may be harmful to your health.