Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Melissa (son Payton) on August 24, 2010 at 6:11pm

Unless bitter melon can rejenerate beta cells out of nothing, it won't reverse diabetes for Type I. My curiousity is peaked though; if it can stabilize blood glucose, that would be good. I actually have $50 worth of books on the subject, I'll see if bitter melon is in it.

Permalink Reply by Jan on August 30, 2010 at 12:22pm

Read that a couple of tablespoons of vinegar before eating can stabilize blood sugar... Nothing wrong with using food to try to prevent spikes or stabilize blood sugars. I'm sure you know, as a parent of a Type 1 child, they will be insulin dependent until a cure is found. Bitter melon is most definitely not it.

Permalink Reply by suzie's mum on September 13, 2010 at 11:54pm

I was told that bitter gourd/melon can be very good for diabetes by a Phillipino friend of mine. Doubt it will cure it, but it is probably stuffed full of dietry fibre or something that helps regulate glucose. Having juiced a bitter gourd and tried some was not surprised when my LO refused to have anything to do with it even after I tried making it more palatable! Wikki Bitter Melon and there is quite a bit of info, could be helpful for type II

Permalink Reply by Jan on September 15, 2010 at 8:00am

Hmmm, interesting..... Maybe it comes in pill form. My worry is, yes, I know there are some herbs and substances that can lower blood sugar, presumably in Type 1s as well, but unless a Type 1 can reliably know that X amount of bitter melon lowers BS X amount of points 100 percent of the time, there could be the danger of unexpected and possibly severe lows. So unless there were a way of scientifically making sure strength of each serving of bitter melon was the same..... I would consider it too risky to try. If she wants to lower her blood sugar quickly, a ten minute bike ride, jumping on her rebounder for just a short ten minute period will lower BS quite a bit. And we have a good idea of how much she will drop. She is not allowed on the trampoline anymore but 15 minutes on a tramp lowers her BS about 60 to 80 points. Swimming even moreso. And the exercise effect can last up to 24 hours. So I would rather she use exercise to lower blood sugar and it has other benefits as well.