Good For Eyes & Prevents Vision
Bitter gourd is good for our eyes and improves our ocular health.
Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients and polyphenols protect the eyes from free radical damage, and thus minimizes the risk of age-related macular degeneration, cataract, and glaucoma, etc.
Vitamin A is an essential mineral for our eyes as it improves vision and prevents eye dryness and minimizes the risk of night-blindness.
The anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin C minimize the risk of inflammatory glaucoma.
Other nutrients like zinc, selenium, potassium and B vitamins, etc also play a significant role in keeping our eyes healthy.
Bitter Melon And Diabetes
Bitter melon is a plant that gets its name from its taste. It becomes more and more bitter as it ripens.
It grows in a number of areas, including Asia, South America, the Caribbean, and East Africa. People have used bitter melon for a variety of medical conditions over time.
Bitter melon contains many nutrients that can be beneficial to your health. Its linked to lowering blood sugar, which some studies suggest means it can aid in diabetes treatment.
Bitter melon is considered a complementary or alternative medicine. Therefore, the use of bitter melon isnt approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of diabetes or any other medical condition.
Is Bitter Gourd Good For Kidney Disease Patient
2013-04-28 11:34
Bitter gourd, also called bitter melon, is usually not only used as an ingredient for cooking delicious delicacies but also used for medical purpose. Is bitter gourd good for kidney disease patient? Can it bring them healthy benefits?
Bitter gourd has a history as a folkloric remedy in Africa, Asia, and Latin, because of its rich nutrition and benefits. For people with kidney disease, consuming bitter gourd can affect their health.
The rich vitamin C determines bitter gourd is able to prevent cardiovascular disease and help improve the kidney filtering rate so that more wastes can be removed from the body. According to your preference, it is OK for you to consume by cooking delicacies or drinking juice.
As lifestyle changes, diabetes has been the leading cause of kidney disease especially end-stage kidney disease. It is reported by the University of Maryland Medical Center that bitter gourd can help lower high blood sugar level for people who have diabetes or kidney disease caused by diabetes.
The leaves of bitter gourd are also used to treatment some ailments. It can improve patients immunity to prevent infections that may worsen patients condition and cause further kidney damage easily. When you start to see the symptoms of infections caused by malaria, boil some bitter gourd leaves and drink it like a tea, and then you can find your health quality is improved largely.
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Amazing Health Benefits Of Bitter Gourd
Bitter gourd or bitter melon is a tropical and subtropical vine of the Cucurbitaceae family, and is native to South Asia but now grown in different regions of the world. It is used both as a food and medicine and is considered bitter among all fruits and vegetables. The abundance of nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and polyphenols, etc makes them very beneficial for us as they provide numerous health and beauty benefits.
For Dealing With Kidney Stones
A kidney stone is one of the terrible health issues. And surprisingly, bitter gourd can help in getting rid of the stones by breaking them in a natural way. Bitter gourd is effective in reducing the high acid levels in the body that generate kidney stones that are painful. Bitter gourd would naturally break the stones and remove them from the body through urine. For this, the powder of bitter melon is used with water to make a healthy tea. You also dont need to add any sweetening powder, sugar, honey, etc. to the tea as it comes with a tasty nutty flavor that isnt bitter.
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For Cleaning The Liver
Had a good night party with an uncountable number of drinks? Having hangover? All these can be easily worked on with the help of bitter gourd. The juice of Karela when sipped comes with a strong impact on the intoxication of alcohol that has settled in the liver. It cleans the liver and bowel thoroughly and also protects your liver from any kind of issue. According to a study, Karela or bitter gourd juice also plays a vital role in protecting the liver from failing as it strengthens the anti-oxidant elements in the enzymes and boosts the bladder function too.
What Are The Facts About Herbal Supplements
The following facts about herbal supplements are true for everyone, with or without kidney disease. Herbal supplements often have more than one name: a common name and a plant name. Some common concerns include:
- The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate herbal supplements for dose, content, or pureness.
- Some herbal supplements have aristolochic acid, which is harmful to kidneys.
- Herbal supplements made in other countries may have heavy metals.
- There are few studies to show if herbal supplements have real benefits and even less information in patients with kidney disease.
- Herbal supplements may interact with prescription medicines to either decrease or increase how the medicine works.
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Can Lauki Juice Cause Death
This kind of toxicity is extremely rare and very few cases have been reported. In recent times it has been unearthed that bottle gourd juice with a bitter taste can cause severe toxic reactions and lead to symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, hematemesis, hematochezia, shock and death.
Which Is The Most Bitter Vegetable
Cruciferous Vegetables The cruciferous family contains many bitter-tasting vegetables including broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, radishes and arugula. These foods contain compounds called glucosinolates, which give them their bitter taste and are responsible for many of their health benefits .
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Boost Our Immune System
Bitter gourd strengthens our immune system, the defense mechanism of the body that prevents and treats microbial infections, injuries, diseases, and wounds.
Antioxidants like vitamin A, vitamin C, and other relevant antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients and polyphenols protect our immune cells aka white blood cells from free radical damage, and thus strengthens our immunity.
Vitamin C enhances the production of white blood cells in the body and further strengthens our immunity.
With stronger immunity, our risk of getting a cough, cold, fever, and flu, etc reduces drastically.
The antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties of the bitter gourd protect us from the ill effects of microbial infections and further strengthens immunity.
Other nutrients like iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium, and B vitamins in bitter gourd also contribute to stronger immune health.
What Are The Possible Side Effects Of Having Bitter Gourd
After going through the health benefits of bitter gourd, it can be learned that bitter gourd is much helpful for your health, skin, and hair. However, one must keep a watch on the quantity of bitter gourd. When consumed in moderate quantity, it is surely nutritious and healthy, but high amounts can surely come up with some health issues. Here are some of the possible side effects of bitter gourd.
- If consumed in high quantities, it can lead to health issues like stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- Bitter gourd is also not recommended to pregnant women as it can lead to adverse impacts on long-term pregnancy.
- If you are on any medications for lowering blood sugar levels, you need to take the advice of the doctor before consuming it.
- If the bitter gourd juice is taken in high quantity, it can result in diarrhea or abdominal pain too.
- When an excess of seeds is consumed of bitter gourd, it can lead to conditions like fever, headache, as well as coma too.
Apart from this, if you are suffering from any medical conditions, or are on medications, it is better to consult the doctor before consuming bitter gourd or the supplements for it.
Summary
So, how are you thinking to add bitter gourd in your diet? Share with us your views as well as unique Karela recipes with a healthy statement.
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Is It Good To Drink Bitter Gourd Juice Daily
A glass of bitter gourd juice daily in the morning is greatly recommended for the diabetics. The vegetable is rich in Polypeptide-P that can prevent sudden spike in sugar levels. Ayurvedic practitioners prescribe at least 2 ml of thick bitter gourd juice mixed with water daily to significantly bring down sugar levels.
Dr Ergins Advanced Glucose Support Supplement Helps To Maintain Healthy Insulin Level
Bitter melon is beneficial for diabetes, kidney stones, pancreatic cancer, and obesity. It is available in various forms. You can consume it as fruit, juice, or as an herbal supplement. But always consult your doctor before using any supplement. I would recommend pregnant women, children, and patients to avoid consumption of the excess amount of it. Excessive consumption may cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. Diabetics should reduce the amount of sugar in their diet.
AHMET ERGIN, MD, FACE, CDCES, ECNU ENDOCRINOLOGIST
2260 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. Ste 212 Unit #7 West Palm Beach, FL 561-462-5053
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What Are The Side Effects Of Ampalaya Leaf Extract
Ampalaya leaf extract is a folkloric remedy for various stomach ache and problems that include indigestion, dyspepsia, parasite infestation, diarrhea and constipation. Hepatoprotection activity. Ampalaya is used as a herbal remedy to protect the liver from damage due to intake of alcohol and other harmful substances. Skin problems.
What Is Bitter Melon
Momordica charantia goes by several common names around the world, including bitter melon, bitter gourd, balsam, bitter apple and carilla fruit. It belongs to the cucurbitaceae plant family and today is primarily grown in two varieties for its medicinal benefits , mostly throughout parts of India.
Over a dozen different species of the plant can be found growing throughout the world, and the beneficial properties, taste, texture, size and appearance differ from plant species to species. The most widely grown type of bitter melon plant produces a small, round fruit that has a distinct, highly sour/tart taste.
The immature fruit is sometimes eaten as a vegetable and added to stir-fries or other recipes, especially throughout Asia. It can be consumed both raw and when cooked, as well as used to make a concentrated extract that contains high levels of anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral compounds.
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How Do You Reduce Bitterness
The Fix: Balance bitter flavors by introducing something salty, sweet, or sour. For naturally bitter foods such as kale, you can soften the flavor by add a lemony vinaigrette, Parmesan cheese, and pomegranate seeds. You can also elevate kale by tossing it olive oil and salt, then roasting it in the oven until crispy.
Helps In Treating Respiratory Disorders
Bitter gourd is good for our lungs and improves our respiratory health.
It contains antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A and other relevant compounds that protect our respiratory system from free radical damage, and minimizes the risk of lung cancer. It promotes our respiratory system to work at an optimal level.
The anti-inflammatory properties of the vitamin C in bitter gourd reduce lung inflammation and is beneficial against respiratory problems like asthma and bronchial asthma.
Antioxidants strengthen the immune system and minimize the risk of respiratory problems like cough and cold etc.
The anti-microbial properties of the bitter gourd also improve our respiratory health.
Other nutrients like iron, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin B complex also contribute to better respiratory health.
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Helps In Preventing Cancer
Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A and other antioxidant compounds like phytonutrients and polyphenols protect the cells and tissues from free radical damage, and thus minimizes the risk of several cancers like colon cancer, abdominal cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, and lung cancer, etc. It protects the skin cells from free radical damage and minimizes the risk of leukemia.
Free radicals are the unstabilized ions that stabilize by stealing electrons from the neighboring molecules, and while doing so, it causes oxidative damage to them.
What Are The Nutrients Obtained From Bitter Gourd
Bitter gourd or say Karela is a pack of a number of essential nutrients. The list includes calories, carbs, Vitamin A and C, Fiber, Folate, Zinc, Potassium, Iron, Magnesium, etc. Compared to Spinach and Broccoli, Karela contains twice the level of calcium and Beta-Carotene. Similarly, it also contains higher levels of potassium compared to that obtained from bananas. Again, if you are going with the Bitter Gourd juice, the juice wouldnt lose any of the ingredients in the process. The nutritional level remains the same in the juice too.
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May Cause Kidney Problems
Excess consumption of bitter gourd may alter kidney functions. Mice studies show that the administration of bitter melon up to 4000 mg/kg is considered to be safe, and it didnt show any effect on mice kidney function. Intake of excess bitter gourd may cause kidney problems . However, more studies are required to understand its effect on humans.
Bitter gourd is extremely beneficial in a lot of ways. It is a healthy addition to your diet. However, excess consumption of bitter gourd may lead to several side effects, like miscarriage, interactions with diabetes medication, and irregular heart rhythm.
More long-term research focused on the adverse effects of bitter gourd is required. Consult a doctor in case you experience any side effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we drink bitter gourd juice daily?
Yes. Drinking bitter gourd juice daily is good for health. However, people with diabetes should consult a doctor before consumption.
Can I drink bitter gourd juice at night?
The antioxidant properties of the bitter gourd flush out all toxins from the body and helps detoxification of the liver . You may drink bitter gourd juice at night.
10 sources
- Forbidden Foods for Healthy Pregnancy, International Journal of Scientific Research and Reviews, ResearchGate.
Is It Ok To Give My Cat A Melon
Whatever the type of melon, here are a few tips on giving your cat a bit of melon safely: Only offer melon occasionally as a treat. Too much may give them diarrhea! Make sure to remove any trace of the rind. Remove all seeds from the melon before giving it to your cat. The seeds arent good for cats and can pose a choking hazard.
Can you get bitter melon naturally from foods? What are the risks? Bitter melon is a plant that grows in parts of Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and South America. It grows a fruit that looks like a cucumber. People use bitter melon as both a food and a traditional medicine. Why do people take bitter melon?
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Effective In Treating Cholera
The antibacterial properties of the bitter gourd minimize the risk of cholera, a deadly disease that spread like an epidemic and affects peoples of almost all age groups.
For minimizing cholera risk, take two teaspoons of bitter gourd juice and an equal portion of white onion juice together, and add a teaspoon of lime juice to it. Consume the solution regularly.
Is Bitter Melon Bad For Kidneys
There are no human studies indicating harm to the kidneys from bitter melon. Some rat studies show long-term use at excessive doses can cause kidney damage as can any food or medicine. Very high doses are considered more than 4000 mg daily. In our SugarMD diabetes supplement, we use 1000 mg to keep safe and affective.
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Can You Get Bitter Melon Naturally From Foods
Can you get bitter melon naturally from foods? What are the risks? Bitter melon is a plant that grows in parts of Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and South America. It grows a fruit that looks like a cucumber. People use bitter melon as both a food and a traditional medicine. Why do people take bitter melon?
Bitter Melon & Liver Failure
Liver failure is a life-threatening condition that demands immediate medical care.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
If detected early, liver failure can often be treated and its effects reversed. Several traditional therapies use the extract of bitter melon to treat liver conditions successfully. However, consult with a physician before using alternative therapies for any medical condition.
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Is It Safe To Use Herbal Supplements If I Have Kidney Disease
You may think about using herbal supplements to help with any health concerns you may have, but as a patient with kidney disease, you should use caution with herbal supplements.
Use of herbal supplements is often unsafe if you have kidney disease since some herbal products can cause harm to your kidneys and even make your kidney disease worse. Also, your kidneys cannot clear waste products that can build up in your body.
The herbal supplement market is a multi-million dollar business. You may hear from a friend or family member about an herbal supplement that they think has improved their health or well-being and they suggest it to you. While this advice may be fine for them, it can be dangerous for you with kidney disease.
Is Banana Good For Diabetes
Bananas are a safe and nutritious fruit for people with diabetes to eat in moderation as part of a balanced, individualized diet plan. A person with diabetes should include fresh, plant food options in the diet, such as fruits and vegetables. Bananas provide plenty of nutrition without adding many calories.
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