Bitter Melon...another cancer cure, also works on diabetes

[link to www.express.co.uk]
Scientists have found that the warty green fruit used in ancient Chinese medicine, restricts the ability of pancreatic cancer cells to metabolise glucose, cutting the cells’ energy source and eventually killing them.

Previous research has hailed the benefits of the unusual fruit which has been shown to contain natural chemicals which can help treat Type 2 diabetes.

Scientists discovered that it contains four bioactive compounds which activate an enzyme in the human body called AMPK.

The enzyme, also triggered by exercise, helps fat and muscle cells to use blood glucose effectively but is not activated properly in Type 2 sufferers.

Bitter melon extract has been used in Chinese medicine for hundreds of years, with no reported side effects.

Now, new research published in the journal Carcinogenesis shows that bitter melon juice could also be a powerful cancer treatment.

Rajesh Agarwal, co-program leader of Cancer Prevention and Control at the University of Colorado Cancer Centre and professor at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in the USA said: “Three years ago researchers showed the effect of bitter melon extract on breast cancer cells only in a Petri dish. This study goes much, much farther.