By Jimmy Downs
Thursday April 25, 2013 (foodconsumer.org) -- A study in Cancer Research suggests that eating bitter melon (Momordica charantia) may help fight breast cancer by promoting apoptosis.
Ratna B. Ray from Department of Pathology, Saint Louis University in St. Louis, MO and colleagues conducted the study and found bitter melon extract inhibits breast cancer cell proliferation by promoting apoptosis, which is missing in cancer cells.
Treatments are available for treating advanced breast cancer, but the authors pointed out that eventually patients develop resistance to the treatments making them ineffective. That is, other treatments or preventatives such as protective diet are highly desirable.
This study was intended to examine the therapeutic effect of bitter melon, also called bitter gourd on human breast cancer cells MCF-7 and MDA-MA-231 and primary human mammary epithelial cells.
The researchers found the treatment of breast cancer cells with bitter melon extract led to a significant decrease in cell proliferation and induced apoptosis, or programmed cell deaths, a process needed to kill cancer cells.
Along with apoptosis of breast cancer cells were found a series of favorable biochemical changes that modulate signaling pathways for the inhibition of breast cancer cell growth.
The researchers concluded " (bitter melon) can be used as a dietary supplement for prevention of breast cancer."
Bitter melon has already used by many people to prevent and treat type 2 diabetes mellitus and other cancers.
Bitter melon preparations such as dried bitter mellon, bitter melon extract or capsules can be purchased as dietary supplements over the Internet. This bitter vegetable is not available in most grocery stores. Some times Asian grocery stores may sell this food.
Remeber the common sense: A therapeutical effect often shows up only when an effective dose is used. But no one can suggest how much bitter melon should be used to have an effective treatment. Good thing about this food is, it is safe to eat.
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