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Is Consuming Bitter Gourd Juice Beneficial In Bringing Blood Sugar Levels Under Control?

Posted on Thu, 24 Sep 2020

Question: My Father is diagnosed with Diabetes. He is on medication.Before fasting his sugar level is 180 measured using "accu chek" at home.He is consuming Bottle Gourd juice for the last one week .I want to to know if consuming Bottle Gourd juice or any other (vegetable/fruit) juice is harmful or beneficial for diabetes patient.
In general please let me know if juice (vegetable/fruit) should be taken by diabetes patient or not

Answered by Dr. Shyam B. Kale (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Yes its beneficial. See detailed answer below.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

I can understand your concern. As there is negligible sugar is present in bottle gourd juice provided that new any extra sugar is added. So it's beneficial to take bottle gourd (Karela) juice in diabetes.

Juices like XXXXXXX custard apple, pine apple, sapota, watermelon, grapes have high sugar. So avoid it. He can eat fruits like guava, pear, apple, orange, sweet lemon, black berry, blue berry. Generally avoid juices, instead of that eat whole fruit and vegetable salad. Kindly consult with dietician and prepare a proper daily diet chart.

As his fasting sugar level is 180 which is on higher side. Kindly do HbA1c if not done earlier. Strictly monitor sugar level at least thrice daily. What medications presently he is taking? Kindly follow up with details. I think this will clarify your concern. Take care.

Regards,
Dr. Shyam Kale
Family and general physician.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Shyam B. Kale (4 hours later)

Thanks for the answer doctor.Attached is the report of HbA1c.Please take a look and let me know what should be done.I share the medication as well which he is taking.
Also is there anything really to worry about as you are saying that "As his fasting sugar level is 180 which is on higher side" .

Answered by Dr. Shyam B. Kale (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Nothing to worry too much,but have to correct sugar level, See details.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back.

I can understand your concern. As his fasting blood sugar level and HbA1c are 161 and 7.4 which are on higher side. There is nothing to worry too much. But we have to correct his sugar level which can be done by increasing the present dose or adding any new drug of different class. So i'd suggest you to consult with diabetologist. Kindly do urine creatinine, lipid profile, fundoscopy examination if not done earlier. I think this will clarify your concern. Thank you.

Regards,
Dr. Shyam Kale.
family and general physician.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Shyam B. Kale (4 hours later)

Thanks Doctor.I have consulted with few of the doctors however there is no improvement.
Attached (IMG_0000_0000.jpg) are the medicines my father has taken for three months (Jan, feb, March) however no improvement .Now my father is consuming the medicines(metformin hydrochloride 1000 mg and glimepiride tablets ip 1mg ) daily during lunch after consulting with the different doctor. Yet no improvement.

I remember before these medication we went to Manipal Hospital and there all the tests were performed.Even there my father could not find much improvement however better than these two latest medications.

Please let us know if the medication is not correct or what are there any other issues.
What should be our next steps.
Please suggest any good doctor in XXXXXXX I am living near Kormangala.

Answered by Dr. Shyam B. Kale (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Repeat test after 2 months. see details.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back.

I can understand your concern. I have seen your attachments. as per your history, In this month already dose of anti diabetic medications is increased i.e. tab. metformin 1000 mg and tab. glimepiride 1 mg during lunch after consultation. So i'd suggest you to continue these medications and repeat tests after 2 months. At that time if values are on higher side then we can consider to add tab. volix or tab. pioz only after proper history and examination. As these are the prescription medications, so consult with your diabetologist. Strictly monitor sugar level thrice a day. Plan a proper diet chart. I think this will clarify your concern. Thank you.

Regards,
Dr. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
family and general physician.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Shyam B. Kale (12 hours later)

Thanks Doctor.Do you know any good doctor in XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Shyam B. Kale (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Sorry, don't have any firm idea.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back.

I can understand your concern. Sorry, I don't have any firm idea about that. But you can consult with any diabetologist having good reviews. I think this will clarify your concern.

Regards,
Dr Shyam Kale
Family and general physician.

Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad