What is a “Super Food?”

First of all, it is important for everyone to know that super foods are easy to find in your local supermarket. They’re worth looking for!

These nutritional powerhouse foods are loaded with nutrients crucial to a healthy, long life.

If you can include a variety of them in your diet, everyday, they will make positive changes your life!

These foods* were chosen because they contain high concentrations of crucial nutrients, and of course many of them are low in calories. Foods containing these nutrients have been proven to help prevent and, in some cases, reverse the well-known effects of aging, cardiovascular disease, Type II Diabetes, hypertension and certain cancers.

When you click on each Super Food you’ll find information including a list of the primary nutrients that elevated them to Super Food status.

This is not meant to be a complete list of every single nutrient that each food contains, but rather, a list of the high-profile nutrients that have shown health benefits and that are present in that food in sufficient quantity to make a difference. Many of the Super Foods have “Sidekicks.” These are foods that are generally in the same category as the flagship Super Food and offer a similar nutrient profile.

So go ahead and Google each one and find recipes and tips on how to incorporate these foods in your daily diet.

*The Super Foods

Apples 
Avocado 
Beans 
Blueberries 
Broccoli 
Cinnamon 
Dark Chocolate 
Dried SuperFruits 
Extra Virgin Olive Oil 
Garlic 
Honey 
Kiwi 
Low Fat Yogurt 
Nopal 
Oats

Onions 
Oranges 
Pomegranates 
Pumpkin 
Soy 
Spinach 
Tea
Tomatoes 
Turkey 
Walnuts 
Wild Salmon

If you’re interested in finding out more about some our concentrated forms of super foods please contact us!

 

There’s a reason Aloe Vera is trusted in products you see every day. And that reason dates back thousands of years. The earliest civilizations revered this extraordinary botanical for its astonishing properties. Its legendary uses have been passed down through time, enhanced by scientific innovation and centuries of experience.

Let Aloe surprise you as it:
* Cleanses and supports your digestive system
* Infuses you with energy
* Hydrates your skin
* Soothes and promotes skin renewal
* Supports your immune system
* And so much more

Aloe Vera is really quite an incredible plant. It is a succulent plant and part of the lily family (Liliaceae), the same family that garlic and onions belong to.

Aloe Vera juice contains leaf pulp that is rich in natural nutrients and fiber. This well-known herbal remedy for the skin also has many benefits for internal healing, cleansing and repair when ingested as a nutritional drink.

Different parts of the plant are used for different effects on the body and Aloe Vera has both internal and external applications.

Aloe Vera contains over 200 active components including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, polysaccharide, and fatty acids. No wonder it’s used for such a wide range of remedies!

Aloe has been used therapeutically for many reasons. The list of benefits and effects for this miraculous plant are many.

Here is a list of the Top 12 Benefits and Medicinal Uses for Aloe Vera:

 

 

 

 

1.  Aloe Vera Is High in Vitamins & Minerals:

Aloe Vera contains many vitamins including A, C, E, folic acid, choline, B1, B2, B3 (niacin), B6. Aloe Vera is also one of the few plants that contain vitamin B12.

Some of the 20 minerals found in Aloe Vera include: calcium, magnesium, zinc, chromium, selenium, sodium, iron, potassium, copper, manganese.

2. Aloe Vera is High in Amino Acids & Fatty Acids

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. There are about 22 amino acids that are necessary for the human body and it is said that 8 of these are essential. Estimates of the amino acids found in aloe range from 18-20 amino acids, with all 8 essential amino acids.

Aloe Vera also includes quite an impressive range of fatty acids. Aloe contains three plant sterols, which are important fatty acids- HCL cholesterol (which lowers fats in the blood), campesterol, and B-sitosterol. All are helpful in reducing symptoms of allergies and acid indigestion. Other fatty acids include linoleic, linolenic, myristic, caprylic, oleic, palmitic, and  stearic.

3. Aloe Vera is an Adaptogen

Aloe Vera is a well-known adaptogen. An adaptogen is something that boosts the body’s natural ability to adapt to external changes and resist illness. It is thought that aloe’s power as an adaptogen balances the body’s system, stimulating the defense and adaptive mechanisms of the body. This allows you an increased ability to cope with stress (physical, emotional and environmental stress like pollution)

4. Aloe Helps with Digestion

Poor digestion is related to many diseases. A properly functioning digestive tract is one of the keys and foundations of health. Aloe is known to soothe and cleanse the digestive tract and help improve digestion. The interesting thing about taking aloe internally is that, because it is an adaptogen, it helps with either constipation or diarrhea, helping to regulate your elimination cycles in whatever way you need.  It’s been a great remedy for people with problems such as irritable bowel syndrome as well as acid reflux. Aloe also helps to decrease the amount of unfriendly bacteria and in our gut keeping your healthy intestinal flora in balance. Aloe is also a vermifuge, which means it helps to rid the body of intestinal worms.

5. Aloe Helps in Detoxification

Aloe Vera is a gelatinous plant food, just like seaweeds and chia. The main benefit to consuming gelatinous plant foods in your diet is that these gels move through the intestinal tract absorbing toxins along the way and get eliminated through the colon. This will help the proper elimination of waste from your body and help the detoxification of your body.

6.  Aloe Alkalizes the Body

Disease cannot manifest in an alkaline environment. Most people are living and subsisting on mostly acidic foods. For great health, remember the 80/20 rule – 80% alkaline forming foods and 20% acidic. Aloe vera is an alkaline forming food. It alkalizes the body, helping to balance overly acidic dietary habits

7. Cardiovascular Health

There hasn’t been a lot of studies conducted in this but there has been some research to show that Aloe Vera extract injected into the blood, greatly multiplies the oxygen transportation and diffusion capabilities of the red blood cells.

According to a study published in the 2000 issue of the British Medical Journal, beta sitosterol helps to lower cholesterol. By regulating blood pressure, improving circulation and oxidation of the blood, lowering cholesterol, and making blood less sticky, Aloe Vera juice may be able to help lower the risk of heart disease.

8. Aloe Helps Boost the Immune System

I think given the stresses of our daily lives, every one can use a boost to their immune systems. The polysaccharides in aloe vera juice stimulate macrophages, which are the white blood cells of your immune system that fight against viruses.

Aloe is also an immune enhancer because of its high level of anti-oxidants, which help combat the unstable compounds known as free-radicals, contributing to the aging process. (Free radicals are a bi-product of life itself, it is a naturally occurring process but we can overload ourselves with unnecessary free-radicals by living an unhealthy lifestyle) Aloe is also an antipyretic which means it used to reduce or prevent fever.

 

9. Aloe Vera is Great for the Skin

Because of aloe’s well-known healing properties for the skin, aloe is one of the primary compounds used in the cosmetic industry. It is a known vulnerary, (meaning it helps heal wounds) and is great for applying topically to burns, abrasions, psoriasis and even to bug bites. Aloe acts as an analgesic, acting to help relieve pain of wounds. It’s feels especially good to cut a stem of aloe, place it in the fridge and rub it on sun burnt skin – the immediate soothing effect feels like an absolute lifesaver. Aloe is also an antipruritic: A substance that relieves or prevents itching. Aloe Vera is an astringent: which causes the contraction of body tissues, typically used to reduce bleeding from minor abrasions.

Due to aloe’s high water content (over 99% water) it is a great way to hydrate, moisturize and rejuvenate the skin and fits within my general guideline: “Don’t put anything on your skin that you wouldn’t eat!” Aloe increases the elasticity of the skin making it more flexible through collagen and elastin repair. Aloe is an emollient, helping to soften and soothe the skin. It helps supply oxygen to the skin cells, increasing the strength and synthesis of skin tissue and induces improved blood flow to the skin through capillary dilation.

10. Disinfectant, Anti-biotic, Anti-microbial, Germicidal, Anti-bacterial, Anti-septic, Anti-fungal & Anti-viral:

Wow, I think that covers all anti- bases. Okay, I admit, that was just a sneaky way to add in another 8 good reasons why you should keep Aloe Vera handy and incorporate it into your lifestyle. Aloe Vera’s active ingredients are sulphur, lupeol, salicylic acid, cinnamic acid, urea nitrogen and phenol which are substances that prevent the growth of disease-causing microorganisms and act as a team to provide antimicrobial activity thus eliminating many internal and external infections, also active against bacteria. It also helps to treat fungal and viral infections.

11. Aloe Helps Reduce Inflammation

Aloe Vera contains 12 substances, including B-sisterole, which can help to slow down or inhibit inflammation.  This may be able to help with painful joints due to stiffness and help improve joint flexibility.

12. Weight Loss – A Secondary effect

Improving your digestion, and detoxifying your will have a secondary effect in promoting weight loss because when we start to improve our digestion we naturally eliminate more efficiently, which is a primary way they we detoxify – through our bowels. This will lighten our toxic load on the body and will give us more energy.

NopaLife, Etc. LLC offers you a complete line of nurturing products based on 100% pure Aloe Vera gel.  Harvested by hand and immediately stabilized for purity, our aloe enhances your body—inside and out—with age-defying, antioxidant rich drinks.

Cactus Medicine Book

Prickly Pear Cactus Medicine Book

Prickly Pear Cactus Medicine: Treatments for Diabetes, Cholesterol, and the Immune System

This book is a: “A comprehensive and detailed review of the benefits of this remarkable plant and a compelling argument for its acceptance into modern herbalism.”
Mark Blumenthal, executive director of the American Botanical Council and editor of HerbalGram

“An excellent blend of good science and real life applications.”
David Hoffmann, FNIMH, AHG, author of Medical Herbalism and The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal

“Ran Knishinsky has done a masterful job unearthing details on the use of the prickly pear cactus for food and for medicine. This book provides the spark to move the prickly pear from beyond ethnic use to mainstream acceptance.”
David Winston, AHG, dean of the Herbal Therapeutics School of Botanical Medicine

Synopsis:

• The first complete guide to natural healing properties and uses of the prickly pear cactus
• The prickly pear cactus—a plant that has the distinction of being a vegetable, fruit, and flower all in one—may be destined to be the next big herbal superstar, following in the footsteps of St. John’s Wort and Echinacea. One of the driving forces behind its popularity is that each part of this plant functions as both food and medicine. It has been a staple in the diets of the people of the southwestern portion of the United States, Mexico, Central and South America, the Middle East, parts of Europe and Africa for hundreds of years.
• Traditionally, the prickly pear cactus has been used as a universal remedy for over 100 different ailments. Its use in the treatment of diabetes is now gaining attention in scientific circles, and it has been the subject of blood cholesterol research trials sponsored by the American Heart Association. In addition to the results of recent scientific research, Knishinsky also includes ethno-botanical information on the use of prickly pear cactus in treating obesity, gastrointestinal disorders, and skin ailments. A resource section details the natural food companies that supply prickly pear cactus and a chapter of recipes offers 24 traditional and modern dishes using the pads and fruit of the cactus.
• Examines the scientific research promoting the cactus as a natural diabetes and cholesterol medication as well as its use in the treatment of obesity, gastrointestinal disorders, skin ailments, and viral infections
• Explores the healing uses of prickly pears from the perspective of doctor, chemist, ethnobotanist, cook, and layman

About the Author

Ran Knishinsky is a professional health researcher and writer and the founder of NutraConsulting, a consulting firm to the natural products industry. He is the author of The Clay Cure and The Prozac Alternative.

Libro Medicinal del Nopal

El libro Prickly Pear Cactus Medicine: de Tratamientos para la Diabetes, el Colesterol y el Sistema Inmunológico

 

Este libro: “Una revisión completa y detallada de los beneficios de esta planta extraordinaria, Nopal y un argumento convincente para su aceptación en la herbolaria moderna.”

Mark Blumenthal, director ejecutivo del American Botanical Council (Consejo Botánico Estadounidense) y editor del HerbalGram

“Una excelente mezcla de ciencia y aplicaciones de la vida real”. David Hoffmann, FNIMH, AHG, autor de Medical Herbalism y The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal

“Ran Knishinsky ha hecho un trabajo magistral desenterrando detalles sobre el uso del nopal para comida y medicina. Este libro proporciona la chispa para mover el nopal más allá de solo uso étnico a la aceptación de la corriente.” David Winston, AHG, director de la escuela Herbal Therapeutics School of Botanical Medicine

• El primer guía completo de las propiedades curativas naturales y usos del Nopal
• El Nopal, una planta que tiene la distinción de ser una verdura, fruta y flor todo en uno—puede ser destinada a ser la próxima superestrella grande de las hierbas, siguiendo los pasos de la hierba de St. John Wort y Equinácea. Uno de los impulsores de su popularidad es que cada parte de esta planta funciona como alimento y medicina. Ha sido un elemento básico en la dieta de los habitantes de la parte suroeste de los EEUU, México, Central y América del sur, el Medio Oriente, partes de Europa y África por cientos de años.
• Tradicionalmente, el Nopal se ha utilizado como un remedio universal para más de 100 malestares diferentes. Su uso en el tratamiento de la diabetes ahora está ganando la atención en los círculos científicos y ha sido objeto de ensayos de investigación de colesterol y sangre, patrocinado por el American Heart Association. Además de los resultados de recientes investigaciones científicas, Knishinsky incluye información etnobotánico sobre el uso del nopal en el tratamiento de la obesidad, trastornos gastrointestinales y afecciones de la piel.
• Una sección de recursos resalta los detalles de empresas de alimentos naturales que suministran el nopal y tiene un capítulo de recetas con 24 platos tradicionales y modernos con las pencas y fruto del Nopal.
• Examina investigaciones científicas promoviendo el Nopal como una medicina natural para el diabetes y colesterol así como su uso en el tratamiento de la obesidad, trastornos gastrointestinales, afecciones de la piel y las infecciones virales
• Explora los usos curativos del Nopal desde la perspectiva de médico, químico, etnobotánico, cocinero y laico

Sobre el Autor:

Ran Knishinsky es un investigador de profesionales de la salud y escritor y fundador de NutraConsulting, una firma de consultoría a la industria de productos naturales. Es el autor de The Clay Cure and The Prozac Alternative. (la alternative del Prozac)

Nopal Normalizes Cholesterol & Blood Glucose

Nopal (prickly pear cactus) is rich in antioxidants, plus it helps normalize cholesterol and blood glucose

Friday, February 17, 2012 by: Donna Earnest Pravel

(NaturalNews) Nopal cactus, also well known as prickly pear cactus, has been a staple part of Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine for centuries. The green pads of the nopal cactus are cooked and added to tacos, egg dishes, Mexican salads, shakes, smoothies, etc. Research within the past ten years has caused Nopal cactus to be considered a super-food, due to its antioxidant and cholesterol-reducing properties. It is rich in betalains. Several clinical studies also suggest Nopal cactus is beneficial for diabetics because it reduces blood glucose levels.

Nopal cactus can be prepared in numerous ways or eaten raw

Nopal cactus, known in Spanish as nopales, is an easy vegetable to add to a variety of recipes. The spines are cut off of the pads, the pads are chopped or sliced, then sauteed with scrambled eggs or added to omelets. Nopal cactus is often added to pico de gallo, a fiery Mexican raw vegetable medley made with tomatoes, onions, jalapeno peppers, and cilantro. It can be served grilled or sauteed with onions as a garnish for fajitas, or eaten raw in salads. It is even thrown into the blender alone or with other fruits or vegetables to make delicious shakes or smoothies.

Nopal cactus may be considered a super-food due to its cholesterol-lowering capabilities

While Mexicans have been enjoying Nopal cactus for centuries, the vegetable is trending as a super-food in the natural health and raw food community in the U.S. This may be because of medical research in the past decade which confirmed that Nopales have the ability to lower LDL cholesterol levels. A 2003 medical study published by Nuclear Medicine Review: Central and Eastern Europe demonstrated that ten patients with high blood cholesterol levels were given dietary counseling for 6 weeks, then asked to eat prickly pear cactus for 6 weeks. The scientists found that these patients’ livers were able to handle the regulation of LDL cholesterol significantly better by eating prickly pear cactus.

Sources for this article include:

Pubmed.gov, “Prickly pear induces up-regulation of liver LDL binding in familial heterozygous hypercholesterolemia,” B. Palumbo, et al. Nuclear Medicine Review: Central and Eastern Europe 2003; 6(1): 35-9. http://science.naturalnews.com/pubmed/14600931.html

Simply Recipes.com, “How to Cut and Prepare Prickly Pears,” by Garret McCord http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_cut_and_prepare_prickly_pears/

Pubmed.gov, “Antioxidant betalains from cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) inhibit endothelial ICAM-1 expression.” C. Gentile, et al. Annals of the New York Academy of Science; 1028: 481-6. http://science.naturalnews.com/pubmed/15650274.html

About the author:
This article is provided courtesy of Donna Earnest Pravel, owner and senior copy editor of Heart of Texas Copywriting Solutions.com. Get free weekly tips on natural healing and herbs by visiting her blog, Bluebonnet Natural Healing Therapy.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/034996_nopal_cactus_antioxidants_blood_glucose.html#ixzz2fFfnrZ39

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/034996_nopal_cactus_antioxidants_blood_glucose.html#ixzz2fFg52hve

Nopal Normaliza La Glucosa de la Sangre y el Colesterol

Nopal (de Tuna) es rico en antioxidantes, además ayuda a normalizar la glucosa de la sangre y el colesterol

(NaturalNews) El Nopal ha sido una parte básica de la cocina mexicana y Tex-Mex por siglos. Las penquas verdes del nopal se cuecen y sel le agregan a tacos, platos de huevo, ensaladas mexicanas, etc. Investigaciónes durantes los últimos 10 años ha causado que el nopal sea considerado como un súper alimento, debido a sus propiedades antioxidantes y reductores de colesterol. Es rico en betalaínas. Varios estudios clínicos sugieren que el nopal es beneficioso para los diabéticos porque reduce los niveles de glucemia.

El Nopal puede ser preparado de muchas maneras o comido crudo

El nopal es una verdura fácil para agregar a una variedad de recetas. Se remueven las espinas de las penquas y son picadas en rodajas, luego salteadas con huevos revueltos o añadidas a tortillas. El nopal a menudo se añade al pico de gallo, un popurrí vegetal crudo ardiente mexicano hecho con tomates, cebollas, pimientos jalapeños y cilantro. Se puede servir a la parrilla o salteados con cebolla como guarnición para fajitas o se consumen crudos en ensaladas. Tambien se puede mezclar con otros ingredients para hacer jugos o batidos naturals.

El nopal puede considerarse como un súper alimento debido a su capacidad de reducir el cholesterol:

Mientras que los mexicanos han disfrutado del nopal por siglos, la verdura tiene tendencia como un súper alimento para la salud natural y la comunidad de alimentos crudos en los Estados Unidos. Esto puede ser debido a investigaciónes médicas en la última década que confirman que los nopales tienen la capacidad de disminuir los niveles de colesterol LDL (el malo). Un estudio médico de 2003 publicado por Nuclear Medicine Review: Europa Central y oriental demostraron que a diez pacientes con los niveles de colesterol elevados en la sangre se les dió asesoramiento dietético por 6 semanas y se les pidió a comer nopales durante esas 6 semanas. Los científicos descubrieron que el hígados de estos pacientes eran capaces de manejar la regulación del colesterol LDL significativamente mejor comiendo nopal.

Origenes de este artículo incluyen:

http://www.naturalnews.com/034996_nopal_cactus_antioxidants_blood_glucose.html

PubMed.gov, “Tuna induce la para arriba-regulación del atascamiento de LDL Pubmed.gov, “Prickly pear induces up-regulation of liver LDL binding in familial heterozygous hypercholesterolemia,” B. Palumbo, et al. Nuclear Medicine Review: Central and Eastern Europe 2003; 6(1): 35-9. http://science.naturalnews.com/pubmed/14600931.html

Simply Recipes.com, “How to Cut and Prepare Prickly Pears,” by Garret McCord http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_cut_and_prepare_prickly_pears/

Pubmed.gov, “Antioxidant betalains from cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) inhibit endothelial ICAM-1 expression.” C. Gentile, et al. Annals of the New York Academy of Science; 1028: 481-6. http://science.naturalnews.com/pubmed/15650274.html

Sobre el autor:

Este artículo se proporciona por cortesía de Donna Pravel Earnest, propietaria y editora senior del corazón de Texas Copywriting Solutions.com. Obtenga consejos semanales gratis para curaciones naturales y hierbas visitando su blog, Bluebonnet Natural Healing Therapy. (Terapia Bluebonnet de sanación Natural).

Porque es un concentrado 100% Natural de Nopal. Ests producto de 16 onzas tiene mas o menos 27 libras de penquas en una botella!

5-Alive (5 Potencias)

5-Alive is A Great New Way to drink Superior Nutrition + Health
What’s in the Bottle? Exotic 5 in 1 health food concentrated blend, packed with real nutritional and health benefits, without excess sugar or calories to help protect, restore and transform your body.
5 in 1 Power Extracts:
1. Nopal (Cactus juice)
2. Ganoderma (Reishi Lucidum)
3. Aloe Vera
4. Cat’s Claw (Uña de Gato)
5. Resveratrol

Nopal Benefits:
Phytochemicals found in plants act in four basic ways to promote health and assist the human body resist disease:
ANTIOXIDANTS by neutralizing oxygen deficient molecules known as “free radicals” which, if not eliminated cause cell damagethat can lead to cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and other degenerative diseases.
DETOXIFIERS by supporting normal processes that allow the human body to recognize and destroy or eliminate toxic substances ingested or produced by the human body.
HORMONE MODULATORS by triggering needed hormone production (such as insulin) and by substituting harmless hormone-like substances (such as phytoestrogens) for over-acting natural hormones and/or by reducing the production of excess hormones by the human body. Excess hormones can trigger cellar damage leading to various disorders including cancer.
CELL REGULATORS by helping to moderate the body’s uncontrollable cell growth such as tumors.

Users of Nopal super concentrate juice have reported the following benefits: • Reduction of blood sugar to normal levels (Diabetes I patients have reported their reduction of intake of insulin by injection) • Reduction of cholesterol & triglycerides • Improved sense of wellbeing and fitness • Improved circulation and lowered blood pressure • Reduced arthritic pain • Effective for hemorrhoids • Improved urinary function • Improved constipation • Has restored menstrual activity in women • loss of weight • Reduces excess gastric acid • Improved male sexual function • Reduces skin spots due to aging • Great result in healing ulcers

HEALTH BENEFITS OF CACTUS
1. Digestive System
The active ingredients found in Nopal aid in preventing the digestive system from absorbing excess dietary fat and carbohydrate sugars.
Soluble fibers (including gums, mucilages, pectins and polysaccharides) show the absorption of glucose in the intestines. Insoluble fibers (more commonly known as roughage), reduce excess bile and potential carcinogens that may be present in the colon, by absorption and excretion. As a fibrous plant, Nopal contains both soluble and insoluble dietary fibers. Soluble fibers present in Nopal include mucilages, pectin, gums and som hemicellulose. Insoluble fibers include cellulose, lignan and remaining hemicellulose. Nopal is a gentle alternative to psyllium (a well-known fiber supplement taken for colon cleansing) for those with a sensitivity or allergy to psyllium.

Vegetable protein found in Nopal (amino acids) help the body pull fluids from body tissues back into the bloodstream thereby diminishing cellulite and fluid retention. Fat build up is prevented, while fat break down and excretion is increased. The pectin and lignan found in Nopal are also known for increasing satiety (decreasing appetite).

2. Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar)
Nopal has been clinically proven in studies to reduce both fasting and post-prandial (after a meal) hyperglycemia. The high levelsof soluble and insoluble dietary fibers in Nopal help prevent the rapid absorption of simple carbohydrates such as sugars into the blood stream during the digestion stage of a consumed meal. This digestive action, the result of ingesting Nopal cactus or Nopal juice prior to, or during a meal, results in lowering the Glycemic Index of any meal and allows for a more stable blood sugar metabolism throughout the day. Nopal cactus also contains specific phyto-nutrients that have been shown to enter the blood stream and augment the body’s cellular response to insulin in Diabetes II patients. This activity was demonstrated recently in a clinical study. A controlled group of hyperglycemic diabetes Type II patients were given only Nopal for breakfast and within 1 hour, their higher blood sugar index was reduced to normal values. Individuals with healthy blood sugar values that were not given the Nopal dose did not experience this reduction in blood sugar levels.

3. Hyperlipidemia ( High LDL Cholesterol & Triglycerides)
The polysaccharide fibers and sterols found in the Nopal prickly pear have been shown to work synergistically to reduce LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Nopal’s primary mechanism is the bile salt binding in the intestine, that has been shown to prevent re-uptake and therefore results in the overall reduction of unhealthy lipids in the blood stream. Other active phyto-nutrients in Nopal, such as carotenoids and glycoproteins, have also been implicated in animal studies to increase activity in specific liver receptors that promote healthier blood lipids.

4) Reduce inflammation
Inflammation is nothing but the body’s response to an infection. By examining your food intake, you will see that the more meat you eat in general, the more acidic your body environment is; the more vegetable you take in, the less acidic. The best food to reduce inflammation are nopal cactus and items that are not acidic. Imagine, what kind of plant on earth survives under the harshest environment? A environment that is so hot and dry but still manage to preserve water inside. Dehydration leads to inflammation and heart inflammation. Before heart inflammation, if you consistently have stomach acids or acne, it’s a sign that you should be on the lookout for inflammation in the heart. People of all ages should seek ways to reduce inflammation in their bodies. Speed of aging can be reduced just by reducing inflammation in the body. Check you skin condition is a good way to find out your body inflammation level. The condition of your largest organ, skin, is also a reflection of your internal organs. If it’s constantly dry, it shows dehydration, and high possibility of inflammation.

5. Circulatory System
Nopal acts in several ways that have been found to reduce the risk of heart disease. First, the fiber found in Nopal acts to absorband excrete cholesterol in the digestive system. Second, the amino acids, fiber and B3 (niacin) found in Nopal prevent excess sugar coversions into fats, while reducing triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels, by metabolizing fat and fatty acids and eliminating excess bile acids which eventually convert into cholesterol. Third, the B3 (niacin) in Nopal acts to convert LDL (bad) cholesterol to HDL (good) forms of cholesterol.

6. Urinary System
The juice of Nopal is used in Mexico as an anti-inflammatory diuretic and to decrease pain on or following urination. These effects reportedly derive from bioflavonoids, amino acids and fiber in Nopal.

7. Nervous System
Nopal aids in balancing and calming the nervous system, which creates a sense of well being and benefits the body’s overall function.

8. Weight Loss
We already mentioned about the ability of Nopal to normalize and lower sugar and lipids. Nopal is most known as a natural way to lose weight. Nopal’s fiber content effectively promote satiety, when drink before a meal and thus reduces hunger and caloric consumption. The fat build up is diminished while fat break down and excretions are increased. Nopal offers vegetable protein that helps the body pull fluids back from the tissues into the bloodstream, thereby diminishing cellulite and fluid retention. Unlike many weight loss products, Nopal contains an excellent profile of nutrients, that may otherwise be missing from a popular weight loss regimen. Healthy weight loss rates of approximately 1kg/week have been reported.

9. Hangover
Nopal is internationally renowned by hangover prevention and treatment remedies.

Many theories of Nopal’s beneficial effects have come forth, yet a simple assessment of constitutive benefits provides a reasonable explanation:
1. Nopal’s mucilaginous polysaccharides soothe the gastro intestinal tract and alleviate nausea while providing exceptional re-hydration.
2. Nopal’s antioxidants and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients reduce systemic and hepatic inflammation.
3. The Nopal dietary fiber absorbs toxins and speeds up the cleansing of the blood stream.

Other Health Benefits
1. Enhances the immune system.
2. Helps enhance long-term memory
3. Helps prevent ulcers
4. Helps promotes wound healing
5. Reduces symptoms of asthma and allergies
6. Helps supports joint health
7. Helps reduces symptoms in BPH (Enlarged Prostate)
Nopal has been found to contain many of these phytochemicals in quantities and/or concentrations greater than is found in better-recognized plants. For example, Aloe Vera has become well known for its healing powers, which are in large part due to its content of mannans (more particularly “mannose”). Mannose has been found to have many health benefits. Among these as its ability to aid the body fight infection and virus by killing or eliminating disease carrying cells and its ability to boost the immune system by killing cancer cells. Recent chemical analysis of Nopal has revealed that Nopal has a concentration of Mannose that is 33 percent greater than is found in Aloe Vera. A second example of the comparative benefits of Nopal is found in the “Glycemic Index,” which is a relative measure of the rate at which ingested carbohydrates trigger a rise in circulating blood sugar and can cause elevated blood sugar levels. The carbohydrates found in Nopal have been found to have the lowest “Glycemic Index” among all plant foods tested to date.
Classified as a vegetable, testing by the USDA has revealed Nopal to contain beneficial soluble and insoluble dietary fiber and essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids and other phytochemicals that have been diminished or lost in the modern diet. Conversely, Nopal is low in carbohydrate calories and sodium, and as indicated above, the carbohydrates that are found in Nopal are less likely to trigger elevated blood sugar levels

Ganoderma Lucidum Benefits:
Cancer Prevention
It has been demonstrated that Ganoderma lucidum boosts immunity and fights the proliferation of cancer cells. Some laboratory studies have also shown Ganoderma lucidum may prevent cancer metastasis. The mechanisms by which the mushroom does this are as yet unknown and it seems they may target many different stages of cancer development. They may inhibit angiogenesis (the formation of blood vessels made to supply nutrients to the tumor), or perhaps they inhibit the migration of the cancer cells and metastasis. It is also thought that they work by inducing and enhancing apoptosis of tumor cells. In any case, Ganoderma lucidum extracts are already being used in some commercial pharmaceuticals to suppress cancer cell proliferation and migration. Studies on breast cancer cells have found that combining Ganoderma lucidum with green tea augments the mushroom’s power to retard the growth of cancer cells.
Immune System Support
Ganoderma lucidum may be useful in boosting the immune system. In studies on patients with advanced tumors, Ganoderma lucidum was prescribed for thirty days and the results found a significant positive effect on the immune system with an increase in T lymphocytes and decreased CD8 counts. Patients had fewer side effects from chemotherapy and radiation, and their post operative recovery was smoother. Research has also found that ganoderma lucidum, when used on a regular basis, increases antioxidant levels.

Cardiovascular Health
Ganoderma lucidum has been prescribed for centuries to people suffering from stress and angina. Studies in China found that Ganoderma lucidum promotes blood flow and lowers oxygen consumption in the muscle of the heart. Japanese scientists have made similar findings, and ascribe these benefits to a chain of acids belonging to triterpenes, a group of natural compounds known to reduce high blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and prevent blood clots. A Russian study also found that Ganoderma lucidum showed significant preventive abilities against plaque build-up on artery walls.
Antioxidants
Ganoderma lucidum is a potent source of antioxidants. The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine says it contains one of the highest concentrations of antioxidants in any food. Polysaccharide, polysaccharide-peptide complex, and phenolic components of Ganoderma lucidum have all been proposed to be responsible for their antioxidant strength. However, research has shown that the Ganoderma lucidum peptide (GLP) is the major antioxidant component of the mushroom.

Liver Protection
Ganoderma lucidum is a favorite for use as a liver protectant. In one study of patients suffering from hepatitis B and elevated liver enzymes (SGOT/SGPT) and bilirubin, patients were given ganoderma lucidum for three months. Within a month, significant reduction in SGOT and SGPT were seen, and three months later all values were within a healthy range.
Antibacterial
Studies have reported that Ganoderma lucidum mushrooms may have antibacterial powers, with direct anti-microbial effects against the proceding organisms: Aspergillus niger, bacillus cereus, candida albicans, and E-coli.

Antiviral
Preliminary evidence suggests that Ganoderma lucidum may have antiviral benefits. It is reported to exhibit direct anti-viral effects with herpes simplex virus 1, herpes simplex virus 2, the influenza virus, and vesicular stomatitis.

Lower Cholesterol
Ganoderma lucidum mushrooms may help reduce cholesterol by causing the liver to suppress its production. Researchers at the Nestle Research Center in Switzerland called ganoderma lucidum “a renowned medicinal species”. In their study, oxygenated lanosterol derived from Ganoderma lucidum “inhibited cholesterol synthesis.”

Radiation Protection
Research indicates that ganoderma lucidum mushrooms augment the effects of radiation therapy while acting directly against the tumor. Investigation also reveals ganoderma lucidum helps to strengthen the immune system, to better manage radiation therapy and chemotherapy treatment and assists to improve the quality of life of the patient. It has also been found to ease symptoms of chemotherapy, such as nausea, vomiting, headaches, fever, infection, weight loss and hair loss.

Urinary Tract Support
In a 2008 study of 88 men with urinary tract symptoms, researchers found that ganoderma lucidum was significantly superior to placebo in providing symptom relief. As if that weren’t enough, ganoderma lucidum is said to inhibit 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme responsible for converting testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. This nasty predicament can lead to a swollen prostate and all the ills that go with it. According to a study published in the Asian Journal of Andrology, ganoderma lucidum demonstrates more 5-alpha-reductase inhibitory activity than many other medicinal mushrooms and improves urine flow in men with mild-to-moderate lower urinary tract symptoms.

Aloe Vera Benefits:
Aloe is also an excellent treatment for skin conditions such as burns and eczema. It is often reported that burns can be healed remarkably quickly and the pain reduced very quickly with topical application of Aloe Vera to the burn area. As well as applying topically, Aloe can also be taken internally so it is just as useful for internal epithelial tissue as it is for the skin. For example, mouth and stomach ulcers, nasal and sinuses, bowels, lungs and genital tracts. Aloe works on membranes and surfaces.
Aloe also seems to be excellent at regulating the immune system (an immunomodulator). This means it can both stimulate the immune response for those with weakened immune systems either from exisiting conditions or post-illness fatigue. It can also calm the immune response, such as for Hayfever where less immune reaction is beneficial.
Although Aloe is about 99% water, the remaining 1% is extremely powerful and it is thought this is because the close to 100 ingredients work extremely well together (synergistically). The ingredients in Aloe can be grouped into the following categories: Vitamins, Minerals, Sugars, Enzymes, Lignins, Amino Acids, Anthraquinones, Saponins, Fatty Acids, Salicylic Acid.
Each of these categories could be discussed at length in their own right regarding individual molecules and ongoing studies into their remarkable effects. Combined together it’s easy to see why Aloe Vera is such an effective healing plant.
Aloe vera is one of the only known natural vegetarian sources of Vitamin B12, and it contains many minerals vital to the growth process and healthy function of all the body’s systems. Numerous studies worldwide indicate that it is a general tonic for the immune system, helping it to fight illness of all kinds. Various research studies are underway to explore the potential of the components to boost immunity and combat the HIV virus, and to treat certain types of cancer (particularly leukemia). It may even have a role to play in managing diabetes.
Over 200 worldwide scientific research papers have been published on the effects. The three main categories of research include anti-inflammatory, anti- bacterial, and anti-viral actions of the plant. The juice is said to soothe digestive tract irritations such as colitis, ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome. It’s ability to encourage the release of pepsin (a gastric juice enzyme necessary for digestion) when the stomach is full is a possible reason for its ulcer-healing effects (Journal of the American Osteopathic Society, 1963, vol.62). In one study, oral use for six months helped mitigate asthma symptoms in almost half of the participants. Eleven of twenty-seven patients studied who drank Aloe reported feeling better at the end of the study. Researchers think that results might be due to stimulation of the immune system, as well as naturally occurring anti-inflammatory agents in the plant.
In 1994, the US Food and Drug Administration approved Aloe vera for the treatment of HIV. On-going studies worldwide show that taken in highly concentrated doses can stimulate the production of white blood cells that may help fight viruses and also tumours.
Aloe vera contains protein, calcium, magnesium, zinc, vitamins A, B12 and E, essential fatty acids and is naturally rich in:
Vitamin C which helps maintain tone of blood vessels and promotes good circulation and is essential to the health of the adrenal gland which supports our body in times of stress.
Amino acids which are chains of atoms constructing protein in our body.
Enzymes, which are the life-principle in every live, organic atom and molecule of natural raw food, rejuvenate aged tissues and promote healthy skin.
Germanium which is a mineral that some health authorities claim therapeutic benefits for: immunodeficiency, pain, cardiac disorders, circulatory disturbances and eye problems.
he juice is said to be one of the finest body cleansers, cleaning morbid matter from the stomach, liver, kidneys, spleen, bladder, and is considered the finest, known colon cleanser. Studies have shown that it is healing and soothing in the relief of indigestion, stomach distress and ulcers. People claim relief from arthritis, bladder and kidney infections; leg cramps, constipation, hemorrhoids, insomnia, and for vaginitis, it is said to be an excellent vaginal douche. An excellent internal tonic for energy and well being Aloe juice may add greatly to the strength of the food fed, digestive tract, skin, and overall good health and happiness.
It is also used to ease heartburn, ulcers, diverticular disorders, and other types of digestive upset. It is used as an anti-inflammatory and may be taken internally as a remedy for certain digestive complaints. European folk medicine calls for using the juice to relieve heartburn and ulcers. Preliminary research has shown promising results. Clinical trials in Japan indicate that certain compounds in the herb reduce the secretion of stomach juices and the formation of lesions.
Animal studies and anecdotal reports claim that drinking the juice or taking it as a tablet or capsule can reduce swelling and inflammation in arthritic joints. Drinking the juice may also help those asthmatic patients who are not dependent on cortico-steroids.
In 1997, University of San Antonio researcher Jeremiah Herlihy, Ph.D., conducted a study to observe any negative effects of drinking it daily. Rather than exhibiting negative effects, however, test animals receiving daily Aloe showed a remarkable reduction in leukemia, heart disease, and kidney disease. Dr. Herlihy concluded, “We found no indication of harm done to the rats even at high levels.” In fact, the Aloe-drinking animals actually lived 25 percent longer than those in the control group (IASC Conference, Texas, 1997).
There is no single ingredient that makes it very potent and healthful. Researcher Robert Davis, Ph.D., an endocrinologist-biologist, explains that fifteen different compound groups of nutrients work together to make the plant effective. This means that Aloe vera’s effects cannot be synthesized easily in a laboratory. On the upside, this makes the plant useful across a wide spectrum of circumstances. And because the various elements that make it effective are nutrients rather than drugs, the juice may complement medical treatments. In fact some cancer patients state that Aloe vera seems to reduce nausea, increase energy, and may help to minimize low blood counts caused by chemotherapy or radiation.
Aloe Vera has shown benefits in adults, children, and even pets.

Resveratrol Benefits
Resveratrol is all over the news these days. Stories of the amazing benefits of resveratrol can still take the unwary by surprise. Did you know that resveratrol has cancer fighting properties? That resveratrol in red wine is thought to be responsible for the French paradox? That the anti-aging benefits of resveratrol are so powerful that some have dubbed resveratrol the “Fountain of Youth”? Resveratrol is an anti-inflammatory, increases energy levels, lowers blood sugar and extends life. These are not outrageous claims — they are clinically studied and tested benefits of resveratrol.

That’s why resveratrol is such an exciting compound, and why you keep hearing so much about it.
Once, red wine was considered the best source of resveratrol benefits. Fortunately, today it is easy for anyone to take what some call the “red wine pill” to gain all the benefits of hundreds, or even thousands, of bottles of red wine in each dose. The benefits of resveratrol are astonishingly powerful.

Resveratrol sources
The most and popular sources of resveratrol are in red wine and grapes. Minute quantities of the antioxidant are also found in peanuts, but they are not used in supplementary applications. Instead, the Japanese knotweed plant is a very common source of resveratrol extracts in dietary supplements. Some people simply drink a glass or two of red wine each day in order to enjoy the health benefits of resveratrol. However, using a resveratrol supplement provides the benefits of hundreds, even thousands, of bottles of red wine in every pill. Resveratrol supplements are absolutely the best way to take advantage of the benefits of resveratrol.

Research on resveratrol benefits
Numerous studies have been conducted regarding various purported resveratrol benefits. Studies have primarily been conducted on laboratory animals, and while human search is very promising, is still in its earliest stages. Current research into resveratrol benefits points to resveratrol having amazing anti-aging properties, hence dubbed “The Fountain of Youth.” In several medical arenas it is agreed that resveratrol provides many key health benefits for the people who include proper quantities of it in their diets.

Resveratrol and anti-aging
Additional resveratrol benefits include cancer fighting and weight loss. Also, it is believed that resveratrol works as an effective anti-aging ingredient. This is because resveratrol is thought to stimulate the SIRT1 gene. This gene is the one responsible for reducing fat stores during low calorie diets. However, stimulation of this gene also seems to help slow down the aging process. Further study is needed, but many people swear by the anti-aging benefits of resveratrol in their diets. People looking for additional ways to slow down the aging process might try introducing this antioxidant to their health regimen as a way of enhancing it.

Resveratrol report on 60 Minutes
The buzz about resveratrol benefits reached a fever pitch when the antioxidant was featured on the well respected news show 60 Minutes. Correspondent Morley Schafer spoke with doctors and researchers regarding the various purported health benefits of resveratrol, bringing it to the attention of millions of television viewers around the world. Those who may have been reluctant to believe the hype surrounding this product were generally very impressed that a major show like 60 Minutes would feature it so prominently. (When was the last time you heard of so many amazing, scientifically-proven benefits with no side effects?)
Since then, the popularity of resveratrol as a supplement has grown even more.

Live a longer, healthier and happier life by taking advantage of the benefits of resveratrol!

Cat’s Claw (Uña de Gato) Benefits:
Cats Claw is a vine commonly known as Uña de Gato and is used traditionally in Peruvian medicine for the treatment of a wide range of health problems, particularly digestive complaints and arthritis and to treat wounds, stomach problems, cancer, and more. It has only recently caught the attention of western herbalists and researchers. Today, mainly by word of mouth, it has become one of the best selling herbs in the USA.
Since the 1970s, studies and research have been carried out by scientists in Peru, Germany, Austria, England and other countries, to find out more about the powerful healing properties of Cat’s Claw. Today, mainly by word of mouth, it has become one of the best selling herbs in the USA. Not since quinine was discovered in the bark of a Peruvian tree during the seventeenth century had any other rainforest plant ever prompted worldwide attention.
The most attention was given to the oxindole alkaloids found in the bark and roots of Cats Claw, which have been documented to stimulate the immune system. It is these seven different alkaloids that are credited with having a variety of different medicinal and healing properties. The most immunologically active alkaloid is believed to be Isopteropodin (Isomer A), which increases the immune response in the body and act as antioxidants to rid the body of free radicals. Compounds found in Cat’s Claw may also work to kill viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms that cause disease, and they work to inhibit healthy cells from becoming cancerous.
It has been suggested that Cat’s claw extracts exert a direct anti-proliferative activity on MCF7 (a breast cancer cell line). This has led to its use as a adjunctive treatment for cancer and AIDS as well as other diseases that negatively impact the immunological system. In addition, the presence of glycosides, proanthocyanidins and beta sitosterol help provide anti-viral and anti-inflammatory support for the body. These alkaloids also exert a beneficial effect on memory. Cat’s claw is considered a remarkably potent inhibitor of TNF-alpha production.
This herb’s anti-inflammatory properties may help to relieve arthritis, gout, and other inflammatory problems. The primary mechanism for Cat’s claw anti-inflammatory actions appears to be immunomodulation via suppression of TNF-alpha synthesis.
Cat’s Claw may help create support for the intestinal and immune systems of the body, and may also create intestinal support with its ability to cleanse the entire intestinal tract. This cleansing helps create support for people experiencing different stomach and bowel disorders, including: colitis, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and leaky bowel syndrome.
In addition, in one study, human volunteers who took Cat’s claw for 8 weeks showed improved DNA repair.
Cat’s Claw can often be found combined with other ‘immune’ herbs with similar healing properties that can:
• reduce pain and inflammation of rheumatism, arthritis and other types of inflammatory problems.
• have anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties that inhibits cancerous cell formation.
• promote the healing of wounds.
• be useful for treatment of gastric ulcers and intestinal complaints.
• help to relieve chronic pain.
• enhance immunity by stimulating the immune system.
• help people experiencing stomach and bowel disorders, including colitis, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, leaky bowel syndrome, gastritis and duodenal ulcers, intestinal inflammation.
• help fight both viral and fungal infections such as Herpes and Candida
Cats Claw Herb Notes / Side Effects
Latin Names: Uncaria tomentosa
Common Names: Cat’s Claw, Una de Gato, paraguayo, garabato, garbato casha, samento, toron, tambor huasca, una huasca, una de gavilan, hawk’s claw
Suggested Properties: Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, antioxidant, antitumorous, antiviral, cytostatic, depurative, diuretic, hypotensive, immunostimulant, vermifuge
Indicated for: AIDS, arthritis, balancing intestinal flora, bone pain, bowel disorders, bursitis, cancer, candida, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic pain, colitis, Crohn’s disease, digestive complaints, duodenal ulcers, fungal infections, gastric ulcers, gastritis, gout, herpes, immune system deficiencies, improving DNA repair, inflammatory problems, intestinal complaints, irritable bowel syndrome, kidney cleanser, leaky bowel syndrome, osteoarthritis, parasites, stimulating the immune system, stomach problems, viral infections, urinary tract inflammation, wounds.
Cat’s claw should not be used by pregnant or lactating women. No reports of toxicity or serious adverse effects. Diarrhea may occur when taken in high doses.

Dr. Clifford R Hite, Ph. D.

NopaLife, Etc. 5-Alive es 5 Poderosos Extractos en Uno:
Una Maravillosa Manera Nueva de beber Nutricion Superior + Salud

¿Qué hay en la botella? 5 extractos de alimentos exóticos en 1 mezcla, repleto de nutricional real y beneficios para la salud, sin exceso de azúcar o calorías para ayudar a proteger, restaurar y transformar al cuerpo.

1. Nopal (Cactus)
2. Ganoderma (Reishi Lucidum)
3. Aloe Vera (Sabila)
4. Uña de Gato
5. Resveratrol

Nopal Research Information

Dr Oz, in his December 2010 show, said that prickly pear cactus comes from the Grand Canyon in Arizona and is full of tons of fiber and very beneficial. Bryce Wylde said that it can treat diabetes, because its fiber is both soluble and insoluble fiber, so the insoluble fiber slows down how long it takes the sugar to be released into your blood stream and system. But look at what researchers are saying.

 

THE FOLLOWING RESEARCH SUMMARIES ABOUT PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS (NOPAL) ARE PROVIDED FOR GENERAL EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.  THE INFORMATION BELOW WAS CONDUCTED BY VARIOUS UNIVERSITIES AND OR AUTHORS THAT PUBLISHED INFORMATION INDEPENDENTLY IN JOURNALS OR AS ARTICLES ABOUT PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS IN GENERAL. 

 

ONLY THE SUMMARIES AND SOURCES ARE BELOW, YOU MAY WISH TO OBTAIN THE REPORT OR STUDY IN ITS ENTIRETY.

 

1. Cactus (NOPAL): a natural product in cancer chemoprevention.

Source: September 2005, Nutrition Journal, 4:25.   By: University of Arizona’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Arizona Cancer Center, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Tucson, Arizona; Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Fudan University,  Shanghai, China; Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi, China. 

SUMMARY:  Anti-cancer: Prickly Pear Cactus (Nopal), extracts effectively inhibited cell growth in several different immortalized and cancer cell cultures in vitro and suppressed tumor growth in a nude mouse of an ovarian cancer model.  These effects of the extracts were comparable with those caused by a synthetic retinoid currently used in chemoprevention trials.  Currently, the team of research institutions is investigating the expressions of genes related to cell growth and apoptosis which may be altered by treatment with cactus products to elucidate possible pathways through which this natural product exerts its anti-cancer effects. 

  

2. Nutritional and medicinal use of Prickly Pear Cactus cladodes and fruits.

 Source:  September 2006, Frontiers in Bioscience, 11, 2574-2589. By: University of Arizona’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.  Institute of Food Technology, Plant Foodstuff Technology, Hohenheim University, Stuttgart, Germany.

SUMMARY:  Anti-cancer: based on recent studies cactus pear inhibits the proliferation of cervical, ovarian and bladder cancer cell lines in vitro and suppresses tumor growth in nude mice in vivo comparable to synthetic retinoid retinamide, which is currently used as a chemopreventive agent in ovarian cancer chemoprevention.  Anti-oxidant properties: The presence of several antioxidants (ascorbic acid, carotenoids, reduced glutathione, cysteine, taurine and flavonoids such as quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin) has been detected in cactus pear.  Recently the antioxidant properties of betalains (betanin and indicaxanthin) have been revealed in prickly pear.  Polyphenolics are antioxidants with well-known cardioprotective, anticancer, antiviral and antiallergenic properties.  Cactus polyphenolics induse a rise of the intracellular pool of calcium ions from the endoplasmic reticulum and thus perturb the expression of the interleukin 2, which is associated with the S-phase transition in human Jurkat T-cells.  Anti-viral effect:  Study demonstrated that administration of a cactus stem extract to mice, horses, and humans inhibits intracellular replication of a number of DNA- and RNA-viruses such as Herpes simplex virus Type 2, influenza virus, and HIV-1.  An inactivation of extra-cellular viruses was also reported by the same authors.

Anti-inflammatory agent:  Numerous studies have evocated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions of the prickly pear by using the fruit and stems.  The research identified beta-sitosterol as the active anti-inflammatory principle from the stem extract.

Anti-diabetic (type 2) effect:  Studies have demonstrated hypoglycemic  activity of the prickly pear cactus on diabetic humans.  Anti-hyperlipidemic and hypercholesterolemic effects:  Evidence suggest that prickly pear cactus  reduces cholesterol levels in human blood and modifies low density lipoprotein (LDL) composition.  Studies found that cholesterol LDL and triglyceride plasma levels were strongly reduced after 30 days of daily administration of cactus.  The effects of cactus are generally attributed to the high fiber content of the cladodes, although other active ingredients (such as beta-carotenes, vitamin E and beta-sitosterol) may be involved.  Further benefits:  While the cactus fruit has been traditionally used to treat ulcers, allergies, fatigue, and rheumatism and as an antiuric and diuretic agent, research has found alleviating effects toward alcohol hangover symptoms were associated with reduced inflammatory responses after excessive alcohol consumption.  Amongst the flavonoids extracted from the cactus fruit or stem, quercetin 3-methyl appears to be the most potent neuroprotector.

3. Supplementation with prickly pear cactus decreases oxidative stress in healthy humans: a comparative study with vitamin C.

Source: February 2004, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 80,391-5.   By: University of Palermo, Italy   

SUMMARY:  Consumption of prickly pear cactus positively affects the body’s redox balance, decreases oxidative damage to lipids, and improves antioxidant status in healthy humans.  Vitamin C is a well-characterized antioxidant in cactus pear fruit.  So, the research team compared the effects of supplementation with cactus pear fruit with those of supplementation of an equivalent dosage of vitamin C.   The results showed supplementations with vitamin C at a comparable dosage enhances overall antioxidant defense but does not significantly affect body oxidative stress.  Something in the cactus pear fruit other than vitamin C may help to decrease lipid oxidation.  Components of prickly pear cactus other than antioxidant vitamins may play a role in the observed effects.  The results of the present study further underscore that daily supplementation with 500g. cactus pear fruit pulp for 2 weeks greatly improves the oxidative stress status of healthy subjects.  Improved body redox status suggest major benefits from diets including cactus pear, which may reduce the risk of age-related and degenerative diseases in which the level of body oxidative stress may play a pathogenic role.  

 

4. Use of Opuntia Cactus as Hypoglycemic agent in Managing Type 2 Diabetes.

Source:  2007, Nutrition Bytes, 12:1. By:  Jose Luis Lopez, UCLA School of Medicine 

SUMMARY:  The prickly pear cactus’ pectin affectively decreases plasma LDL levels, increases expression of a polipoprotein receptor expression, increases hepatic LDL turnover, and affects cholesterol homeostasis in guinea pigs.  It demonstrates the ability to decrease blood glucose levels as well the hyperglycemic peak during glucose tolerance testing likely due to both fiber content and specific hypoglycemic agents.  In addition, the prickly pear cactus has demonstrated the ability to control experimentally induced diabetes.  Currently, homeopathic industries have begun to incorporate opuntia (prickly pear cactus) into supplements intended to help regulate plasma glucose levels.  Additional properties that would benefit patients with diabetes mellitus include its ability to reduce hypercholesterolemia, optimize platelet function, and decrease oxidative tissue damage.  The prickly pear cactus constitutes the herbal most commonly used for its hypoglycemic properties.  Its popularity in addition to its hypoglycemic properties makes the prickly pear cactus an ideal dietary constituent in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

  

5. Daily prickly pear cactus consumption improves platelet function.

Source:  2003, Science Direct, Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids 69 (2003) 61-66 By:  R. Wolfram, A. Budinsky, Y. Efthimiou, J. Stomatopoulos, A. Oguogho, H. Sinzinger.  University of Vienna, Vienna Austria.

ABSTRACT: Prickly pear cactus is traditionally used by Pima Indians as a dietary nutrient against diabetes mellitus.  We examined the effect of daily consumption of 250 g in 8 healthy volunteers and 8 patients with mild familial heterozygous hypercholesterolemia on various parameters of platelet function.  Beside its action on lipids and lipoproteins, prickly pear cactus consumption significantly reduced the platelet proteins (platelet factor 4 and B-thromboglobulin), ADP-induced platelet aggregation and improved platelet sensitivity (against PGI and PGE) in volunteers as well as in patients.  Also plasma 11-DH-TXB and the WU-test showed a significant improvement in both patients and volunteers.  In contrast, collagen-induced platelet aggregation and the number of circulating endothelial cells showed a significant response in patients only.  No influence of prickly pear cactus ingestion on peripheral platelet count was monitored.  The dietary run-in period did not influence any of the parameters of haemostasis examined. Prickly pear cactus may induce at least part of its beneficial actions on the cardiovascular system via decreasing platelet activity and thereby improving haemostatic balance.

 

6. Antioxidant compounds from four Opuntia prickly pear cactus varieties

Source:  March 2003, Elsevier Food Chemistry, 85, 527-533.  By:  Joseph O. Kuti, Texas A & M University, Horticultural Crops & Food Research Laboratory.

SUMMARY:  The antioxidant compounds in extracts from prickly pear cactus were investigated.  Conjugated flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetic), asorbic acid and caarotenoids were isolated.  One of the most interesting findings in this study regarding the phytochemical content of cactus pear fruits is that the flavonoid quercetin is one of the most commonly consumed flavonoids and thus has been well studied for its potential health benefits.  Quercetin possesses anti-proliferate, anticarcinogenic and antioxidant activities.  The high antioxidant capacity of the prickly pear cactus, observed in this study, may be due to the high phenolic content or possible a combination of individual antioxidants producing synergistic effects.  This investigation shows the potential value of prickly pear cactus as a good source of natural antioxidants and that consumption of prickly pear cactus or its products may contribute substantial amounts of antioxidants to the diet that can be used in nutritional supplement formulations.

 

7. Pectins from Opuntia spp.: A Short Review.

Source:  February 2003,  Journal of PACD, 17-29 By:  Francisco M. Goycoolea and Adriana Cardenas; Centro de Investigacion en Alimentacion y Desarrollo, A.C., Laboratory of Biopolymers; Centro de Investigacion en Alimentacion y Desarrollo, A.C., Unidad Guaymas

SUMMARY:  Two distinctive water-soluble high-molecular weight pectin polysaccharide materials that occur in Opuntia prickly pear cactus have been extracted and studied in this research laboratory, namely the well-known mucilage and a calcium-sensitive gelling fraction.  It has been demonstrated experimentally that intake of prickly pear cactus pectin decreases plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in guinea pigs as a good model to human plasma lipoprotein profile.  In patients suffering from Type 2 Diabetes, the hypoglycemic effect of cactus has long been documented.  As in the case of the hypocholesterolemic effects, the responsible mechanisms have not been established.  Other effects of the intake of cactus pectin that have been demonstrated include anti-inflammatory activity for the treatment of enteritis.  Undoubtedly, the whole subject area concerned with physiological effects of cactus pectins is complex and the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood, but the number of products based on Optunia is growing rapidly.

 

8. Absorption, excretion, and distribution of dietary antioxidant betalains in LDLs: potential health effects of betalains in humans

Source:   2004, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition; 2004;80:941-5 By: Luisa Tesoriere, Mario Allegra, Daniela Butera, and Maria A Livrea

ABSTRACT:  Background: Betalains were recently identified as natural antioxidants.  However, little is known about their bioavailability from dietary sources.  Objective:  The objective was to evaluate the bioavailability of betalains from dietary sources.  Conclusion:  Our results show that prickly pear cactus is a source of bioavailable betalains and suggest that indicaxanthin and betanin may be involved in the observed protection of LDL against ex vivo-induced oxidative modifications.

 

9. Sample text for Prickly pear cactus medicine: treatments for diabetes, cholesterol and the immune system.

Source:  Prickly Pear Cactus Medicine, Library of Congress Catalog: number 2004003633 By:  Ran Knishinsky,  

SUMMARY:   Prickly Pear Cactus Vitamin and Mineral Content:  The cactus is packed with co-factors that boost immunity.  It contains significant portions of the minerals calcium, magnesium, and potassium.  Nopal, Prickly Pear Cactus, also contains a large portion of antioxidant compounds, including flavonoids that help protect against cancer and are chiefly responsible for protecting the body against the oxidation of cholesterol.  Medicinal Benefits:  The Prickly Pear Cactus has been under intense research noting positive links between Prickly Pear Cactus and anti-hyperglycemic effects.  Studies suggest that daily intake of the Prickly Pear Cactus yielded positive results and exhibited a notable anti-diabetic effect.  Studies at the University of Arizona by Dr. Maria Luz Fernandez show the effects of diet on cholesterol metabolism.  The results of the tests point to a decrease in plasma cholesterol, which is mainly a decrease in low-density lipoprotein.  Other results also suggest that prickly pear pectin may modulate the body’s glucose response.

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Por Que El Nopal Es Necesario en Nuestra Dieta

El Nopal es muy conocido en México y es una grapa dietética con los Mexicanos. De hecho, es tan reverenciado que hasta la bandera de México lleva un emblema en honor al cactus (Nopal). También se puede encontrar tan al norte como en Canadá y tan al sur como en Argentina y se distribuye a lo largo de Europa, La India, África y el Mediterráneo. Diversos métodos de propagación pueden ser una razón de por qué se encuentra en todo el mundo.

 

El Nopal se separa en dos grupos: Cylindropuntia y Platyopuntia. Platyopuntia es de la familia que se cosecha la Opuntia Ficus-Indica. Las pencas son verdes, oblongadas y planas. Y forman parte de la dieta en México. Comúnmente conocidos otros nombres de Nopal son orejas de conejo, prickly pear cactus, cactus sin espina dorsal, lengua del diablo, etc..

 

¿Por qué Nopal es necesario hoy día en nuestra dieta?

 

En los últimos 75 años, nuestras dietas y estilos de vida han cambiado dramáticamente. Nuestros antepasados una vez trabajan sus propias granjas, comían de sus jardines y bebían agua potable y pura. No se utilizaron pesticidas y las semillas no fueron alteradas genéticamente con organismos extraños a nuestros cuerpos. Ni fueron agotadas las tierras y los cultivos no se cosechaban inapropiadamente. Pero las prácticas agrícolas han cambiado dramáticamente y también la salud de la población ha cambiado. Las enfermedades nos están afectando cada vez más y a edades más jóvenes. En Norteamérica, las estadísticas muestran que 1 en 2 hombres y 1 de cada 3 mujeres desarrollarán alguna forma de cáncer (1). Una razón por la falta de salud buena es la dieta estándar americana (SAD). Con estilos de vida agitados, más alimentos de conveniencia rápidos y menos verduras frescas del jardín, ya no se consumen alimentos nutritivos. Por lo tanto, es cada vez más importante saber a dónde acudir para complementar y enriquecer a nuestra dieta. Y el Cactus Nopal puede ser parte de la solución a nuestro dilema de dieta (2).

 

El Nopal es suculento y contiene 90% agua, materia seca de 10% y 15% de su peso está en el contenido de la fibra. Las fibras solubles e insolubles están presentes en el Nopal ye so cuenta para todas las fibras conocidas. El Nopal contiene un balance completo de  fibras; es increíblemente una concentración, orgánica de nutrición y ahora está disponible. Estas fibras de origen natural son una matriz de alimentos que reduce el tiempo de “tránsito” en el intestino. Este punto también es la relación entre una dieta alta en fibra y un menor riesgo de una salud mala.

 

Joyce Saltsman, una nutricionista declaró: “… nadie sabe si un tipo específico de fibra es más beneficioso que otro, ya que los alimentos ricos en fibra tienden a contener varios tipos” (3). sin embargo, siempre que sea posible, la fibra soluble e insoluble debe ser consumido diariamente.

 

Aunque no hay un consenso claro sobre cuánta fibra es necesaria para una salud óptima, se conviene que los habitantes de los EEUU no comen lo suficiente. Una encuesta nacional informó que la ingesta de fibra es extremadamente baja, con un promedio de sólo 7 gramos de fibra por 1.000 calorías de los alimentos ingeridos.

 

Según los profesionales de la salud en la Universidad de california Los Ángeles (UCLA), 25-40 gramos de fibra por día es la cantidad recomendada. Al añadir fibra a su dieta, se sugiere una ingesta gradual para minimizar los efectos secundarios, tales como gases intestinales, y también debe incorporarse más ingesta de agua. Para complementar su comida con Nopal puede beneficiarle con uno de los requisitos de fibra y le provee minerales, antioxidantes, vitaminas y fotoquímicas que ocurren naturalmente.

 

¿Cuáles son los beneficios del Nopal?

 

Regulación de azúcar en la sangre

Según la Asociación Americana de Diabetes, se estima que 17 millones de americanos o 6.2% de la población tienen diabetes (4). ¿Lo más sorprendente es que 1 de cada 3 ni lo saben! Aún más hay aproximadamente 850.000 a 1.7 millones de personas con diabetes tipo 1 en los EEUU hoy. También hay una tendencia alarmante entre los jóvenes que desarrollan diabetes tipo 2, una forma que fue diagnosticada previamente en adultos solamente.

 

El panorama es diferente para las personas que consumen el Nopal para cumplir con parte de sus necesidades nutricionales. El Nopal se consume en gran parte por personas de ascendencia mexicana y es parte de la dieta regular cuando la glucosa en la sangre está elevada (5). Se puede ver que el nopal controla el nivel de fluctuación de azúcar; sin embargo, se desconoce el mecanismo exacto por el cual el nopal baja el nivel de glucosa. Numerosos estudios han indicado que la ingesta de mucha fibra ayuda indirectamente al metabolismo de la glucosa en el cuerpo (7).  El mecanismo de acción para la actividad hipoglicémica (bajar los niveles de glucosa en la sangre) se cree que es debido en parte al contenido de fibra soluble de las plantas. Porque el Nopal es una buena fuente de fibra y pectina, se cree que actúan principalmente para reducir la absorción de glucosa en la tracto  gastrointestinal (8).

 

Las concentraciones de insulina disminuyen con el consumo de Nopal; por lo tanto, se cree que otro beneficio de Nopal es el mejoramiento la sensibilidad a la insulina (9). Algunos investigadores encuentran que el aumentar la fibra disminuye la necesidad del cuerpo para insulina (10, 11). Esto es una gran noticia para los diabéticos. Estudios con el Nopal en animales pancreático-tomizados (sin páncreas) han demostrado que la actividad hipoglicémica no depende de la presencia de insulina (12, 13, 14). La pulpa del Nopal también es rico en fibras solubles e insolubles y es una buena fuente de vitamina C, calcio, potasio y hierro (15).

 

Cardiovascular

 Un análisis de muchos ensayos con fibra soluble revela que tiene un efecto de reducir el colesterol, pero el grado de reducción del colesterol en muchos estudios era muy modesto (16). Por razones desconocidas, las dietas más altas en fibra insoluble (en su mayoría sin relación a los niveles de colesterol) se han divulgado para correlacionar mejor con protección contra las enfermedades del corazón en hombres y mujeres (17, 18). Otro estudio de seguimiento por 10 años con más de 68,000 mujeres, confirmó que los efectos protectores de la fibra contra la cardiopatía que estudios previos habian encontrado en los hombres (19).

 

Regulación del colesterol

 El alto contenido de pectina, aminoácidos y B3 (niacina) en el Nopal puede ayudar a la producción de exceso del bilis y retención de azúcar asociada con el colesterol alto. Los ácidos biliares excesivos eventualmente se convierten en colesterol. Investigaciones han demostrado que el nopal aumenta el tiempo de tránsito de las grasas y azúcar en el intestino. Esta acción reduce posiblemente colesterol y triglicéridos excesivos en la sangre. Los estudios de otras investigaciones sobre B3, vitamina C y beta-caroteno muestran un aumento de lipoproteínas de alta densidad (HDL, colesterol bueno) y una reducción de las lipoproteínas de baja densidad (colesterol malo, LDL) 20. Estos nutrientes son altos en propiedades antioxidantes que mantienen las paredes arteriales libres de daño de vasos sanguíneos, reduciendo así el riesgo de la enfermedad cardiac (21,22). Porque las enfermedades cardiovasculares estás catalogadas como la causa en casi la mitad de todas las muertes relacionadas con la diabetes. Las revistas, National Cholesterol Education Program (programa nacional de educación sobre el cholesterol), recientemente publicadas enfatizan la importancia de la gestión agresiva de lípidos en personas con diabetes. El consumo del Nopal puede ser parte del enfoque de gestión para los pacientes. Ensayos clínicos han demostrado los beneficios del Nopal para el mejoramiento en lípidos (23). Estos nutrientes son altos en propiedades antioxidantes que mantienen las paredes arteriales libres de daño del vaso sanguíneo reduciendo así el riesgo de enfermedad cardíaca.

 

Tracto gastrointestinal

 Un cuerpo sano tiene un colon sano y activo. Sin embargo, una dieta baja en fibra juega un papel importante en la creación de un mal funcionamiento del intestino. Según la Asociación Americana de diabetes, los americanos consumen menos de 20 a 35 gramos de fibra diaria necesaria para eliminar el estreñimiento. Esto contribuye a la queja gastrointestinal más común en los Estados Unidos, que representa anualmente 2 millones visitas al doctor y más $725 millones gastados anualmente en laxantes. De hecho, una encuesta nacional de salud realizada en 1991 notó que 4.5 millones de personas en los EEUU estuvieron constipados la mayor parte de tiempo (24).

 

Aproximadamente  un tercio (1/3) de todos los norteamericanos mayores de 45 años y dos tercios (2/3) de todas las personas mayores de 85 tienen inflamado los divertículos en su colon. Un estudio publicado, que involucró a más de 40.000 hombres de mediana edad a ancianos, demostró que una ingesta mayor de fibra se traduce a una menor incidencia de generar síntomas de diverticulosis (25). Con esta  condición pequeños bolsillos de presión extendidos y salientes se formaron en el intestino durante las deposiciones. Una dieta baja en fibra promueve diverticulosis debido a filtrar o dificultad para defecar. Esto aumenta la presión de colon y así conduce a la formación de diverticulas Inflamadas (25).

Con estos pequeños bolsillos de la condición del intestino se forman, globos aerostáticos protuberancias generalmente de la presión del esfuerzo durante las deposiciones. Una dieta baja en fibra promueve diverticulosis debido a filtrar o dificultad para defecar. Esto aumenta la presión de colon y así conduce a la formación de divertículos inflamados.

 

El Nopal tiene la gama completa de fibra necesaria para las etapas finales del proceso de digestión. Las fibras solubles e insolubles pueden reducir constipación (26). La pectina, goma y mucílago absorben el agua, aumentando el volumen fecal y contribuyen diariamente a más movimientos intestinales. Además, lignina celulosa y hemi-celulosa tallan y cepillan la membrana intestinal. Esta acción aumenta la absorción de nutrientes y reduce la absorción de desecho tóxico en el torrente sanguíneo.

 

Funciones del hígado

También hay evidencia que la fibra soluble puede retardar la fabricación del hígado del colesterol, y tambien alterar las partículas de lipoproteínas de baja densidad (LDL) para hacerlos más grandes y menos densos. Además; los investigadores creen que las pequeñs y densas partículas del colesterol LDL aumenta riesgos peligrosos para la salud (27). El colesterol HDL se conoce como colesterol “bueno” porque parece que un alto nivel de HDL protégé las paredes arteriales. Alrededor de un tercio (1/3) a una cuarta (1/4) parte de colesterol en la sangre es llevado por la lipoproteína de alta densidad o HDL. Expertos médicos creen que el HDL tiende a sacar al LDL de la sangre y llevarlo al hígado, donde se pasa a la circulación enterohepática y luego es descartado al intestino. Algunos expertos creen que el HDL elimina el exceso de colesterol de las placas y así desminuye su crecimiento. En otras palabras, le da al hígado la- capacidad de sacar el exceso de colesterol y para desintoxicar adicionales toxinas de la sangre.

 

Pérdida de peso/obesidad

 Un estudio revelador siguiendo la salud de los estadounidenses en las últimas tres décadas indica una crisis de salud que afecta no sólo a adultos, pero a la gran mayoría de nuestros hijos! La obesidad es un problema creciente y el aumento continuo de los niños con sobrepeso y adolescentes es de gran preocupación porque plantea mayores riesgos de salud en la edad adulta. Enfermedades crónicas degenerativas que afectan a los adultos ahora están afectando a nuestra juventud. Hay un mayor riesgo de enfermedad cardíaca, diabetes, hipertensión arterial y accidente cerebrovascular. También incluyen ciertos tipos de cáncer, el artritis y problemas de la respiración (28).

Utilizado por siglos, el Nopal es conocido como una “cura de azúcar” en México. Cuando se comen los alimentos agotados de fibra, sigue con una montaña rusa de niveles de azúcar en la sangre y el cuerpo responderá almacenando el exceso de azúcar como grasa. Sin embargo, la fibra soluble retarda la tasa en la cual la comida se desahce y absorbida en el torrente sanguíneo, como glucosa. La fibra es el sueño de uno que quiere perder peso porque puede ampliar lignina, celulosa y hemicelulosa en el estómago, creando llenura y por lo tanto menos ingesta de alimentos (29). Además, investigaciones han demostrado en estudios con animales una significativa reducción de la grasa versus proporción de músculo magro cuando se incluye el Nopal en la dieta (30). El Nopal como supplement puede asistir a un programa de manejo de peso creando saciedad y disminuyendo el consumo de calorías.

 

Otros beneficios del Cactus Nopal

 

* Aumento de energía

* Limpia la vejiga

* Soporta la función urinaria

* Mejora la circulación

* Ayuda a disminuir el apetito

* Ayuda a la digestión

* Limpia el sistema linfático

* Previene las úlceras

* Limpia el Colon

* Apoya la función del hígado

* Bloquea la absorción de grasa

* Baja la presión arterial

 

Fibras Dietarias

 

Fibras Solubles

Las fibras solubles son solubles en agua e incluyen pectina, gomas y mucilagos. Estas fibras también se piensan tener beneficio en la reducción de colesterol en la sangre. Por lo tanto estas fibras solubles son valiosos componentes de una dieta para bajar el cholesterol (31). Aumentan la viscosidad del alimento en el intestino, reducen el tiempo de vaciado del estómago y retrasan o reducen la absorción de glucosa en la sangre. Agentes con un alto contenido de fibra soluble disminuyen después de los niveles de glucosa—un beneficio cada vez más atractivo con el énfasis actual en el control más estricto postprandial (32). Mucílago—una sustancia gelatinosa de varias plantas que contienen proteínas y polisacáridos y es similar a las encías de la planta. ‡ (Regula la glucosa en la sangre, elimina toxinas y colesterol)

Las encías—cualquiera de varias sustancias viscosas que son exudadas por ciertas plantas y árboles y se secan en sólidos frágil y solubles en agua. † (elimina el colesterol LDL y toxinas)

 

Pectina—cualquiera de varias sustancias solubles en agua que se unen adyacentes de las paredes celulares en los tejidos vegetales y rendir un gel. ‡

(Elimina las toxinas, metales pesados, agentes carcinógenos, disminuye la absorción de los alimentos)

 

Fibra Insoluble

 Las fibras insolubles incluyen celulosa, hemicelulosa y lignina. Estas fibras de las plantas no se disuelven en agua. Aumentan el granel fecal y causan que los heces se mueva más rápidamente a través de los intestinos. Estas fibras son más propensas a ser utilizadas en el tratamiento o la prevención de constipación (33).

 

Hemi-celulosa—cualquiera de varios polisacáridos que son más complejos que un azúcar y menos compleja que la celulosa, encontrada en las paredes celulares de la planta. † (absorbe el agua, aumenta el heces)

 

Celulosa—un polisacárido (C6H10O5) de unidades de glucosa que es el componente principal de todos los tejidos vegetales y fibras. ‡ (facilita estreñimiento, elimina toxinas y sustancias cancerígenas)

 

Lignina—un polímero amorfo relacionado a la celulosa que proporciona rigidez y junto con la celulosa forma las paredes celulares de plantas y el material de cementación entre ellos. ‡ (elimina el colesterol, se une con los ácidos biliares)

 

Naturales: Fitoquímicos, antioxidantes, 17 aminoácidos

Vitaminas: A, B1, B2, B, 3 y vitamina C

Sales Minerales: potasio, magnesio y hierro, alta en calcio y baja en sodio,

¿Cuánta fibra es suficiente? La pregunta es difícil puesto que la RDA (la dosis recomendada)  no existe para la fibra y hay desacuerdo entre los expertos sobre cuánta fibra es adecuada para una salud óptima. Pero a pesar de la falta de un consenso claro, es generalmente aceptado que los ciudadanos de los EEUU comen muy poco: una encuesta de la dieta nacional informó que la ingesta de fibra es bastante baja, con un promedio de unos 7 gramos de fibra por 1.000 calorías de los alimentos ingeridos (alrededor de 14 gramos por día para una dieta de 2,000 calorías típico). ©

 

Nopal 100% Natural y Orgánico está disponible ahora con NopaLife Etc. en cápsulas o jugo concentrado.

 

Referencias
______________________________

1 Mizrahi, Y., A. Nerd, and P.S. Nobel (1996). Cacti as crops. Hort. Rev. 18:291-320.

2 1998 Cancer Facts and Figures, American Cancer Society

3 Feskens, EJM. In: Nutrition in the Control of Metabolic Diseases, World Rev Nutr Diet vol. 69, Basel: Karger; 1992:1-39.

4 FDA’s Office of Food Labeling

5 El Kossori RL, Villaume C, El Boustani E, et al. Composition of pulp, skin and seeds of prickly pears. Plant Foods Hum Nutr, 1998; 52:263- 270.

6 Taddei-Bringas GA, Santillana-Macedo MA, Romero-Cancio JA, et al. Acceptance and use of medicinal plants in family medicine. Salud Publica Mex. 1999; 41:216-20

7 Frati-Munari AC, Yever-Garces A, Becerril M, Islas S, Ariza R. Studies on the mechanism of “hypoglycemic” effect of nopal (opuntia sp). Arch Invest Med (Mex), 1987; 18:7-12.

8 Frati-Munari AC, Fernandez-Harp JA, de la Riva H, Ariza-Andraca R, del Carmen Torres M. Effects of nopal (Opuntia sp) on serum lipids, glycaemia, and body weight. Arch Invest Med (Mex), 1983; 14:117-125.

9 Meckes-Lozyoa M, Roman-Ramos R: Opuntia streptacantha: a coajutor in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Am J Chin Med 14:116-118, 1986

10 Frati AC, Gordillo BE, Altamirano P, Ariza R. Hypoglycemic effects of Opuntia steptacantha Lemaire in NIDDM. Diabetes Care, 1988; 11:63-66.

11 Ibanez-Camacho R, Meckes-Lozyoa M, Mellado-Campos V. The hypoglycemic effects of Opuntia steptacantha studied in different experimental models. J Ethnopharm, 1983; 7:175-181.

12 Ibanez-Camacho R, Roman-Ramos R: Hypoglycemic effect of Opuntia cactus. Arch Invest Med 10:223-230, 1979

13 Anderson JW, Gustafson NS, Bryart CA, Tietyen-Clark J. Dietary fiber and diabetes. J. Am. Diet Assoc. 1987; 87:1189-97

14 Nuttall FW. Dietary fiber in the management of diabetes. Diabetes 1993; 42:503-8.

15 USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. Nutrient Data Laboratory Web site. Available at: http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/cgibin/ nut_search.pl. Accessed December 14, 2001. El Kossori RL, Villaume C, El Boustani E, et al. Composition of pulp, skin and seeds of prickly pears. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 1998; 52:263-70..

16 Brown L, Rosner B, Willett WW, Sacks FM. Cholesterol-lowering effects of dietary fiber: a meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr 1999; 69:30-42.

17 Jenkins DJA, Kendall CWC, Ransom TPP. Dietary fiber, the evolution of the human diet and coronary heart disease. Nutr Res 1998; 18:633-52 [review].

18 .Wolk A, Manson JE, Stampfer MJ, et al. Long-term intake of dietary fiber and decreased risk of coronary hart disease among women. JAMA 1999; 281:1998-2004.

19 JAMA, June 2, 1999-Vol 281, No 21
.
20 Fernandez ML, Lin EC, Trejo A, et al. Prickly pear (Opuntia sp.) pectin alters hepatic cholesterol metabolism without affecting cholesterol absorption in guinea pigs fed a hypercholesterolemic diet

21, Fernandez ML, Lin EC, Trejo A, McNamara DJ. Prickly pear (Opuntia sp.) pectin reverses low density lipoprotein receptor suppression induced by a hypercholesterolemic diet in guinea pigs. J Nutr. 1992; 122:2330.

22 Fernandez ML, Lin EC, Trejo A, et al. Prickly pear (Opuntia sp.) pectin alters hepatic cholesterol metabolism without affecting cholesterol absorption in guinea pigs fed a hypercholesterolemic diet. J Nutr. 1994; 124:817-24.

23 Executive Summary of the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III). JAMA. 2001; 285:2486-97.

24 National Institutes of Health

25 The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1994

26 American Council on Science and Health Volume 9 Number 1, 1997
27 This article originally appeared in the July-August 1997 FDA Consumer and contains revisions made in September 1998
28 Nation Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2000

29 Johns Hopkins, Bayview Medical Center
30 Frati, A.C., J. A. Fernandez, H. de la Riva, R. Ariza, and M.D. C. Torres. 1983. Effects of nopal (Opuntia sp) on serum lipids, glycemia, and body weight. Arch. Invest. Med. (Mex) 14:117-125.
31 The American Council on Science and Health

32 Bastyr E, Stuart C, Brodows R, et al. Therapy focused on lowering post- 1c. Diabetes Care, 2000; 23:136-41

33 The American Council on Science and Health

‡ Merriam Webster Dictionary

† Dictionary.com

Nopal – Why Its Needed In Our Diets Today

NOPAL CACTUS

The cactus is known as Nopal in Mexico and it is a dietary staple of the native people. In fact, it is so revered that the flag of Mexico carries an emblem in honor of the cactus. It can also be found as far north as Canada and as far south as Argentina and is distributed throughout Europe, India, Africa, and the Mediterranean. Diverse methods of propagation may be one reason why it is located throughout the world.

Nopal is separated into two groups: Cylindropuntia and Platyopuntia. Platyopuntia is in the family that Opuntia Ficus-Indica is harvested. The pads or cladodes are green, oblong like and flat and are part of the diet in Mexico. Commonly known names for Nopal are bunny ears, prickly pear cactus, spineless cactus, devil tongue, etc.

Why Is Nopal Needed In Our Diets Today?

In the past 75 years, our life styles and diets have changed dramatically. Our forefathers once worked on the farms, ate from their gardens, and drank pure clean water. Pesticides were not used and seeds were not genetically altered with organisms that were foreign to our bodies. Soils were not depleted and crops were not improperly harvested. But farming practices have changed dramatically over the past several generations and so has the health of the population of our country. More and more diseases are affecting us at younger ages. In America statistics show 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will develop some form of cancer in their lives. One reason for the decline of health is the standard American diet (SAD). With hectic life styles, convenience food on the rise and less vegetables picked fresh from the garden, nutrient dense food is no longer consumed. Therefore, it is increasingly important to know where to turn to complement and enrich our diet. And the Nopal cactus may well be part of the solution to our dietary dilemma.ii

Nopal is succulent, containing 90% water, 10% dry matter and 15% of its weight is in the fiber contents. The soluble and insoluble fibers are all present in Nopal which account for all known fibers. Because Nopal contains a complete balance of fibers, an incredible, concentrated, organic food is now available. These naturally occurring fibers are in a food matrix which reduces the “transit time” in the bowel. This point also has been thought to partially explain the link between a high fiber diet and a reduced risk of.

Joyce Saltsman, a nutritionist stated: “… no one knows whether one specific type of fiber is more beneficial than another since fiber-rich foods tend to contain various types,” However, whenever it is possible, both soluble and insoluble fiber should be eaten on a daily basis.

Although there is no clear consensus on how much fiber is necessary for optimal health, it is agreed that U.S. citizens do not eat nearly enough. A national survey reported that our intake of fiber is extremely low, averaging only 7 grams of fiber per 1,000 calories of food eaten. To confuse matters more the Recommended Daily
Allowance (RDA) does not even list fiber requirements. According to health professionals at UCLA, 25-40 grams of fiber per day is a recommended amount. When adding fiber to one’s diet, a gradual intake is suggested to minimize side effects, such as intestinal gas, and increased water intake should also be incorporated. Supplementing with a whole food such as Nopal can benefit one’s daily fiber requirements and provide naturally occurring phytochemicals, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.iv

What are the Benefits of Nopal?

Blood Sugar Regulation:

According to the American Diabetes Association, it is estimated that17 million Americans or 6.2 percent of the population have diabetes. What is so astounding is that 1 in 3 does not know it! Further more there are approximately 850,000 to 1.7 million people with type 1 diabetes in the United States today. There is also an alarming trend among youth who are developing type 2 diabetes, a form that was previously diagnosed in adults only.

The picture is different with people who use the Nopal cactus to fulfill part of their nutritional needs. Nopal is consumed largely by persons of Mexican descent and is taken as part of the regular diet when the blood glucose is elevated or on an as-needed basis.5 Nopal appears to level out sugar fluctuation; however, the exact mechanism by which nopal decreases blood glucose is unknown. Numerous studies have indicated high fiber intake indirectly aids glucose metabolism in the body.7 The mechanism of action for hypoglycemic activity (lowering blood glucose levels) is thought to be due in part to the plant’s high soluble fiber content. Because Nopal is a good source of fiber and pectin, it is believed to act primarily by decreasing glucose absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.8

Insulin concentrations decrease with Nopal administration; therefore, enhanced insulin sensitivity is another theorized benefit of Nopal.9 Some researchers find that increasing fiber decreases the body’s need for insulin.10,11 This is great news for diabetics. Studies with Nopal in pancreatic-tomized (no pancreas) animals have shown that the hypoglycemic activity does not depend on the presence of insulin.12,13,14 Nopal pulp is also rich in soluble and insoluble fibers and is a good source of vitamin C, calcium, potassium, and iron.15

Cardiovascular:

An analysis of many trials of soluble fiber reveals it has a cholesterol-lowering effect, but the degree of cholesterol reduction in many studies was quite modest.16 For unknown reasons, diets higher in insoluble fiber (mostly unrelated to cholesterol levels) have been reported to correlate better with protection against heart disease in both men and women.17,18 Another study tracked more than 68,000 women over 10 years and confirmed the protective effects of fiber against heart disease that previous studies have found in men.19

Cholesterol Regulation:

The high content of pectin’s, amino acids, and B3 (niacin) in Nopal may assist the excess bile production and sugar retention associated with high blood cholesterol. Excessive bile acids are eventually converted to cholesterol. Research has shown Nopal increases the transit time of fats and sugar in the bowel. This action possibly reduces excessive cholesterol and triglycerides in the bloodstream. Other research studies on B3, vitamin C and beta-carotene show an increase of High-density lipoproteins (good cholesterol, HDL) and a reduction of Low-density lipoproteins (bad cholesterol, LDL).20 These nutrients are high in anti-oxidant properties that keep arterial walls free from blood vessel damage, thus reducing the risk of heart disease. 21,22 Because cardiovascular disease is listed as the underlying cause in nearly half of all diabetes-related deaths, the recently published revised National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines emphasize the importance of aggressive lipid management in people with diabetes. The use of Nopal can be part of the management approach in some patients. Clinical trials have demonstrated the benefit of Nopal for improvement in lipid profiles.23 These nutrients are high in anti-oxidant properties that keep arterial walls free from blood vessel damage thus reducing the risk of heart disease.

Gastrointestinal Tract:

A healthy body has a healthy and active colon. However, a diet low in fiber plays a significant role in creating a poorly functioning bowel. According to the American Diabetic Association, Americans fall short of the 20 to 35 grams of daily fiber necessary to eliminate constipation. This contributes to the most common gastrointestinal complaint in the United States, accounting for 2 million annual visits to the doctor and over $725 million spent on laxatives annually. In fact, a National Health Interview Survey conducted in 1991stated that 4.5 million people in the United States were constipated most or all the time.24
Roughly one third of all North Americans over the age of 45 and two thirds of all persons over the age of 85 have inflamed diverticula’s in their colons. A published study, which involved more than 40,000 middle-aged to elderly men, showed that higher fiber intakes translated into a lower incidence of symptom-generating diverticulosis.25With this condition small pockets of the bowel form extended, ballooning protrusions usually from the pressure of straining during bowel movements. A diet that is low in fiber promotes diverticulosis because of straining or difficulty in defecating. This increases colon pressure and thus leads to the formation of inflamed diverticula’s.25
With this condition small pockets of the bowel form extended, ballooning protrusions usually from the pressure of straining during bowel movements. A diet that is low in fiber promotes diverticulosis because of straining or difficulty in defecating. This increases colon pressure and thus leads to the formation of inflamed diverticula’s.
Nopal has the full range of fiber necessary for the final stages of the digestion process. Soluble and insoluble fibers can reduce chronic constipation.26 Pectin, gums, and mucilage absorb water, increase fecal bulk, and contribute to more bowel movements daily. In addition, lignin, cellulose, and hemi cellulose scour and brush the intestinal membrane. This action enhances absorption of nutrients and reduces toxic waste uptake back into the bloodstream.

Liver Functions:

There also is some evidence that soluble fiber can slow the liver’s manufacture of cholesterol, as well as alter low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles to make them larger and less dense. Furthermore; researchers believe that small, dense LDL particles pose greater health risks.27 HDL cholesterol is known as “good” cholesterol because a high HDL level seems to protect arterial walls. About one-third to one-fourth of blood cholesterol is carried by high-density lipoprotein or HDL. Medical experts think HDL tends to carry LDL’s out of the blood and back to the liver, where it’s passed into the enterohepatic circulation and then discarded into the bowel. Some experts believe HDL removes excess cholesterol from plaque and thus slows its growth. In other words, the liver is able to release excess cholesterol and detoxify additional toxins from of the blood.

Weight Loss/Obesity:

An eye-opening study tracing the health of Americans over the past three decades indicates a health crisis that is not only affecting adults, but the vast majority of our children! Obesity is an escalating problem and the continuing increase of overweight children and adolescents is of great concern because it poses greater health risks in adulthood. Chronic degenerative diseases that afflict adults are now affecting our youth earlier on in life. There is an increased risk for heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke. Also included are certain types of cancer, arthritis, and breathing problems.28

Used for centuries, Nopal cactus is known as a “sugar cure” in Mexico. When fiber depleted foods are eaten, a roller-coaster ride of blood sugar levels follows, and the body will respond by storing excess blood sugar as fat. However, soluble fiber slows the rate at which food is broken down and absorbed into the bloodstream as glucose. Fiber is a weight watcher’s dream since lignin’s, cellulose and hemicelluloses expand in the stomach, creating fullness, and therefore food intake is less.29 In addition, research has shown in animal studies a significant reduction of fat versus lean muscle ratio by including Nopal in the diet. 30 Supplementing with Nopal may assist a weight management program by creating satiety and lessening the consumption of calories.

Other Benefits of Nopal Cactus

* Increased Energy
* Cleanse Bladder
* Supports Urinary Function
* Circulation Improves
* Helps Decrease Appetite
* Helps With Digestion
* Cleanse Lymphatic System
* Prevent Ulcers
* Cleanse Colon
* Supports Liver Function
* Blocks Absorption Of Fat
* Lower Blood Pressure

Dietary Fibers

Soluble

Soluble fibers are water soluble and include pectin’s, gums, and mucilage’s. These fibers are also thought to be of some benefit in lowering blood cholesterol. Thus these soluble fibers are valuable components of a cholesterol-lowering diet. 31They increase the viscosity of food in the gut, slowing the emptying time of the stomach and delaying or reducing glucose absorption into the bloodstream. Agents with a high soluble fiber content decrease after meal glucose levels–an increasingly attractive benefit with the current emphasis on tighter postprandial control.32
Mucilage’s – a gelatinous substance of various plants that contain protein and polysaccharides and is similar to plant gums. ‡ (Regulates blood glucose, removes toxins and cholesterol)
Gums – any of various viscous substances that are exuded by certain plants and trees and dry into water-soluble, noncrystalline, brittle solids.† (Bulks up stool, removes LDL cholesterol and toxins)

Pectin – any of various water-soluble substances that bind adjacent cell walls in plant tissues and yield a gel.‡
(Removes toxins, heavy metals, carcinogens, slows absorption of foods)

Insoluble

Insoluble fibers include cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin. These plant fibers do not dissolve in water. They do increase fecal bulk and cause feces to move more rapidly through the intestines. These fibers are more likely to be used in the treatment or prevention of constipation.33

Hemi-cellulose – any of several polysaccharides that are more complex than a sugar and less complex than cellulose, found in plant cell walls.† (Absorbs water, bulks up stool)

Cellulose – a polysaccharide (C6H10O5) of glucose units that is the chief constituent of all plant tissues and fibers.‡ (Eases constipation, removes toxins and carcinogenic substances)

Lignin – an amorphous polymer related to cellulose that provides rigidity and together with cellulose forms the woody cell walls of plants and the cementing material between them.‡ (Removes cholesterol, binds with bile acids)

Naturally Occurring: Phytochemicals, Antioxidants, 17 Amino Acids
Vitamin: A, B1, B2, B,3 and Vitamin C
Minerals salts: Potassium, Magnesium, and Iron, High in Calcium, and Low in Sodium.

How much fiber is enough? The question is a difficult one since no RDA exists for fiber and there is disagreement among the experts about how much fiber is adequate for optimal health. But despite the lack of a clear consensus, it is generally agreed that U. S. citizens eat too little: A national diet survey reported that the intake of fiber is quite low, averaging only about 7 grams of fiber per 1,000 calories of food eaten (about 14 grams per day for a typical 2,000 calorie diet). ©
4R Health ProductsTM; Nopal cactus is available now, its called NopalacrinTM with 500 mg and 90 capsules per bottle.

References
______________________________

1 Mizrahi, Y., A. Nerd, and P.S. Nobel (1996). Cacti as crops. Hort. Rev. 18:291-320.

2 1998 Cancer Facts and Figures, American Cancer Society

3 Feskens, EJM. In: Nutrition in the Control of Metabolic Diseases, World Rev Nutr Diet vol. 69, Basel: Karger; 1992:1-39.

4 FDA’s Office of Food Labeling

5 El Kossori RL, Villaume C, El Boustani E, et al. Composition of pulp, skin and seeds of prickly pears. Plant Foods Hum Nutr, 1998; 52:263- 270.
6 Taddei-Bringas GA, Santillana-Macedo MA, Romero-Cancio JA, et al. Acceptance and use of medicinal plants in family medicine. Salud Publica Mex. 1999; 41:216-20

7 Frati-Munari AC, Yever-Garces A, Becerril M, Islas S, Ariza R. Studies on the mechanism of “hypoglycemic” effect of nopal (opuntia sp). Arch Invest Med (Mex), 1987; 18:7-12.

8 Frati-Munari AC, Fernandez-Harp JA, de la Riva H, Ariza-Andraca R, del Carmen Torres M. Effects of nopal (Opuntia sp) on serum lipids, glycaemia, and body weight. Arch Invest Med (Mex), 1983; 14:117-125.

9 Meckes-Lozyoa M, Roman-Ramos R: Opuntia streptacantha: a coajutor in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Am J Chin Med 14:116-118, 1986

10 Frati AC, Gordillo BE, Altamirano P, Ariza R. Hypoglycemic effects of Opuntia steptacantha Lemaire in NIDDM. Diabetes Care, 1988; 11:63-66.

11 Ibanez-Camacho R, Meckes-Lozyoa M, Mellado-Campos V. The hypoglycemic effects of Opuntia steptacantha studied in different experimental models. J Ethnopharm, 1983; 7:175-181.

12 Ibanez-Camacho R, Roman-Ramos R: Hypoglycemic effect of Opuntia cactus. Arch Invest Med 10:223-230, 1979

13 Anderson JW, Gustafson NS, Bryart CA, Tietyen-Clark J. Dietary fiber and diabetes. J. Am. Diet Assoc. 1987; 87:1189-97

14 Nuttall FW. Dietary fiber in the management of diabetes. Diabetes 1993; 42:503-8.

15 USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. Nutrient Data Laboratory Web site. Available at: http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/cgibin/ nut_search.pl. Accessed December 14, 2001. El Kossori RL, Villaume C, El Boustani E, et al. Composition of pulp, skin and seeds of prickly pears. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 1998; 52:263-70..

16 Brown L, Rosner B, Willett WW, Sacks FM. Cholesterol-lowering effects of dietary fiber: a meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr 1999; 69:30-42.

17 Jenkins DJA, Kendall CWC, Ransom TPP. Dietary fiber, the evolution of the human diet and coronary heart disease. Nutr Res 1998; 18:633-52 [review].

18 .Wolk A, Manson JE, Stampfer MJ, et al. Long-term intake of dietary fiber and decreased risk of coronary hart disease among women. JAMA 1999; 281:1998-2004.

19 JAMA, June 2, 1999-Vol 281, No 21
.
20 Fernandez ML, Lin EC, Trejo A, et al. Prickly pear (Opuntia sp.) pectin alters hepatic cholesterol metabolism without affecting cholesterol absorption in guinea pigs fed a hypercholesterolemic diet

21, Fernandez ML, Lin EC, Trejo A, McNamara DJ. Prickly pear (Opuntia sp.) pectin reverses low density lipoprotein receptor suppression induced by a hypercholesterolemic diet in guinea pigs. J Nutr. 1992; 122:2330.

22 Fernandez ML, Lin EC, Trejo A, et al. Prickly pear (Opuntia sp.) pectin alters hepatic cholesterol metabolism without affecting cholesterol absorption in guinea pigs fed a hypercholesterolemic diet. J Nutr. 1994; 124:817-24.

23 Executive Summary of the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III). JAMA. 2001; 285:2486-97.

24 National Institutes of Health

25 The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1994

26 American Council on Science and Health Volume 9 Number 1, 1997
27 This article originally appeared in the July-August 1997 FDA Consumer and contains revisions made in September 1998
28 Nation Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2000

29 Johns Hopkins, Bayview Medical Center
30 Frati, A.C., J. A. Fernandez, H. de la Riva, R. Ariza, and M.D. C. Torres. 1983. Effects of nopal (Opuntia sp) on serum lipids, glycemia, and body weight. Arch. Invest. Med. (Mex) 14:117-125.
31 The American Council on Science and Health

32 Bastyr E, Stuart C, Brodows R, et al. Therapy focused on lowering post- 1c. Diabetes Care, 2000; 23:136-41

33 The American Council on Science and Health

‡ Merriam Webster Dictionary

† Dictionary.com