The leaves of the Nopal Cactus have the unique ability to bind and trap fat and certain sugars consumed during a meal and prevent their absorption into the body! Reducing the amount of fat and sugar absorbed during a meal may play a key role in cholesterol metabolism as well as weight reduction. Nopal Cactus offers vegetarians and those allergic to shellfish an effective alternative to chitosan...

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, cure or prevent disease.

Review Shopping Cart Contents

Each Vegetarian Capsules Contains:

Nopal Cactus (leaf) 600mg

Suggested use: Adults take one or two capsules before meals, 1-2 times daily, or as directed by physician.

Nopal Cactus

Nopal cactus, also called prickly pear, is a perennial cactus that grows in semi-tropical areas throughout the world. Nopal's content of gums and mucilages is thought to reduce the absorption of sugars and fats from the gastrointestinal tract.

Nopal cactus, traditionally used to control glycemia in diabetics, has been shown in scientific studies to effectively attenuate postprandial hyperglycemia. Studies comparing the glycemic and insulin indices of foods commonly eaten in Mexico show that nopal cactus has the lowest indices of all.

Nopal's therapeutic effectiveness may depend chiefly upon its content of gums and mucilages. These hydrophilic polysaccharide molecules may bind not only water as they increase in volume, but also sugars and fats as they are caught within the voluminous matrix of mucilage and water. Nopal consumption has also been demonstrated to reduce plasma low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels.

Treatment of obese patients on a low 800 Kcal. hypoglucidic diet, with mucilage such as found in Nopal Cactus, resulted in a weight loss greater than that obtained with diet alone. The investigators of this study suggested that the mucilage treatment reduced plasma cholesterol by limiting intestinal absorption of bile acids.

Another way that Nopal may effectively lower body weight is by reducing appetite. The increased volume in the stomach afforded by the swollen mucilage and water matrix of ingested Nopal may more quickly produce a feeling of satiety and thus limit caloric intake.