Nopal: The Cactus That Helps Stop Your Blood Sugar Levels From Soaring - Lowering Your Risk Of Diabetes

HSI is pleased to bring you news of a breakthrough nutritional supplement that has recently become available in the UK, called Nopal.

Nopal is derived from the prickly pear cactus, which is native to Mexico and the southwestern regions of the US. In Mexico, its use as a food and medicine dates back to the Aztec period, 900-1521 AD. After the spines have been removed, this tasty ripe fruit has a unique sweet flavour that continues to be a staple in the Mexican diet.

Its historical uses as a medicine include being taken as a cardiac tonic. The peeled stems of the cactus were also applied directly to wounds in order to facilitate the healing process and promote a speedy recovery.

Recent studies suggest that Nopal has a valuable role to play in overcoming a wide range of medical conditions. It has been found to be beneficial in helping to regulate blood sugar levels, aid weight loss, lower cholesterol levels and overcome gastrointestinal disorders like constipation.

Nopal supplements are of an extremely high quality - they are formulated using extracts from Nopal cacti that are cultivated on the slopes of the mountains of Jalisco state in Mexico. In this region the soil is particularly rich, as it is irrigated by natural spring water and remains free from harmful chemicals and fertilisers.

An abundant source of essential nutrients
It is little wonder that Nopal is able to exert so many therapeutic actions considering it is packed full of essential nutrients. It contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, and C, in addition to the minerals potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron. Also present are 18 amino acids in the form of easily digestible protein.

As a fibrous plant, Nopal is a rich source of insoluble and soluble fibre. Its high-fibre content is thought to be largely responsible for so many of its healthful benefits.

Soluble fibre helps maintain normal blood sugar levels
It is the soluble fibre compounds - including mucilages, gums and pectin - that are believed to be the main reason why Nopal is so effective in helping to stabilise blood sugar levels.

Soluble fibre is associated with slowing stomach-emptying time due to its gelling properties when mixed with water - a mechanism that causes food to be absorbed into the blood stream at a much slower rate and prevents sudden surges in blood sugar.

Soluble fibre can also lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, and some researchers have found that increasing dietary fibre intake can decrease the body's need for insulin.1

Managing diabetes without a long-term reliance on insulin injections
In an animal study, researchers found that diabetes could be successfully controlled following the use of a purified extract of the Nopal cactus.2

The study involved four groups of rats, three of which were diabetic and a non-diabetic control group. The diabetic rats were given either insulin (a hormone that lowers blood sugar), Nopal extract, or a combination of insulin and Nopal extract.
Throughout the study, the glucose levels of the control group remained similar to initial levels. The insulin-treated diabetic rats showed high glucose levels after one week, which then decreased by week two and stabilised at moderately high levels thereafter.

The diabetic rats receiving Nopal extract were found to have glucose levels similar to those of the insulin-treated rats. The diabetic rats receiving both insulin and Nopal extract were the only group with normalised glucose levels. Within two weeks, glucose levels in this group had declined to levels found in the control group. Insulin treatment was stopped and normal glucose levels were maintained with Nopal extract alone.

The scientists concluded that the control of diabetes by purified extract of Nopal can be attained with daily oral doses in the range of 1mg/kg body weight.

Nopal may help Type 2 diabetics in more ways than one
Based on a survey of South Texas residents, researchers have been assessing the link between Nopal and the metabolic control of people with Type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes.3

Although definite conclusions cannot be made until more data becomes available, preliminary findings are extremely promising and strongly suggest that Nopal may be an effective natural remedy for the successful management of Type 2 diabetes.
Analysis of six medical studies from Mexico has provided evidence to show that Nopal reduces serum glucose levels in diabetics within 30 to 180 minutes after ingestion.

Another way Nopal may help in the prevention and treatment of Type 2 diabetes is the area of obesity - a contributing factor in causing the condition. Nopal's ability to help promote weight loss is due to the fact that it absorbs water upon ingestion, which produces a feeling of fullness. This, combined with its positive effect on blood sugar levels, appears to help reduce appetite and control carbohydrate cravings.

Nopal can alleviate digestive problems and bring cholesterol levels down
Nopal's insoluble fibre content increases the bulk of faecal matter, which encourages regular bowel movements. Insoluble fibre helps shorten the rate of transit time through your gastro-intestinal tract, preventing the accumulation of waste material and reducing the risk of bowel conditions such as constipation, diverticulitis (the development of abnormal, inflamed pouches in the colon) and haemorrhoids.

Another area in which Nopal is proving to be effective is lowering cholesterol and triglyceride (blood fat) levels. High levels of either can substantially increase your risk of chronic conditions like heart disease.

This beneficial action is thought to be due to the soluble fibre - particularly in the form of mucilages and pectin - present in Nopal. It binds with bile acids that emulsify fats in the gut, which encourages their excretion from your body and prevents the build-up of fatty deposits on your artery walls.

What to take for best results
The recommended dosage is two capsules of Nopal taken with a glass of water before meals.

WARNING: Due to the fact that Nopal has a normalising effect on blood sugar levels, diabetic patients should check with their GP before taking it - particularly as medication dosage amounts may need to be reduced.

1. Anderson JW; Ward K. High-carbohydrate, high-fibre diets for insulin-treated men with diabetes mellitus. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1979;32:2312-21.
2. Trejo-Gonzalez, A. Gabriel-Ortiz, G., Puebla-Perez, A.M et al. A purified extract from prickly pear cactus (Opuntia fuliginosa) controls experimentally induced diabetes in rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology1996;55:27-33.
3. Aguilar, C., Ramirez, C., Castededa-Andrade, I., Frati-Munari et al. Opuntia (prickly pear cactus) and metabolic control among patients with diabetes mellitus (abstract). Annu Meet Int Soc Technol Assess Health Care, 1996; 12:14.