Cactus (Opuntia ficus - indica)
Cactus has anti-inflammatory effects
- Nopal cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) has the potential to significantly reduce oxidative stress in the liver.
- Researchers have found that nopal-fed rats had reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and lower concentrations of malondialdehyde, a marker of lipid damage caused by oxidative stress.
- The effects are attributed to various bioactive compounds, such as the palyphenols isorhamnetin and kaempferol, which can directly neutralize ROS.
Cactus Reduces Inflammation and Helps Recovery From Hangovers
- Researchers explored how prickly pear cactus might reduce hangover symptoms by reducing inflammation.
- Volunteers were fed an extract of Opuntia ficus-indica, also known as prickly pear cactus. Overall hangover severity was moderately reduced, with a notable 50% drop in the risk of severe hangovers. The severity of hangover symptoms correlates with inflammation, which can be measured with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. CRP levels were lower in participants who consumed the prickly pear cactus extract.
Cactus Can Help with Wound Healing and Reduce Inflammation
- This study investigated the effects of a polysaccharide extract from Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes on wound healing and inflammation in rats.
- Using a rat wound model, the extract was applied topically twice daily for 21 days, and it helped to reduce inflammation, improve tissue healing, and increase pain thresholds.
- It also enhanced fibroblast activity, blood vessel formation, and oxidative stress markers, demonstrating anti-inflammatory and healing benefits.
Protects Against Fatty Liver and Liver Inflammation with Cactus
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition involving excess fat buildup in the liver, along with oxidative stress and inflammation.
- Studies in obese rats fed a diet containing 4% Opuntia ficus-indica for seven weeks showed significant improvements, including a 50% reduction in liver fat, lower markers of liver damage, and better regulation of insulin.
- These findings suggest that cactus may help reduce liver fat and protect against liver damage, making it a potential focus for future treatments for NAFLD.
Cactus Has Potential as an Alternative to Anti-inflammatory Medicine to Help Joint
Issues
- Extracts from Opuntia ficus-indica have shown potential as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory alternatives, effectively reducing inflammation and protecting cartilage in osteoarthritis. These extracts demonstrated promising results in vitro.
- In human chondrocyte (cells responsible for cartilage formation) cultures, the extracts reduced production of key molecules usually released in chronic inflammation.
- They showed better protective effects on cartilage than hyaluronic acid, a common treatment for joint issues.
Antimicrobial Properties of Cactus
- Campylobacter bacteria are a common cause of food poisoning in humans. People commonly get Campylobacter infections by eating raw or undercooked poultry.
- Extracts from the pricky pear cactus have strong antibacterial effects against Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coll, reducing their ability to grow and stick to cells.
- Studies also show pricky pear cactus extracts can act against Vibrio cholerae (bacteria that cause cholera), disrupting their membrane and reducing their energy.
- These findings suggest prickly pear cactus could help prevent food contamination and treat gut issues caused by these bacteria.
Cactus Can Help Improve Mobility by Reducing Inflammation
- Consuming nopal cactus fruit juice for eight weeks improved joint mobility, particularly in the neck, back, and hips, allowing participants to be more physically active compared to a placebo group.
- The juice reduced the impact of pain in daily activities, such as walking, sitting, and lying. It may also help with reducing inflammation.
- Overall, nopal cactus juice showed promise in supporting Joint mobility, physical functioning, and reducing inflammation, making it a potential natural aid for improving quality of life.
Cactus is Better Than Vitamin C Supplementation at Protecting Against Oxidative Stress
- Daily consumption of cactus pear fruit pulp for two weeks significantly improved oxidative stress levels in healthy individuals.
- Researchers compared the effects of cactus pear fruit pulp to vitamin C supplements.
- They found that cactus pear fruit greatly improved the oxidative stress status of their volunteers, such as a reduction in plasma markers of oxidative damage to lipids, and a higher concentration of antioxidants in plasma.
- Supplementation with vitamin C did not significantly affect the body's oxidative stress.
Cactus Can Help Lower Lipid Levels
- Researchers have found that consuming cactus pear fruit can significantly lower total cholesterol and LDL (bad") cholesterol levels, particularly in those with high cholesterol.
- Researchers believe this is due to the fiber content as well as its phytochemical composition, which helps in reducing oxidative stress.
Recover Faster From Exercise with Cactus by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Muscle
- Damage Cactus pear fruit can help reduce oxidative stress and muscle damage from endurance exercise.
- Researchers found that it could help decrease markers of muscle damage, such as creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase.
- It also helped to improve exercise performance and perceived fatigue and to lower oxidative stress markers.
Manage Blood Sugar Levels with Cactus
- Cactus cladode (leaf) can help manage blood sugar levels.
- Consumption of cactus cladode was associated with significantly lower serum glucose levels in healthy people, obese people, and people with type 2 diabetes.
- Some studies have shown significant changes in serum insulin in both healthy participants and those with type 2 diabetes.
Cactus Pear Fruit Can Help Support the Function of the Immune System
- Researchers have found that cactus pear fruit may reduce inflammation and support the function of the immune system.
- A two-week supplementation with cactus pear fruit significantly decreased pro-inflammatory biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). It increased levels of IL-10 (an anti-inflammatory cytokine).
- There was also an improvement in the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines as well as the body's overall antioxidant status.
- The results suggest adding cactus pear fruit into the diet can help regulate immune system mechanisms, reduce low-grade inflammation in the body, and help reduce the risks associated with chronic conditions.
Cactus May Help Protect Immune Tissues and Cells
- Researchers exposed rats to chlorpyrifos (CPF), a pesticide, to cause damage to immune tissues and cells.
- The CPF reduced antioxidant enzyme activity and increased oxidative damage, resulting in DNA fragmentation, and damage to immune tissues and cells, particularly in the thymus and spleen.
- They found that Opuntia ficus-indica extract significantly mitigated these harmful effects. The cactus extract helped restore antioxidant enzyme levels, reduced the measures of oxidative stress, and helped lower the level of tissue damage caused by CPF.
- Research found improved histological changes in the immune tissues, suggesting that cactus may have a protective role against this type of immune damage.
Cactus Has the Potential to Prevent Inflammation-based Disorders
- Researchers studied the benefits of indicaxanthin, a type of betaxanthin found in cactus.
- In a rat model of inflammation, administration of indicaxanthin significantly reduced inflammatory cell recruitment, fluid buildup, and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
- In addition to this, indicaxanthin can also act at the gene transcriptional level to reduce inflammation by reducing the expression of genes involved in inflammation.
- Indicaxanthin inhibits the activation of NF-kB, a key transcription factor for the entire inflammatory cascade. This suggests that indicaxanthin has the potential to prevent inflammation-based disorders.
Cactus Can Help Manage Allergic Diseases
- Kaempferol, a flavonoid found in cactus, promotes immune tolerance.
- This effect occurs through enhancing the development of Treg (regulatory T cell)-a type of immune cell that regulates the immune system-by modulating dendritic cell activity through several key molecular pathways.
- By promoting immune tolerance, kampferol suppresses allergic inflammation.
- It has potential for reducing allergic inflammation and as a natural therapeutic agent for alleviating allergic symptoms.
As a quality convenience,
We have E.EXCEL Millennium series and eLEAD Rhapsody .
Millennium Liquid 千禧泉
Ingredients: Cactus, Honey, Lemon, Orange, Royal Jelly
Millennium Red Liquid 千禧泉二号
Ingredients: Cactus, Lemon, Orange
Both Millennium and Millennium Red Liquid come with 5 packs of 200 ml each box (1000 ml per box).
Millennium Powder Beverage 千禧饮料
Ingredients: Cactus, Lemon
Millennium Gold Edition Powder Beverage 千禧金饮料
Ingredients: Cactus, Cordyceps mycelium, Lemon
ELEAD Rhapsody 协奏曲
Ingredients: Cactus, American Ginseng
All the above drinks are our family drinks for decade. It's so conveniently packed that we can drink it anytime of the day and to bring it anywhere to nourish our immune system.
Including travelling, they're a must to bring it along in our luggage.
For Example, our recent trip to BKK Thailand. NI Foods are a must to pack and bring along.
I feel very blessed that knowing Nutritional Immunology, learning the Correct Health Knowledge and understanding the Science of Manufacturing behind the NI Food Products (EEXCEL and ELEAD) making me more and more appreciate what we have to keep me and my family well -nourished everyday.
If you wish to learn more about NI Foods, the correct health knowledge, welcome to contact me to find out more.
Best Regards，
Joselyne
Excellence Lifestyle Coach
More than 15 years of experience
+65 - 9090 9942
