What is Nopal?

An Abundant Nutritional Reservoir                        What is Nopal, or Opuntia ficus-indica?   
  Amazingly, the Cactus family (Cactaceae) has more than 1,000 different species. Within that group is the species commonly called Opuntia, which in itself has about 300 completely different varieties* in that Cactaceae family whose growth regions include North, Central and South America.
  (*See our link to  www.desert-tropicals.com ) 
 

The Opuntia ficus-indica, or the Nopal plant, is a prolific succulent cactus that has been used for thousands of years by Mexican natives as a vitally important food source and for enhanced health and vitality. As a food source, Nopal is used in salads, soups, casseroles, and sandwiches as well as blended in various drinks. When used as a hypoglycemic, Nopal is used in dried powder form or taken in easy daily capsules. Don’t be confused, there are hundreds of varieties of Cactus, yet only the Opuntia ficus-indica, or Nopal, is accepted as the preferred species, widely revered for its extraordinary  Health and Nutritional Benefits!

Nopal also contains beta-carotene (Vitamin A), which has been identified as one of the strongest anti-oxidants.  Science has discovered that an excess of free radicals in our system leads to illness, disease, and premature aging.  Many experts now claim that we need additional anti-oxidants to support our bodies natural free radical fighting powers. In addition to the extremely high fiber content of natural Nopal, it contains another extraordinary ingredient: Soluble Fiber.

 Using soluble fiber tends to slow the digestion process.  This means that by taking Nopal Powder or Nopal Capsules before a meal, you feel fuller longer.  Furthermore, it has been medically established that dietary fiber supplements can reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, heart disease, and some types of arterial disease as well as lowering blood pressure, helping prevent diverticulosis, and it has a favorable effect in the management of blood sugar levels for Type 11 Diabetes.

 Blood Sugar Regulation   Diabetes is perhaps the main endocrinologic problem in the world today and one of the most important topics in overall general medicine. The percentage of diabetic patients is increasing every year and in many countries the levels are reaching 3-5% of the total population. 

The nopal stabilizes and regulates the glucose in the blood; due to that fact that it affects the precursor of the insulin.  A person who suffers from an excess of glucose in the blood, will note that once the nopal juice (nopanol) is consumed, the existing glucose diminishes  28% within 90 minutes after it is taken.  The secondary effects caused indirectly by the diabetes mellitus are manifestly reduced: improving  blurry vision and improving the blood circulation, which is very important in diabetics. 

The most important factor about nopal’s nutrients is the balance among them, more than the quantity (without a doubt being important). That is because the balance of nutrient gives it a higher rate of assimilation at the cell level (over other food), and in this way the nutrients of the nopal can help people who suffer from diabetes mellitus.  It also has an additional benefit in controlling the excess of glucose in the blood. If people who suffer diabetes mellitus consume in the morning some nopal  they will have a well being  that is manifested in  improving the vision,  more vigor of the corporal activities (desires to carry out physical and intellectual work). People who carry out heavy, physical and intellectual work, and athletics can take advantage of these properties.

As I have aged my night vision has deteriated to the point that I did not like to drive at night.  Since taking Nopal my night vision has improved tremendously. 

In Mexico doctors routinely prescribe Nopal for their diabetic patients.  The leading Universities (Medical Schools) teach the benefits of using Nopal along with Insulin.

Digestion

With its high fiber content (lignin’s and cellulose), mucilage, pectin and resins; the consumption of nopal helps in the digestion process.  The fiber “sweeps” the intestinal tract  and gives consistency to the feces. The mucilage and pectin act like lubricants of the feces, this helps avoid constipation at the same time that it helps improve operation of the Colon, preventing cancerous processes (in the Colon), formation of hemorrhoids and diverse disorders of the digestive tract. To understand this better, it should be known that the mucilage is a viscose substance that is found in the parenchyma of the cactus. It is similar to the polysaccharide peptic and with the rubber’s exudates. The mucilage is a polysaccharide whose chemical composition is connected with the capacity to store the humidity in the cactus and it is involved in their structure.  Taking nopal helps to avoid excessive dehydration, one of the unusual side benefits of this is that  taking Nopal  it before drinking alcoholic beverages diminishes the effects of hangover.  Some companies are marketing Nopal as a Hangover preventative.

 Nopal is a high in bulk forming mucilaginous fiber and contains pectin and gums that are beneficial to the digestive system.  Nopal provides essential amino acids in the form of easily-digestible protein, and the combination of its pectin and mucilage*  help support the overall digestive system. (*see link to www.esb.utexas.edu.com for Opuntia cactus Mucilage cell information)

Weight Loss

The extremely high fiber content in Nopal helps curb the appetite and fat build up is diminished while excretions are increased.  High dietary fiber intake has been shown to also protect us against diseases like diabetes, heart disease, colon disease as well as significantly helping with weight loss. Nopal has high vegetable protein that helps the body pull fluids back from the tissues into the bloodstream, thereby diminishing cellulite and fluid retention.                                                                                                              

Nopal contains 17 amino acids, 8 of which are essential; they must be taken in the daily food.  These amino acids help in giving energy and reducing fatigue, due to diminished sugar level requirements; the nopal diminishes the appetite and at the same time it contributes excellent quality nutrients. 

The amino acid, fiber and vitamin, B3 (niacin) of the nopal, are responsible removing excess sugar in the blood so that it does not become fat. Thus it reduces cholesterol, triglycerides, and metabolized cholesterols in fat and fat acids (the niacin converts the bad cholesterol into the good cholesterol); besides, eliminating the excess bile acid (that in excess become cholesterol, too).  All of the previous things help diminish the fat plaque formation in the walls of the veins and arteries, helping increase the circulation of the blood and reducing the risk of arterial hypertension, heart attacks, thrombosis, embolisms, hypoxia tisular, etc. 

 Why take Nopal Daily?    

Read the extensive Medical and scientific research on Nopal, fresh, powdered and in capsules and take it as a Nutritional Supplement or add fresh Nopal pads to your daily meals.  Then choose foods that make up a healthful diet.  Eating a healthful diet can help you reduce your risk factors for some diseases.  For example, too much saturated fat and cholesterol can raise blood cholesterol (a risk for heart disease). Too much sodium may be linked to high blood pressure.  High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart attacks and strokes.