Cactus Research(Page 2)"Consumption of cactus pear fruit positively affects the body’s redox balance, decreases oxidative damage to lipids, and improves antioxidant status in healthy humans."Supplementation with cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) fruit decreases oxidative stress in healthy humans: a comparative study with vitamin C1,2,3Luisa Tesoriere, Daniela Butera, Anna Maria Pintaudi, Mario Allegra and Maria A Livrea From the Dipartimento Farmacochimico Tossicologico e Biologico, Facoltà di Farmacia, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy Background: Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) fruit contains vitamin C and characteristic betalain pigments, the radical-scavenging properties and antioxidant activities of which have been shown in vitro. Objective: We investigated the effects of short-term supplementation with cactus pear fruit compared with vitamin C alone on total-body oxidative status in healthy humans. Design: In a randomized, crossover, double-treatment study, 18 healthy volunteers received either 250 g fresh fruit pulp or 75 mg vitamin C twice daily for 2 wk, with a 6-wk washout period between the treatments. Before (baseline) and after each treatment, 8-epi-prostaglandin F2{alpha} (8-epi-PGF2{alpha}) and malondialdehyde in plasma, the ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione (GSH:GSSG) in erythrocytes, and lipid hydroperoxides in LDL were measured as biomarkers of oxidative stress; plasma Trolox-equivalent antioxidant activity (TEAC) and vitamins A, E, and C were evaluated as indexes of antioxidant status. Results: Both treatments caused comparable increases compared with baseline in plasma concentrations of vitamin E and vitamin C (P < 0.05); vitamin A and TEAC did not change significantly. After supplementation with cactus pear fruit, 8-epi-PGF2{alpha} and malondialdehyde decreased by {approx}30% and 75%, respectively; GSH:GSSG shifted toward a higher value (P < 0.05); and LDL hydroperoxides were reduced by almost one-half. Supplementation with vitamin C did not significantly affect any marker of oxidative stress. Conclusions: Consumption of cactus pear fruit positively affects the body’s redox balance, decreases oxidative damage to lipids, and improves antioxidant status in healthy humans. Supplementation with vitamin C at a comparable dosage enhances overall antioxidant defense but does not significantly affect body oxidative stress. Components of cactus pear fruit other than antioxidant vitamins may play a role in the observed effects. Key Words: Cactus pear • antioxidant protection • F2-isoprostanes • vitamin C • oxidative stress • betalains • LDL • LDL oxidation • redox balance • human health Cactus Research Study - 4"Animal and human studies have demonstrated the hypoglycemic properties of the Opuntia (prickly pear) cactus..."Volume 12, Issue 1 2007 Use of Opuntia Cactus as a Hypoglycemic Agent in Managing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus among Mexican American PatientsJose Luis Lopez Jr., David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLAThis work has been peer reviewed. ABSTRACT:The consumption of Opuntia cactus is a popular herbal remedy among Mexican American patients in their management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Animal and human studies have demonstrated the hypoglycemic properties of the Opuntia (prickly pear) cactus that are likely attributable to both its fiber content and specific hypoglycemic molecular agents. Reduction in serum glucose levels are best observed when the cactus cladodes are consumed in cooked form, alluding to heating as a necessary step in attaining its hypoglycemic properties. Additional health benefits include its ability to reduce hypercholesterolemia, optimize platelet function, and decrease oxidative tissue damage. Health care professionals should inquire about and support the use of this complementary therapy among Mexican American patients in their management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. KEYWORDS:type 2 diabetes mellitus, Mexican American, Hispanic, natural therapies, Opuntia, prickly pear cactus, hypoglycemia SUGGESTED CITATION:Jose Luis Lopez Jr. (2007) "Use of Opuntia Cactus as a Hypoglycemic Agent in Managing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus among Mexican American Patients", Nutrition Bytes: Vol. 12: No. 1, Article 2.http://repositories.cdlib.org/uclabiolchem/nutritionbytes/vol12/iss1/art2 "By providing the body with great nutrition and the powerful antioxidants found in Prickly Pear Fruit you are helping your body stay young, fight disease and improve its function."Daily prickly pear 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 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 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 ingestion on peripheral platelet count was monitored. The dietary run-in period did not influence any of the parameters of haemostasis examined. No sex difference was seen. Prickly pear may induce at least part of its beneficial actions on the cardiovascular system via decreasing platelet activity and thereby improving haemostatic balance. Repairs and Refuels The damage that free radicals do in the body is like rust to a ship, corroding vital organs and over time causing death to the organism. Prickly Pear Fruit is a great solution to this ongoing problem. By providing the body with great nutrition and the powerful antioxidants found in Prickly Pear Fruit you are helping your body stay young, fight disease and improve its function.3 Prickly Pear Fruit consumption on a regular basis can improve your overall health and Well Being. You will be giving your body great nutrition, powerful healing nutrients and Super Antioxidants to fight against Oxidative stress. Research Information RequestTo receive additional research information as it becomes available, please fill out the form below. Your e-mail address will not be sold, rented or exchanged.
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