Caralluma cactus contributes to weight loss

Wednesday, July 20, 2011 by: Lenette Nakauchi
Tags: caralluma, weight loss, health news

(NewsTarget) With today's culture beginning to embrace healthy living, many individuals are looking for natural, organic solutions to their health issues instead of relying upon chemicals and medications. One of the largest health problems facing the United States today is obesity, so naturally, individuals are looking for ways to combat this epidemic and improve their health. One of the natural remedies to excess weight is the caralluma cactus, which is found in India and has been an important part of Indian culture for hundreds of years. Used as an appetite suppressant, many individuals claim that the caralluma cactus can contribute to weight loss.

Caralluma fimbriata, or the caralluma cactus, was used by Indian nomads and hunters to suppress their hunger when on long trips where no real food was available. By chewing on the plant, the members of the tribes could go without food for longer periods of time. Due to its effectiveness in curbing one's appetite, the plant was also eaten in times of famine or poverty, as a way to make food rations last longer and to reduce the total amount of food needed by every individual. Some of these traditions still exist today, which is why contemporary medical professionals are turning their attention to the potential of caralluma cactus to improve the health of patients suffering from obesity.

Caralluma cactus can be ingested in several ways: such as made into an extract, cooked as a vegetable, integrated into preserves (such as pickles and chutneys), or even eaten raw, as the ancient Indian tribes did. One form of the plant has not been proven more effective over another; however, a study at the Institute of Population Health and Clinical Research at St. Johns National Academy of Health Sciences in India utilized the extract form of the cactus in a study that explored the benefits of the caralluma cactus as a supplement. This study revealed that caralluma extract does suppress the appetite and does reduce the size of the waist; this supports the many claims that have been made by a variety of sources, ranging from traditional Indian medical professionals to television advertisements pushing their caralluma products.

But how does this supplement work? Caralluma cactus is hypothesized to block the activity of enzymes that contribute to fat formation, resulting in the burning of fat stores instead of the transformation of newly ingested food into fat. Paired with the plant's ability to suppress the appetite by affecting chemicals and other mechanisms in the brain, this property allows individuals that ingest caralluma in any form (extract, raw, or cooked) to experience a decrease in weight. This particular benefit can lead to a variety of other health incentives, as the loss of weight can also decrease blood pressure and improve the health of the vascular system, among other things. Though these benefits are not a direct result of consuming Caralluma cactus, they can be caused indirectly by the weight loss that individuals may experience.

To further solidify the value of the Caralluma cactus, no negative side effects have been found. The plant is not toxic and test subjects and other individuals that consume the plant have not indicated any adverse reaction to its use.

Individuals that are looking for a safe yet effective way to naturally enhance their body's ability to burn fat and lose weight can benefit from the integration of the caralluma cactus into their diet. Because this supplement can be taken in a variety of ways, from cooked or raw to the form of an extract, individuals will find it easy to incorporate into their current diets, allowing them to lose weight, burn fat, and become healthier while maintaining their loyalty to natural foods and remedies.

Sources
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17097761
http://naturalhealthsherpa.com/caralluma-fim...
http://thyroid.about.com/od/loseweightsucces...

About the author

Lenette Nakauchi is a vibration exercise and detox expert who is passionate about demonstrating to others how to get lean and fit in a fun, healthy, sustainable way. Learn more about vibration exercise and how it's used for fitness, therapy, and weight loss at http://www.thenoblerexk1.com. Learn more about her detox and cleansing product at http://www.3daycleanse.com.