Effects of Cactus Fiber on the Excretion of Dietary Fat in Healthy Subjects: A Double Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Clinical Investigation

Abstract

BackgroundCactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) fiber was shown to promote weight loss in a 3-month clinical investigation. As demonstrated by in vitro studies, cactus fiber binds to dietary fat and its use results in reduced absorption, which in turn leads to reduced energy absorption and ultimately the reduction of body weight.ObjectiveThe objective of our study was to elucidate the dietary fat binding capacity of cactus fiber through determination of fecal fat excretion in healthy volunteers.Subjects and MethodsThis clinical investigation was performed as a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study in healthy subjects for a period of approximately 45 days. Twenty healthy volunteer subjects were randomized to receive cactus fiber or placebo, 2 tablets thrice daily with main meals. All subjects were provided with meals during the study period (except washout) according to a standardized meal plan, with 35% of daily energy need coming from fat. Two 24-hour feces samples were collected during both the baseline and treatment periods for analysis of the fat content.ResultsCactus fiber showed an increased fecal fat excretion compared with placebo (mean [SD] = 15.79% [5.79%] vs 4.56% [3.09%]; P < 0.001). No adverse events were reported throughout the study period.ConclusionsCactus fiber has been shown to significantly promote fecal fat excretion in healthy adults. The results of our study support the hypothesis that cactus fiber helps in reducing body weight by binding to dietary fat and increasing its excretion, thus reducing dietary fat available for absorption. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01590667.

Dietary solutions to dyslipidemia: Milk protein–polysaccharide conjugates as liver biochemical enhancers

“…Elbashir et al () also found hypoglycemic properties from inhibiting α‐glucosidases, contributing to overall diminishing of total body weight. Other explanations might concern oil absorption capacity (Thanatcha & Pranee, ) as indigestible polysaccharides can reduce fat absorption partly by binding to fat molecules and increasing their excretion (Uebelhack, Busch, Alt, Beah, & Chong, ); Though Deshpande et al () found tannins in related Ziziphus mauritana peel with the ability of inhibiting adipogenesis and of increasing adiponectin and PGC1α expression (both responsible for inducing lipid hydrolysis and fatty acid β‐oxidation), no report of tannins was found upon NabM, as more data are required.…”

“…also found hypoglycemic properties from inhibiting α-glucosidases, contributing to overall diminishing of total body weight. Other explanations might concern oil absorption capacity(Thanatcha & Pranee, 2011) as indigestible polysaccharides can reduce fat absorption partly by binding to fat molecules and increasing their excretion(Uebelhack, Busch, Alt, Beah, & Chong, 2014); ThoughDeshpande et al (2013) found tannins in related Ziziphus mauritana peel with the ability of inhibiting adipogenesis and of increasing adiponectin and PGC1α expression (both responsible for inducing lipid hydrolysis and fatty acid β-oxidation), no report of tannins was found upon NabM, as more data are required.After 45 days, WPH also performed properly, decreasing significantly (p ≤ .05) TAGs to 95.88, 98.96, and 77.11 mg/dl (WPH, WPH-PHM, and WPH-NabM, respectively). The most significant decrease TA B L E 5 Initial and final body weight and liver weight of rats fed with milk protein-mucilage complexes…”

Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica): A Review on its Antioxidants Properties and Potential Pharmacological Use in Chronic Diseases

“…Cactus fiber showed an increased fecal fat excretion compared with placebo. No adverse events were reported throughout the study period [20].…”

Opuntiaspp.: Characterization and Benefits in Chronic Diseases

“…The betacyanins identified in Opuntia fruits include betanidin, betanin, isobetanin, isobetanidin, neobetanin, phyllocactin, and gomphrenin I [3, 4, 24–26]. O. streptacantha (Cardona cultivar), (Rojalisa cultivar), and O. megacantha (Naranjona cultivar) contain traces of betanidin 5-O- β -sophoroside [34].…”