Caralluma Fimbriata Facts …
You may have heard that Caralluma Fimbriata can help you to lose weight…
Indeed it is rapidly gaining in popularity in the United States and Europe as word of its effectiveness in both weight loss and energy enhancement spreads. It is said by many to be one of India’s best kept secrets, but can it really help you to lose weight, have more energy and generally become a healthier person?
Here are some facts about Caralluma Fimbriata which will help you to find out more about it and answer some of those questions…
What Caralluma Does …
- Caralluma acts as an appetite suppressant.
- It enhances energy.
- It helps regulate blood glucose levels.
- It quenches thirst.
Caralluma Historical Use …
- Caralluma is commonly used in India as a vegetable.
- It can be eaten in several forms: cooked with salt and spices, used in preserves like pickles and chutneys, or eaten raw.
- Indian tribals suppress hunger and enhance endurance while on a day’s hunt by chewing chunks of Caralluma Fimbriata.
- Many times, tribesmen would pack only Caralluma as sustenance when they embarked on long journeys.
- It is used in India as a medicinal plant because of its healing properties.
How Caralluma Works …
- It is believed that pregnane glycosides play a part in why Caralluma Fimbriata is able to prevent fat accumulation by blocking citrate lyase.
- It contains hydroxycitrate (HCA) (10) which has been proven to contribute to weight loss in humans without stimulating the central nervous system.
- It has components which affect the appetite-control part of the brain.
- It is believed to have an inhibitory effect on the sensory mechanism of the hypothalamus.
Caralluma Fimbriata Research Findings …
- Early studies on rats showed weight loss with no adverse side effects.
- In a more recent study in which 25 people received an active compound and 25 received a placebo, it was found that there was a decrease in weight and girth, with no adverse side effects. The only side effects that were observed, constipation and flatulence, were present in both the active and the placebo groups equally.
- Another study used 26 overweight patients. 19 of these patients were placed on the active compound while 7 were placed on the placebo. More than 60% of the subjects who took that abstract lost a minimum of 6 pounds during the month. Additionally, no adverse side effects were observed.
Testaments to Caralluma Fimbriata’s Safety
- This cactus has been a part of the food chain in India for hundreds of years as a daily vegetable. To date, it has not been associated with any adverse side effects.
- Caralluma Fimbriata is listed as a famine food in the Wealth of India.
- Doctors and scientists alike have confirmed Caralluma’s safety.
- Individuals have given their testimonials regarding their regular consumption of the plant and have attested to its safety.
- One daily dose of the extract is equal in concentration of ingredients to the raw vegetable that is commonly eaten daily.
- A study that was conducted to determine LD50 did not reveal a concern or proof of toxicity. The reported level of LD50 was more than 5g/kg.
- Two separate clinical studies which comprised of 44 individuals who consumed the extract did not show any adverse side effects.
These fast facts should give you a snapshot of Caralluma Fimbriata and show not only its effectiveness as a weight loss product and energy enhancer, but also show that it is safe for human consumption.
The Caralluma Plant …
- It is a genus in the Asclepiadaceous family.
- Caralluma has star shaped flowers that can be black, purple, yellow or red.
- The flowers of the Caralluma generally appear in the summer and Autumn.
- The stems of the Caralluma are angular and have rudimentary leaves which resemble spines.
- The plant is clump forming.
- Some say that it has an unpleasant smell.
- It can be found growing wild in urban centers of India, however it is also planted and used as a boundary marker.
- The Caralluma is found primarily in India and Africa.
