Nopal Cactus Juice Reduces Inflammation and Pain
Nopal Cactus Betalains
The constantly increasing demand of natural food products is associated with the pronounced request for natural ingredients and supplements to prevent or treat disease. The multiple functional properties of the Nopal cactus from the Sonoran desert fit well this trend.
In this blog, we describe the multiple functional properties of Nopal cactus juice and the beneficial influence in prevention or treatment of inflammatory disease like Rheumatoid arthritis and Osteoarthritis (OA). The Nopal cactus juice contains high antioxidant capacity in vitro of Betalains, especially for superoxide and peroxyl scavenging, which decrees inflammation and rescue cells under attack by the free radicals, therefore increasing the fruits possible health benefits.
Betalains act to clean up the dead cells and help to prevent them from becoming a target for disease and was found to be a potential cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 inhibitor. It also showed a weak effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide but no effect on either lymphocyte proliferation or phagocytic capacity.
Several studies in research related the importance of diets and use of supplements in the prevention of inflammatory disease like Rheumatoid arthritis and Osteoarthritis (OA), a common type of arthritis with increased number in the aging population.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often dismissed as joint aches associated with aging, is a chronic disease mainly characterized by inflammation of the synovial membrane of the joints causing pain, warmth, stiffness, redness and swelling around the joint. As the disease progress to chronic stages, the growth of a pannus covering the synovial membrane causes the membrane to be thickened. This process is mediated by production of various cytokines, for example, tumor necrosis factor (TNF- ) and interleukin 1 (IL-1) by antigen-presenting cells and T cells.
The inflamed cells release enzymes that may digest bone and cartilage, often causing the involved joint to lose its shape, alignment, and loss of movement. Intra-articular loose bodies may develop as a consequence of the inflammatory process, thus perpetuating the inflammation themselves. Hyperemia is the first step in the inflammatory cascade. It is a hallmark of acute inflammation and is also seen in exacerbation of chronic disease. This process is reversible. As the inflammation goes on, an infiltration by inflammatory cells is noted. As long as there is no fibrosis and no cartilage or bone destruction, it is to be assumed that the process might be fully reversible. Lymphatic tissue organizes. A spectrum of cytokines and proteases is excreted, causing destruction of cartilage and bone. Because it is a chronic disease, RA continues indefinitely and may not go away.
Many publications list the many benefits of taking supplements for the prevention of inflammation, hypertension, cancer, and the importance of proper diet and supplements during treatments. (Bruera, Strasser, Palmer, Wiley, Calder et al., 2003; Norman, Butrum, Feldman, Heber, Nixon et al., 2003; Bauer & Capra, 2004)
David Ogden
CEO TheInterbiz LLC
Independent TriVita Affiliate 13142173
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