Effect of Intake of Dehydrated Nopal Powder From Highly Mature Cladodes on the Lipid Profile

Effect of Intake of Dehydrated Nopal Powder From Highly Mature Cladodes (Opuntia Ficus-indica) on the Lipid Profile of Overweight or Obese Adults. A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Opuntia ficus-indica is a plant from the cactus family (Cactaceae) that is widespread and of great economic importance in Mexico. It has been consumed as food since pre-Hispanic times and is currently considered a nutraceutical. In this study, the effect of consumption of dehydrated nopal powder from highly mature cladodes (Opuntia ficus-indica) on the lipid profile of overweight or obese patients diagnosed with dyslipidemia was investigated. Methods: A 3-month prospective clinical trial was conducted in 35 overweight or obese patients with dyslipidemia. The sample was divided into three groups with a daily intake of 30 g of dietary fiber: Group I received 5 g of dehydrated Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes plus the standard normocaloric diet for dyslipidemia, Group II received 15 g plus the diet, and Group III followed only the diet.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants with dyslipidemia, confirmed by lipid meas-urement in blood chemistry
• overweight or obesity
• A cardiovascular risk factor associated with abdominal obesity

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with a suspected diagnosis of primary dyslipidemia
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Thyroid disease were excluded from the study
• Patients with complex or severe disease such as heart failure, liver or kidney disease
• Pregnant or lactating women
• Indidividuals taking lipid-modifying drugs or hormone replacement therapy - Patients with gastrointestinal problems and deficiencies