The Effect of Nopalea™, a Nutritional Supplement Containing Cactus Fruit Juice, on C-Reactive Protein Levels in Healthy Adults Assessed using a Randomized, Double-Blind, and Controlled Experimental Design
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Authors
Tsnobiladze, Medeya
Diefenbach, Patricia
Patel, Sarwat
Schmeck, Cynthia
Mattie, Mark
Issue Date
2014
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Naturopathy , Nopalea , C-Reactive protein , Fruit juice
Alternative Title
Abstract
This study was developed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of a commercial product (Nopalea™) containing Prickly Pear Cactus Fruit Juice in 286 healthy adults. The research method employed was a double blind, placebo controlled, and time-series design with C-Reactive Protein (CRP) serving as a marker for inflammation. CRP levels were measured at baseline as well as at eight weeks and 12 weeks post-treatment. Levels of uric acid were also recorded since it is known that fructose sweetened beverages elevated levels of uric acid. Blood concentrations of CRP in participants ingesting Nopalea were reduced by an average of 20.9% over a period of eight weeks. This effect diminished with time in that CRP levels were reduced by only 10.5% compared to baseline at12 weeks (see Table 1). At both eight and 12 week assessments, these reductions were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Blood concentrations of uric acid increased over the period of eight weeks by 3.8% compared to baseline. This elevation was statistically significant. However, by 12 weeks levels diminished to 1.8 over baseline and became statistically insignificant (p>0.05). Blood concentrations of CRP in participants ingesting apricot juice were reduced by an average of 7.9% over a period of eight weeks (see Table 2). By 12 weeks, this effect diminished and CRP levels were only 3.1% less than those at baseline. At both eight and 12 week assessments, these reductions were not statistically significant (p >0.05). Blood concentration of uric acid in this group increased by 5.4% over baseline by eight weeks and remained elevated by 2.9% over baseline by the end of 12 weeks. At both eight and 12 week assessments, these elevations were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Ingestion of Nopalea results in a statistically significant decrease in the inflammatory marker, CRP, in healthy adults who maintain CRP levels under 3mg/L, a level commonly associated with “average risk” for CVD.
Description
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Citation
M. Tsnobiladze, P. Diefenbach, S. Patel, C. Schmeck, M. Mattie, "The Effect of Nopalea™, a Nutritional Supplement Containing Cactus Fruit Juice, on C-Reactive Protein Levels in Healthy Adults Assessed using a Randomized, Double-Blind, and Controlled Experimental Design", ND dissertation, College of Naturopathic Medicine, Univ. of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, CT, 2014.