| Complementary Results: Effects of Patented Fiber | | | | Pear Cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) does not bind to |
| Complex of Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) | | | | fat-soluble vitamins A and E in a specific manner. This |
| On the Binding of Non-Specific Fat-Soluble Vitamins, | | | | is supported by a clinical pre-study. In conclusion, the |
| Bile Salts and Acids | | | | product does not pose a risk to vitamin levels. |
| While the fat absorption properties of the Prickly | | | | Bile salts and acids: |
| Pear Cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) patented fiber | | | | Fiber is differentiated from fats primarily because of |
| complex have been laboriously studied and | | | | its ability to interact and bind with bile salts. Bile salts |
| documented, the effect of the complex on other | | | | are requisite in the emulsification of dietary fats, and |
| nutrients and biochemical enzymes needs to be | | | | pancreatic lipase is one of the most vital of these |
| examined in order to ascertain the complex's safety | | | | salts. In addition to their aid in the emulsification |
| in vitro. For this reason, a clinical study was | | | | process, bile salts also play a role in gastric emptying |
| conducted on the effect of the Prickly Pear Cactus | | | | and transit time. Both bile salts and cholic acid are |
| complex on fat-soluble vitamins A and E, as well as | | | | derivatives of cholesterol, and their emulsification |
| on bile salts and acid. | | | | capacities are further enhanced by taurine and |
| Vitamins A and E: | | | | glycine. In the colon, bacteria separate these amino |
| The fat binding product patented fiber complex of | | | | acids from the cholic acid. The resulting compound is |
| Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) was added | | | | excreted from the body in the form of stool. The |
| to a mixture of sunflower oil containing approximately | | | | majority of bile salts are reabsorbed after passing |
| the recommended daily nutritional amount of vitamins | | | | through the small intense and recycled, eventually |
| A and E. The test was performed under conditions | | | | repeating the cycle by returning to the liver. |
| (aqueous phase, temperature, pH) comparable with | | | | The clinical trial results indicated that the Prickly Pear |
| those of the digestive tract. Patented fiber complex | | | | Cactus fiber complex had an effect on these bile |
| of Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) interacts | | | | acids. The concentration of bile acids were measured |
| with the fat content and decreases the quantity of | | | | on freeze-dried stool samples, and by examining their |
| fat remaining in the medium. By analysing the vitamins | | | | bile acids it was concluded that the fiber complex |
| in each remaining fatty phase the capacity of | | | | binds with some of the bile acids and prevents them |
| patented fiber complex of Prickly Pear Cactus | | | | from being degraded by the pancreatic lipase. This |
| (Opuntia ficus indica) to bind specifically to fat-soluble | | | | lack of emulsification is wholly responsible for why |
| vitamins can be evaluated. The results of the in vitro | | | | the complex prevents some lipid absorption, as these |
| tests show that patented fiber complex of Prickly | | | | acids are rendered incapable of being digested. |