Caralluma fimbriata is a succulent plant, in the cactus family, that has been used as a natural appetite suppressant in India for centuries. It's a new arrival in the family of cactii and succulent plants that are becoming increasingly popular for their appetite suppressant, and weight loss properties, as well as their ability to lower blood sugar. Supplements made from the popular hoodia gordonii cactus from the Kalahari Desert in Africa, are, for example, growing in popularity and usage in the U.S. and Europe.
Like hoodia, caralluma fimbriata has been used to suppress appetite, and as a portable food for hunting. It is used to suppress hunger and appetite, and enhance endurance throughout India. It is also sometimes considered a "famine food," used during periods of famine to suppress appetite. For centuries, people in rural areas of India have eaten Caralluma fimbriata, which grows wild over various parts of the country.
Caralluma fimbriata is cooked as a vegetable, used in preserves like chutneys and pickles, or eaten raw. Caralluma fimbriata is believed to block the activity of several enzymes, which then blocks the formation of fat, forcing fat reserves to be burned. Caralluma fimbriata is also believed to have an effect on the appetite control mechanism of the brain.
Traditional Indian medicine experts have noted that there are no adverse effects when using Caralluma fimbriata, and the plant has no known toxicity.
In a small clinical trial conducted in India, modest benefits of Caralluma fimbriata extracts were observed. In the study, 50 overweight individuals were given either a placebo or one gram of extract each day for 60 days. Compared to the placebo group, individuals receiving the extract showed no significant change in body weight, body mass index, hip circumference, body fat or energy intake; however, both appetite and waist circumference were reduced. In another study led by Kamalakkannan et.al., on diet induced obese rat model, they found that supplementing caralluma fimbriata at a dose of 25,50 and 100mg/Kg body weight was effective in reducing feed intake and weight gain in a dose dependent manner. Histopathological study of the thoracic aorta revealed that the plant extract was effective in reducing atheroma plaque formation. This study revealed that caralluma fimbriata has anti-obesogenic and anti-atherogenic property.
It is believed that pregnane glycosides play a part in why Caralluma Fimbriata is able to prevent fat accumulation by blocking citrate lyase. It has hydroxycitrate (HCA) (10) which has been proven to contribute to weight loss in humans without stimulating the central nervous system. It has components that affect the appetite control center of the brain. It is believed to have an inhibitory effect on the sensory mechanism of the hypothalamus. It also has fat burning properties.
It has anti-rheumatic and anti-arthritic effects. There is also a notable enhancement in the HDL/LDL blood ratios along with controlling joint tenderness in other parts.
It contains saponins which are cleansing agents, helping combat acne, oily skin and scalp. This extract helps relieve dermatitis, eczema and dandruff. It is an antioxidant, rejuvenating skin cells.
Combination of Caralluma Fimbriata with other herbal anti cellulite gel shows better & very good effects to get rid of Cellulite.
Tribal hunters often consume a handful of caralluma fimbriata chunks before hunting to avoid packing food and suffering from hunger of thirst on longer hunting trips. In extensive research, Indian university professors, botanists and holistic health practitioners attest to its lack of toxicity as a food with no negative or adverse effects reported among populations with large caralluma fimbriata consumption.
Additional research has been conducted to identify caralluma fimbriata's safety as an extract taken orally. The Department of Pharmacology at St. Johns's Medical College in Bangalore, India, reports extensive research on rats to identify oral toxicity. Rats were given daily doses of caralluma fimbriata comparable to their body weight for a study period of 14 days. Tissue and organ examination research later revealed no abnormalities in organ health or function to further indicate no long-term physical health effects from consumption as an extract.
At the Western Geriatric Research Institute, studies were conducted to identify side effects or issues associated with using caralluma fimbriata as a weight-loss supplement in its extract form. In a study including 26 overweight patients, more than 60 percent of participants who received the active compound experienced weight loss while taking the supplement with no participants reporting any adverse reactions to the extract.
As a weight-loss supplement, any side effects from usage appear to minimal. Caralluma is considered safe for most people when taken for up to 60 days. The only side effects that have been reported on WebMD, a health and medical information Internet resource, are mild stomach upset, flatulence, constipation and gastritis. Any reported disturbance reportedly disappears with a week of use.
4.0 out of 5 stars Good product, June 10, 2010, By dieter
I have taken caralluma products in the past... The one complaint I have is the amount of caffeine in a serving, 200 mg. A soda only has 45 mg. This caused my stomach to be upset, a light-headed feeling, and difficulty in sleeping at night for a while.
3.0 out of 5 stars Ingredients??, June 6, 2010, By J. DeBusk
... Caralluma Fimbriata is supposed to be a good natural appetite suppressant and most other products have about 500mg of it in them. I don't suggest that anyone should buy ... without first seeing the label of ingredients.
2.0 out of 5 stars useful??, August 26, 2011, By Chris Romanowski (West Seneca New York)
did not help me. took it for a month and no significant weight loss shown.
would not purchase again. no pill can help as far as i am concerned.
Was expecting too much June 24, 2010, From Florida
After reading reviews on this, I really expected great results. This product did nothing to help with weightloss. I also got dizzy when I took it.
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good product for managing appetite, December 20, 2010, By CG Clawson
Caralluma Extreme with green tea extract is a very good product for appetite suppression and natural weight loss. It's not going to happen overnight, girls, but with some work and a good supplement you can do it!
This product did not do anything for me August 26, 2010, From Australia
I've been using this product as directed, twice per day with 2 tablets but I haven't noticed any difference. My appetite is just the same and I haven't seen any increased weight loss. I'm not drastically overweight anyway but I was looking for a way to speed up weight loss... So, in summary, I haven't noticed any difference.
spring appetite April 12, 2008, From New York
This product does suppress your appetite, but , I have noticed that it may cause nausea on an empty stomach. After I eat breakfast,or a full light meal in the afternoon, I wait an hour and take the pills. I suggest you take the pills after a full meal. I eat less meals now. It takes only about two days to notice a change in your appetite.
I really like that this is natural June 22, 2010, From Iowa
And vegetarian too.This does seem to curb my appetite and after using it for a month or so, then I stop, it helps to regulate my eating so I can do it on my own