In the dry sandy soil of India, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Northern Africa, a cactus called Caralluma Fimbriata not only thrives, but multiplies abundantly. Caralluma is so abundant that it plays an integral part in the local diet and history. Years ago hunting sustained many African and Indian tribes. Hunters faced long expeditions full of strenuous physical activity to bring home the game that the tribes needed. These hunters discovered that eating Caralluma along the way provided them with water, satisfied their hunger pangs and increased endurance.
Times have changed since then, but African, Saudi Arabians and Indian people continue to consume Caralluma regularly. It can be peeled and eaten raw, pickled or made into chutney, a traditional Indian side dish. During hard times such as famine or drought, Caralluma continues to be appreciated for its water content, the way it suppresses appetite and the energy it provides.
The Western world only found out about Caralluma Fimbriata a few years ago. It immediately entered the market as an effective weight loss aid. Since then research has revealed many of the secrets behind its benefits. Caralluma contains four different phytochemicals named pregnane glycosides, megastigmane glycosides, flavone glycosides and saponins. These active components work with our digestive enzymes and also deep within our brain to facilitate eating less and burning fat. Most Caralluma supplements recommend that you take 1,000 mg of extract twice a day. As soon as you take a dose, the phytochemicals begin suppressing Citrate lyase and Malonyl CoA.
These enzymes transform the carbohydrates that we eat into sugar. Every cell in the body needs sugar for energy and when suppression of the enzymes reduces the amount of available sugar, the body begins burning stored fat instead. Over time as the body burns fat, weight loss increases and body measurements decrease.
The phytochemicals are not limited to the digestive tract. They also travel to the brain, where they suppress appetite. The hypothalamus deep within the brain produces hormones which regulate hunger, moods and sleep.
When the hypothalamus senses that cells require additional energy, it releases the order to increase appetite and suppress metabolism. Once we have eaten sufficient, the hypothalamus sends out a different hormone to speed up metabolism and decrease appetite.
Caralluma influences the hypothalamus to focus on suppressing appetite and increasing metabolism. This benefit from Caralluma especially helps people who eat emotionally as I do. Less appetite makes it easier to refrain from constant snacking and heaping portions. Just like any other weight loss supplement, Caralluma does not work a miracle. Excess weight results from overeating and/or lack of exercise. Caralluma’s phytochemicals can not compensate for those imbalances. However when coupled with a balanced diet and regular exercise, Caralluma encourages consistent weight loss by enabling us to eat less and stimulating our bodies to burn stored fat.
Since Caralluma modifies the way enzymes interact, it can cause mild indigestion the first few days that it is taken, but these symptoms generally disappear as the body adjusts itself. Remember: if you are pregnant, nursing an infant or undergoing treatment for a chronic condition, it is wise to speak with your doctor before taking any supplement.
