title: Effects of cactus fiber on the excretion of dietary fat in healthy subjects: a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical investigation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) fiber was shown to promote weight loss in a 3-month clinical investigation. As demonstrated by in vitro studies, cactus fiber binds to dietary fat and its use results in reduced absorption, which in turn leads to reduced energy absorption and ultimately the reduction of body weight.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of our study was to elucidate the dietary fat binding capacity of cactus fiber through determination of fecal fat excretion in healthy volunteers.
  
  
  METHODS
  This clinical investigation was performed as a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study in healthy subjects for a period of approximately 45 days. Twenty healthy volunteer subjects were randomized to receive cactus fiber or placebo, 2 tablets thrice daily with main meals. All subjects were provided with meals during the study period (except washout) according to a standardized meal plan, with 35% of daily energy need coming from fat. Two 24-hour feces samples were collected during both the baseline and treatment periods for analysis of the fat content.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cactus fiber showed an increased fecal fat excretion compared with placebo (mean [SD] = 15.79% [5.79%] vs 4.56% [3.09%]; P < 0.001). No adverse events were reported throughout the study period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cactus fiber has been shown to significantly promote fecal fat excretion in healthy adults. The results of our study support the hypothesis that cactus fiber helps in reducing body weight by binding to dietary fat and increasing its excretion, thus reducing dietary fat available for absorption. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01590667.
authors: Universitätsmedizin Charité, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Ralf
authors: R
authors: Uebelhack
authors: Analyze & Realize GmbH, Clinical Research, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Regina
authors: R
authors: Busch
authors: Analyze & Realize GmbH, Clinical Research, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Felix
authors: F
authors: Alt
authors: InQpharm Europe Ltd, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.
authors: Zhi-Ming
authors: ZM
authors: Beah
authors: InQpharm Europe Ltd, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.
authors: Pee-Win
authors: PW
authors: Chong
keywords: Opuntia ficus-indica; dietary fat; fat binding; fat excretion; obesity; weight management