Update 7/4/20. Nopalea Juice – also called Prickly Pear Cactus – is said to be a “superfruit concentrate” that “helps put out the fire of inflammation.” Cellular inflammation has gotten a lot of attention lately because research has noted that it plays a role in many diseases. But, does Nopalea work or is it a scam? More specifically, does Nopalea reduce cellular inflammation and reduce the risk of disease? In this TriVita Nopalea Juice review, you'll learn what Nopalea is as well as the research on this supplement and one of its main compounds- betalains. Is Nopalea cactus juice the real deal or a scam? Let's see what we can discover.
Who Makes Nopalea Juice?
Nopalea cactus juice is made by TriVita (TriVita.com), which sells many health supplements such:
The TriVita company has been in business since 1999. The company is located at 16100 Greenway Hayden Loop #950 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 and their phone # is (480) 337-4000.
According to the Better Business Bureau, they give Trivita a rating of A+ as of 7/4/19. The company is a BBB accredited business. See the BBB file for updates and more information.
Nopalea Ingredients
There are a LOT of ingredients in TriVita Nopalea juice. Just a few include grape seed extract, agave nectar, raspberry and strawberry extracts, and many other things that I won't touch on here. Rather, I want the focus of
this Nopalea review to be on its “main ingredient” – the ingredient discussed most on TriVita Nopalea TV commercials and websites.
That ingredient is the Nopal cactus fruit. They call it “Opuntia concentrate” on the Nopalea bottle but it also goes by the name Prickly Pear Cactus and Nopal cactus. Its scientific name is Opuntia ficus-indica. It is this ingredient on which I will focus in this review.
What Does Nopalea Mean?
Nopalea is not just the name of this TriVita supplement. It's a real word. Nopalea means cactus. In taxonomy, it refers to the genus of the Nopal cactus plant which has deep red flowers.
How Is Nopalea Supposed to Work?
If you watch the Nopalea juice TV commercial, they say that Nopalea is derived from the Nopal cactus and that this plant has compounds (they call them betalains) that reduce inflammation in the body.
By reducing chronic inflammation, Nopalea juice is supposed to reduce the risk of disease and – maybe – improve health problems that people have right now.
Nopalea TV Commerical video
Nopalea Juice Research
On the website nopalea.com there are 12 research studies listed that testify to the benefits of the Nopal cactus (Prickly Pear Cactus) extract at helping chronic inflammation, boosting the immune system, and protecting the brain. One interesting point is none of the studies contained the word “Nopalea.” In other words, it doesn't look like any of the studies were conducted using the Nopalea wellness drink itself.
While Nopalea.com only lists the studies, I want to directly link to them so you can see the research for yourself. They all sound very impressive and technical so I'll also give brief commentary, where needed, to put the research in perspective.
The studies are grouped together as follows:
Anti-toxin Activity Studies
- Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) protects against oxidative damage induced by the mycotoxin zearalenone in Balb/C mice. This is a mouse study.
- Opuntia ficus indica extract protects against chlorpyrifos-induced damage on mice liver. This is a mouse study.
- Opuntia ficus indica (L.) Mill. fruit juice protects liver from carbon tetrachloride-induced injury. This is a rat study.
Anti-Inflammatory Studies
- An anti-inflammatory principle from cactus.”. This is a mouse study.
- Antioxidant betalains from cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) inhibit endothelial ICAM-1 expression. This is a test tube study.
What About Hangovers?
In one human study researchers noted that extracts of the Nopal cactus seemed to reduce alcohol-induced hangover symptoms. The researchers speculated that the Nopal cactus extract worked because of its anti-inflammatory effects. This study of hangovers appears to be the main study cited to support the anti-inflammation benefits of the Nopal cactus – and hence Nopalea juice.
Immune System Boost Studies
Betalains a betacyanin pigment purified from fruits of Opuntia ficus-indica induces apoptosis in human chronic myeloid leukemia Cell line-K562. Apotosis means “cell death” and K562 cells are a type of cancer cell. This is a test tube study where researchers basically found that extracts of the Nopal cactus destroyed cancer cells in a test tube — not in a human.
When I say “test tube study” I am making a general statement about a study that took place outside of a living organism like animals or humans. Technically they are called “in-vitro studies.” There are some advantages of these types of investigations but they are not as “real life” as those that take place in animals or—especially— in humans. We are much more complicated than what goes on in a test tube.
- Antioxidant betalains from cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) inhibit endothelial ICAM-1 expression. This is basically a test tube study.
- Modulation of intracellular calcium concentrations and T cell activation by prickly pear polyphenols. This is a test tube study.
Brain Protection Studies
- Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase expression in activated microglia and peroxynitrite scavenging activity by Opuntia ficus indica var. saboten. This is basically a test tube study.
- Effect of Opuntia ficus indica on symptoms of the alcohol hangover. This is the same study of alcohol hangovers mentioned above.
Interventions for protecting against or treating alcohol hangover: systematic review of randomized controlled trials. This study is basically a review of several previous studies that tried to determine if there was any good way to reduce the symptoms of an alcohol hangover. Researchers concluded that there was no good proof that the Nopal cactus (Prickly Pear Cactus) or anything else helps hangovers caused by drinking too much.
Neuroprotective effects of antioxidative flavonoids, quercetin, (+)-dihydroquercetin and quercetin 3-methyl ether, isolated from Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten. This is essentially a test tube study of rat brain cells. Extracts of the Nopal cactus reduced free radical damage to isolated rat brain cells.
Summary of Research
I come to the following conclusions:
- None of them used the Nopalea supplement itself
- Most of the studies were test-tube studies and a few mouse/rat studies
- The only human study listed has to do with hangovers
TriVita Nopalea Research
Now let's dig a little deeper into the research on Nopalea juice itself. I searched the National Library of Medicine for “TriVita Nopalea” to see if any studies had been done using this supplement. None could be located.
But what about research on Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) —the type of cactus used in the TriVita Nopalea supplement?
TriVita websites and TV commercials say that Nopalea juice is a natural anti-inflammatory agent. In the study of Nopal cactus and hangovers, researchers speculated that it reduced hangovers because it reduced inflammation in the brain. They probably arrived at this conclusion because they noted that Nopal cactus reduced levels of CRP —a compound that indicates inflammation in the body.
Since CRP levels are also elevated in other inflammatory diseases, like arthritis, might extracts of the Nopal cactus also help these other conditions? TriVita hints that it will but they provide no direct proof.
Some research suggests opuntia ficus indica has antioxidant properties. One small human study (only 18 people) noted that consuming the pulp of the nopal cactus was a better antioxidant than vitamin C. The pulp of the cactus fruit has many compounds that likely act together to bring about a better antioxidant effect. Vitamin C, on the other hand, is just vitamin C.
This study used 500 grams (17.8 oz) of Nopal cactus pulp (and compared it to 150 mg of vitamin C). In theory, lesser amounts of Nopal cactus fruit might work too. I say this because I do not know how much Nopal cactus fruit or pulp is in a serving of TriVita Nopalea.
Other research studies suggest Nopal cactus may help diabetes. Some studies noted it might reduce blood sugar levels. The issue here is research often uses another species of Nopal cactus called Opuntia streptacantha and not the type of cactus used in TriVita Nopalea (which uses Opuntia ficus indica). Unfortunately, an investigation posted in 2019 notes a lack of quality human blood sugar research.
If TriVita Nopalea juice does help lower blood sugar, fantastic! Just remember that there is MUCH MORE evidence that exercise —even 20 minutes a day —can lower not only blood sugar but “A1C” levels too.
See the benefits of exercise for diabetes for more insights.
Nopalea And Weight Loss
Some have asked me if Opuntia ficus indica can help weight loss. Since the cactus pulp has fiber, it's possible, just as all-fiber foods can aid weight loss. That said, no human weight loss studies could be located. Like all foods, this cactus may have its place in a healthy diet but until somebody proves it enhances weight loss, be skeptical claims about Opuntia ficus indica (or Nopalea juice) was some magical weight loss secret.
See the XLS Medical review for more information on this topic.
What Are Betalains?
Betalains (bay-ta-linz) refers to a family of colorful phytonutrient plant chemicals. In plants, these pigments/nutrients help provide colors ranging from yellow to purple/violet. Betalines are present in various fruits and vegetables, such as beets and beet juice supplements.
There are 2 main types of betalains:
- Betacyanins: a deep red pigment
- Betaxanthins: a yellow/orange pigment
Where you find betalains, you also usually find other healthy plant compounds called anthocyanins.
Betalains Health Properties
Various studies – mostly involving lab animals and isolated cells – tell us betalains have a variety of health benefits such as:
Betalains and Cancer
Because the betalains of Prickly Pear Cactus seem to act as antioxidants, some may wonder if they might help prevent cancer or if they might be a natural alternative to chemotherapy. I don't recommend this for a couple of reasons:
1. I see no betalain supplement research concerning cancer treatment in humans.
2. Any antioxidant effects of betalains might —in theory —interfere with traditional cancer treatment.
Think about it. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals and free radical damage is exactly how chemo and radiation therapy kills cancer cells. If you have cancer, PLEASE talk to your oncologist about this before experimenting with any antioxidant supplements.
Nopalea Juice and NSAIDs?
Various TriVita websites hint that Nopalea juice can be a safer alternative to aspirin and other NSAIDs because of the natural anti-inflammatory effects of the Nopal cactus. But, as far as I can tell, this antiinflammatory effect has only been demonstrated in humans once —in the study of hangovers.
On 2/3/12 on the TV show “The Doctors” model, Cheryl Tiegs lists Nopalea cactus juice as one of her anti-aging secrets. Cheryl says she drinks Nopalea to help reduce inflammation. Cheryl Tiegs, definitely looks great but I wonder if she knows where the anti-inflammation research actually comes from?
Here is The Doctors TV segment:
On 3/29/12 Nopalea TV commercials featuring Ceryl Tieges started appearing.
Who is Doctor Becky Maes?
Dr. Becky Maes was featured on the Nopalea TV commercial I saw on 1/18/12. Back then, her Facebook page, stated she is an “an MD, Gastroenterologist, Entrepreneur, Author, Mother, and Nutritional Expert.” She is indeed a board-certified physician.
At one point, her Linkedin page stated she was affiliated with TriVita as a nutrition coach and One Star Director. Currently, her LinkedIn page states she is the medical director at ForeverGreen International Inc.
The Nopalea Wellness Challenge
You may have heard of The Nopalea Wellness Challenge. This is how it works. You drink 3-6 oz of Nopalea juice per day for 30 days and track your progress —how you feel ect. —on a form that TriVita gives you. The wellness challenge is free, but you do need to pay $9.95 for shipping and handling.
Each bottle of Nopalea has 32 oz so if you drank only 3 oz per day, 1 bottle of Nopalea would only last you only about 10 days.
But, during the Nopalea TV infomercial, some of the testimonials noted that it might take 3 months before any differences were noticed. If this is typical for most people, it means that you would need 3 bottles of Noplalea per month or about 9 bottles of Nopalea per 3 months.
How Much Does Nopalea Juice Cost?
Nopalea is not sold in stores. So I called TriVita and asked them how much Nopalea juice cost and this is what they told me.
There are several options:
- 5 Pack. Buy 4 get 1 free. Cost: $139.99 + 14.95 S/H = $154.94
- 3 Pack. Buy 2 get 1 free. Cost: $ 79.98 + 14.95 S/H = $94.93
- 2 Pack. Buy 1 get 1 free. Cost: $39.95 +$14.95 S/H = $54.90
- 10 Pack. Buy 8 and get 2 free. Cost. $279.98 + $29.90 S/H = $309.88
So, if you really wanted to do the Nopalea Wellness Challenge and were willing to give it 3 months, it would cost you about $300 to do it.
Most of these options have an auto-ship program where TriVita will send you a new batch of Nopalea juice every 30 days. You can “customize” the auto-ship so that they send it to you at intervals that work best for you, so be sure to do this if you order Nopalea to avoid stockpiling it.
Trivita Nopalea may be on Amazon for those who want to compare prices.
Trivita vs. The Competition
There are also several other brands of Nopalea juice on Amazon such as:
Because researchers usually don't compare one brand to another, it's difficult to say if either is better than another. A hunch is quality made brands may work similarly to each other although it will take clinical studies to know for sure.
Nopalea Side Effects
Nopalea juice is likely safe in most healthy people. It's been around a long time. Here are some basic things to keep in mind before using. This list is not complete:
- Start with less than recommended for the first week to see how you respond
- Stop taking Nopalea juice at least 2 weeks before having surgery
- Ask your pharmacist and doctor first if you take any prescription drugs, like blood thinners or diabetes medicine
- Speak to your doctor if you are receiving cancer therapy like chemo or radiation
- To be safe, avoid take if pregnant or breastfeeding until more research is available
Some evidence hints Nopalea extract may lower blood sugar. In theory, this could mean it may interact with diabetes medicine but the degree to which it might do this needs more study.
One woman appears to have suffered obstruction of her airway after replacing her prednisone for Nopalea. This does not mean the cactus juice caused this condition. It's more likely this problem was because she stopped taking her medicine and because of her pre-existing sarcoidosis which can also obstruct breathing.
Nopalea and the FTC
In July 2014 the Federal Trade Commission reported the several Nopalea juice companies, including TriVita had agreed to refund consumers 3.5 million dollars stemming from claims that Nopalea juice could treat various diseases. Here is the FTC letter for those who want to read it. A May 2015 FTC Press Release offers further details on refunds being given to Nopalea customers.
To be fair, just because the FDA or FTC takes action does not mean something is a scam. Rather it may mean the company overstates what its products/supplements can do. In the US, supplement companies are not allowed to say their products treat/cure disease. This is true, even if there is evidence something works.
Does Nopalea Work?
I honestly don't know if Nopalea juice works or not. If you are really curious about it – and on a budget – try to get the free bottle of Nopalea from a distributor and see if that works before paying for the more expensive options. If you want to go the extra mile, you get your blood work done first – including CRP levels – by your doctor. Then, after a month or so, get your blood work done again —including CRP —to see if anything has changed.
What do you think?
After seeing the infomercial I luckily found your forum in my initial research. I think I’ll have a V8! Thanks Joe.
Joe,
Great research but it seems to only be focused to raise discussion among the readers of your site (which curiously has an ad on it for Nopalea ). It has made me research more and look at the other options for Nopal concentrate by Optimal Health listed on Amazon and at Vitamin Shoppe. Noted physician Dr Weil has other research on his website that is not in your list. Thanks for the collection of data.
Steve, I dont sell any supplements and have no connection to the ads you see. The ads you saw help me maintain this site but I make nothing unless and ad is clicked because it looks interesting to somebody. The ads you see are based on what I write about and where google thinks you are surfing. Technically if you were looking for cars online, you might see a car ad on my site. I hope that clears things up.
I did not consult Dr Weil’s site but wanted to only look at what was on the Trivita website since I believe they would be putting the best possible research on their site to showcase their Nopolea product. Yes I have seen the nopolea juice sold at Vitamin Shoppe. I dont know how it compars to the Trivita supplement.
Hi Joe. Thank you for your thoughtful review of this product. I am a physician who has no qualms recommending natural and non-medication based therapies, but I’m appalled by the amount of trust that many people place in supplement products that are unproven and are marketed as treatments for a variety of conditions.
This is often done through loopholes where these products are considered “foods” and yet as with this product, they are being sold as treatment for diabetes, arthritis, and other “inflammatory” conditions with no evidence whatsoever demonstrating their effectiveness. In the case of this product, there is limited evidence in laboratory animals, which has limited application to humans, and I think it is a far cry suggesting that a therapy that may help hangovers will cure your rheumatoid arthritis. I’m glad that someone like Kim had relief of her ulcerative colitis, presumably from this product. It would have been better if she was a participant in a study of many people with the same disease being given this product under controlled conditions, where the results could then be used to benefit many people.
Or maybe the results would be equivocal or show no significant improvement, saving a lot of people time and money buying this supplement. It is a bit hypocritical of her to berate the pharmaceutical companies, who have been responsible for developing successful treatments and preventative therapies for infectious diseases like polio, tetanus and measles, acute rheumatic fever, hormonal disorders like hypothyroidism and diabetes, and a range of other illnesses from acute lymphocytic leukemia to hypertension.
I doubt anyone would want to return to the pretherapy days of the 19th century or earlier where most people died of infectious disease by their 40’s, many women died in childbirth due to puepural fever, diabetes and kidney disease meant a rapid progression to death, and you didn’t have to worry about the degenerative diseases of aging, because most people never lived long enough to develop them.
Understand that I’m not totally happy with all the therapies that are currently available in traditional medicine, and I think that including foods with high levels of nutrients and antioxidants is part of a healthy lifestyle, but blaming traditional medicine and the pharmaceutical companies for all your ills while looking indiscriminately at the supplement industry and nonsense like Dr. Oz’s skin scan is throwing the baby out with the bathwater in our battle with disease and attempts to achieve good health.
David, thanks I appreciate your words and insights.
I ordered Nopalea for myself and my 36 year old son. We have been taking the loading dose of 6oz per day for 3 weeks. I have had some relief of the pain in my heel (plantar fasciitis), but I’m also having acupuncture at the same time so who knows. I read with anticipation of Pete’s follow up comments. Unfortunately it wasn’t good for him, but his health problem wasn’t anything like ours. I’ll get back to you at the end of our 60 day trial. Here’s hoping!!
Debbie, thanks I’ll look forward to reading what happens 🙂
Hello my son was diagnosed with juvienille arthritis and I am wondering if this would give him any relief from the pain.
Any insight.
Denise, I have no idea if nopolea helps juvenile arthritis or not. Theoretically, if it really does reduce inflammation, maybe. I dont think it will hurt him and if it helps, I hope you will let me know. Trivita Nopalea is one brand out there. Ive seen “nopalea juice” at local health food stores. I dont know if one brand is better than another.
Hello my son was diagnosed with juvienille arthritis and I am wondering if this would give him any relief from the pain.
Any insight.
Denise, I honestly dont know. I dont think it will hurt him and I do think you should know if it works or not in a few weeks. I see no proof that TriVita Nopalea is the “best” nopalea juice out there (it might be, but I see no proof either way). I mention that because there is nopalea juice sold in health food stores also. it sometimes is labeled “prickly pear” juice. If it helps your son – or doesn’t -let me know. I’m curious.
I’ve been taking Nopalea for about 2 months now, and I’ve lost about 12 pounds. I haven’t done anything different other than take the juice.
Lu. interesting. I dont think even Trivita says Nopolea helps weight loss.
Hi Joe , As I said on July 29th I’m a diabetic an after taking 3 bottles of Noplea it has kept my blood sugar very high. I thought I could fight through it but couldn’t. I have pretty sick so I stopped taking it. Called the company about the money back guarantee and the lady said until I shipped the other 3 bottles back at my own expense no refund. When I ordered the product I asked an they told me try and if there were any problems I didn’t have to pay for the return of the product.
I’m not going to take any more but they lied to me as how to get your refund. I do not back this product if you have diabetes.
Joe,
Did you mention in your article you can try Nopalea or any Trivita products for 6o days. If you are not satasfied Trivita has a 60 days money back guarantee.
If anyone suffers from pain and inflamation, give it a try.
Hi Paul, yes I think some other TriVita distributors have also mentioned the 60 day money back guarantee.
Hi Joe,
Very interesting, interactive commentary.
My wife and I decided to give it a go, and see if the product worked. I suffer from leg swelling and very painful feet…. can hardly put pressure on my feet in the morning. I have been using the Trivita Nopal for about a week and am, oddly enough, not dreading that first series of steps from the bed.
Will follow up as time goes by.
BTW, our experience with the call center was very positive.
Thanks,
Art
Art, thanks for writing and I’ll look forward to reading how things go for you.
I have been a consumer of Trivita’s products for many years. First let me say Joe that unless you try the product you cannot assume that the people are not selling factual information.
I find Trivita very credible. My wife and I was fortunate to obtain two free bottles in 2009. since that time I have been taking this product for my hypertension. My doctor confirmed the change in my blood pressure since taking Nopalea. I only keep 5mg of medication for “JUST IN CASE” This product works.
My wife has been relieved of joint pains and discomfort. We take several Trivita products and find them excellent. We sometimes use the fruit and find it is more effective. I only need to use one half of a fruit per day along with blueberries, strawberries and bananas. One cup of juice daily is all I need to manage my blood pressure.
We will admit that the drink is a little pricey but it is effective. To those who have had bad experiences just be careful what other medicines you are taking medicines that might be interacting with this product. That might be the problem.
Hi Harold, I tried to base my review on the scientific studies of nopolea. Based on lack of the research, I felt it was presumptuous to intimate that Nopolea could help diseases, but it was not my intention to say it didn’t work. I have no good proof either way.
I’m glad Nopolea is helping you and my hope is that that your words -and those of others – spur researchers to take a good look at this product to see if there is really something to it. Im very interested in seeing if Nopolea really does lower CRP levels.
That’s a pretty neat website you have by the way. You’re a good photographer!
THanks again Joe!! Your information here is so wonderful and we all appreciate your wisdom. I will head everything you said, but understand about the angiogenesis as they surgeon’s nurse said she could do the NuStep at her residence she lives at and that would help with that as well. No bike, unfortunately and her apt. is too small. Thanks again so much!! Have a great weekend! Dierdre
Dierdre, the NuStep will work just as well as the bike – and maybe even better because it works both upper body and lower body 🙂
Joe and Blissful writer:
I just wanted to get back out here and thank both of you for your comments to my questions. I am going to check into the Ribose and will certainly start eating those wonderful foods mentioned that will help with my inflammation! Sorry took so long to get back but a lot of not fun things going on in my life taking up my time, mostly my mother’s diagnosis of PAD in her legs, with 54% stenosis of the R. leg. I am taking her to a vascular surgeon on 9/7 for consult and probable dye testing (which upsets me as there is strain to kidneys, etc.).
Any suggestions in the mean time of how to increase the circulation in her legs and get the red/purple out of her toes? Is causing her pain. Ultrasound showed no clots, thank the good lord! Is there a supplement and/or food she can eat/take to help with circulation? She has been told to walk a LOT and keep her feet elevated too. Thanks!!!! Dierdre
Dierdre, Im not a doctor if she has peripheral artery disease (PAD) shes probalby having a lot of pain in her calves when she walks. When she gets to the doctor ask the doctor if its OK if she rides a recumbent bike. you can get one from Sears etc and park it in front of the TV so she can bike and watch TV. Biking does not load the muscles like walking does and is likely to cause less ankle pain. Water exercise can also help.
Aerobic exercise (like recumbent bike etc) will take time – maybe a year – but it has the potential to help her grow new blood vessels (its called angiogenesis). This will let the blood bypass the clogged up vessels. Eventually she may be able to walk a little farther before the pain kicks in. It’s IMPORTANT that she gets the OK from the cardiologist first because PAD is a serious condition.
I have significant issues with many of the things Nopelea seems to cure. Hence, I was intrigued by the infomercial. But, as I tend to do, I researched it first. I found your article to be the most thorough and well supported. Thank you.
One thing that troubled me greatly about the company, and the claims of getting the hard sell, is that you cannot order it from their website. You have to call them and get the pitch. While disappointed, I am glad that I found some truth.
Steve thanks I’m glad I could help a little.
Roxy…
Just because someone markets a product and makes money doing so does not mean the product is bad or does not work…And…Marketing…Seriously….Are ya really going there…The drug companies are the world marketeers…And the FDA making sure a drug is safe…?
Ok…I cannot stop laughing…Have you missed the deaths and recalls and lawsuits from drugs “approved by the FDA”…Seriously…The Nopalea people are not going to list every ingredient in every amount…They have a product that works…I’m thinkin they don’t want it copied…And No It was not the placebo effect…My blood test was proof that the inflammation was there and then it was gone…
My physician thought I must be taking medication…Nope…Just the juice…I am thinking the folks that it did not work for did not take enough I take about 7 or 8 ounces a day…just a bit more than the recommended… And what do those other people eat ? Is their diet a partial cause of chronic inflammation..?
Just like any diet you can’t eat poorly and then blame the diet…I find it odd that the people who have never used it for a month or so ..or at all are the biggest nay sayers…OMG…Just try it for a month ..you’ll be writing outta the other side of your pencil !
I’ve read through all of the comments on this site and appreciate reading everyone’s feedback as to whether the product worked for them or didn’t. My concern is with the posts from Kim Doyle who indicated that Joe’s research of Nopolea juice is “irresponsible and damaging” because he questioned whether the juice worked or just a marketing ploy to sell a juice (and now we find out that it’s a Multi-Level Marketing concept which raises another red flag for me).
The Nopolea juice company is practicing irresponsible and damaging marketing practices as far as I’m concerned, and walking a legal fine line. They do not list ingredients on their website (not that i have seen) so if you have an allergy to berries as someone mentioned above (she was ready to order until she read on this page it was one of the ingredients), she could have died if she ordered the product and did not read the label (depending on her allergy symptoms and how severe here sensitivity is).
However they “sort of” cover themselves legally by indicating at the bottom of their page in fine print: “These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Children, women who are pregnant or nursing, and all individuals allergic to any foods or ingredients should consult their healthcare provider before using this product. You should not stop taking any medication without first consulting with your healthcare provider.”
First of all, I’m not employed by or associated with any type of pharmaceutical company and not a physician of any type. Ironically, I own a marketing and public relations company and can see right through the hidden messaging that companies such as these utilize.
There’s a BIG play on words and unless you are a physician or licensed nutritionist, their 1-page website indicates research on a cactus fruit’s specific property or ingredient (betacyanin), NOT on their product. Their product has a combination of other ingredients so what affect does the combination of these other ingredients have with betacyanin? In the chemistry/lab world, mixing properties can have different results.
Also, they are appealing to emotions…using a property commonly found in other common vegetables (betacyanin) and selling it as a cure to inflammation. If they say it is from Beet juice, it doesn’t sound as exotic or appealing as using the same ingredient found in a cactus fruit. I can imagine all of the consumers thinking “wow, cactus fruit…I’ve never seen one, can’t buy them in my state. It’s exotic, it must have curing properties”. Cindy Crawford sells her product line using the same marketing play to emotion that a rare melon they are using is essentially the cure to eternal youth in skin. A play to the emotion of those of us whose skin is ageing.
I have no “inflammation” issues but research is part of a marketer’s expertise and when i saw the juice commercial, i was curious about how they can say that their “juice” helps many conditions by reducing inflammation. In the marketing world, we cannot say something that is not true so what they did is back up their statements with research on one of the “main” ingredients – betacyanin – which was done on lab rats/mice.
Now getting to the point i want to make to Kim Doyle’s posts. Do your research before posting your assumptions about the Drug industry and FDA. You are correct that it takes years of research and clearing the FDA. Now we come down to WHY?
HEALTH AND SAFETY. I’m sure that everyone purchasing an ingestible product wants it to be safe to use AND does what it says it will do. Mice and rats ARE NOT HUMANS and researchers use rats and mice as their first study subject. Then they move to monkeys and other animals that have human similarities.
Before they move to humans, they have to be completely sure that the drug has been safe and effective on the animals and that they have mastered the correct dosage and properties to start the studies on humans. When they start the human studies (volunteers), there is a percentage of humans that will receive a placebo (if in pill form, it will look like the pill the others are receiving but usually just sugar or something similar that has no physical effect on the person taking it).
Some of those taking the placebo may actually think that the drug is working which is called the “placebo effect” and if their symptoms start to disappear than this group of individuals have used the power of the mind to help their symptoms (like self hypnosis). This group gets ruled out of the study and the ones taking the actual pill are closely monitored to ensure that there are no short and long term lethal effects on humans that were not found in the animal studies.
Based on the small amount of people that responded to Joe’s question as to whether the juice worked or not, it looks like close to 50/50. If my doctor prescribed a medicine for a heart condition, i would hope that the results would not be 50% chance of it working. I hope Kim is starting to see my point here.
Getting to another issue that concerns me. Is the juice company selling a reputable product or are they a Multi-Level Marketing Company? For example, the V8 Tomato juice company could create another brand and call it the Lycopene Juice. Lycopene in red tomatoes has been studied by Harvard Medical school for its prevention of many types of cancer. It’s also loaded with vitamin C, carotenes, biotin, and vitamin K.
All they have to do is use the same V8 juice, repackage it, create a new brand and repeat the selling process that Nopolea juice company is doing. Except show on their new 1-page website all of the studies done by different universities and labs of the effect of Lycopene on preventing cancer. Oh, and i forgot…charge $60 for a bottle for V8 juice that comes in a different package with a different name.
Thanks Joe for your research and remaining neutral by polling those that have tried the juice and posted their results. I can understand that when someone is in a tremendous amount of pain they are willing to try anything natural that will hopefully have the same effect as chemical drugs. I would rather not be a marketing company’s guinea pig and stuff the executive wallets on a fruit juice that probably costs about $5 per bottle to manufacture AND with no independent doctor clearance (one not financially associated with the company) nor independent studies on their product.
I’m glad the product worked for some of you and sorry that the others spent money on something that didn’t help them.
Roxy, that was very kind of you to write all of that. I did appreciate your unique insights from the PR perspective.
Cindy crawfords product is on my short list to review next.
Thanks for all your research. I, too, will research anything and everything before I buy. I have suffered with painful joints for years. Arthritis? Some doctors say maybe; some say no. Blood tests don’t show it. Lyme? Again, it’s a yes/no situation depending on the blood test. I have exercised my entire adult life (I’m 53); am in super physical condition; and I eat very well. I really would love relief from the joint pain, however, but I don’t like taking prescription drugs if I can avoid them.
I read all of your comments here and decided to order the trial bottle of Nopalea. I prefaced my phone order by telling the associate I was only interested in the $9.95 bottle. In other words, don’t bother trying to up-sell me. She was pleasant and didn’t push any other offers on me.
I will keep you informed as to any “results” I have with Nopalea–good, bad, or otherwise. It would be nice to find a more or less natural alternative to anti-inflammatory drugs!
Carol, I really do hope it helps you. yes please do keep me posted.
Joe…
I don’t know the exact numbers for that test…however they were so high that my gastro advised me that if I did not start on “something” I would be hospital bound soon…I refused and said I would think about it…these drugs…any drugs…damage the liver…So in desperation I succumbed to the Nopelea infomercial…I drank 8 ounces a day ..after 1 bottle ( the trial I bought) the worst of the UC symptoms were gone…I thought coincidence…I did not purchase more…within a week the symptoms were back…
I decided to try the juice for a month… each week I felt better and better…I had a followup appointment…He did that noncovered $300.00 blood test for inflamation…No inflamation…he actually called me to ask if I was on medication from another physician…I told him about the juice and like you..he did not believe any of it…
I said perhaps I’m in remission…He was honest enough to say that even in remission people with UC have a level of inflammation…I have none.
You didn’t try the juice…It appears you don’t have a condition that would warrant it…Don’t take this chance at feeling well away from someone…Did you ever hear..Don’t knock it till youv’e tried it ?
Why are people so quick to grab a drug….and at least not try an alternative solution….The drug companies are the true snake oil salesman…I don’t want to hear FDA approved…investigated crap…it’s only common sense that the drug companies will not invest in testing say…ginger for inflammation (which by the way does work) because they can’t bottle it and sell it exclusively…it really is just common sense…I would like to see you turn your attention and investigative efforts towards the drug companies…
Does the average person know that a drug company has a patent for so long thats why the drug is so expensive (and oddly enough you think the juice is ha !) once that patent is up any drug company can make it so the price goes down 99% or the drug company stops making it because they are now not the only corner drug dealer you can get your “stuff” from…please..you want to be helpful…investigate the true drug dealers…
Kim, I did not say I did not believe you. My hope was that you had the CRP levels before and after Nopolea juice so that you could help others who were looking for answers about whether Nopolea could really lower cellular inflammation.
Trivia talks a lot about how Nopolea reduces inflammation but (other than the study on hangovers) I didn’t see much proof. Lack of proof doesn’t mean something doesn’t work, but the proof helps me believe it more. My hope was that people like you who are seeing results could provide that proof.
I do ask tough questions but that doesn’t mean I’m anti-supplement (and pro-drug). I do believe in prevention and I take a few supplements myself.
As for investigating the drug companies, its not an interest of mine. Very few people write honestly about supplements and that’s where my interest is.
Joe,
THANK you for your research in this. I just saw the infomercial on Napolea and came to do some investigating. Over the past year+, I have been treated for Lyme Disease and Bartonella. I was on antibiotics and binding agents for neurotoxins, for 9 months. I have been off all meds now for about 4 months and have noticed my Lyme symptoms starting to return (which the CDC says is impossible, but that’s another story).
In that time, I have also let my diet slide back to what it was pre-lyme disease. That was stupid.
Deirdre, I just wanted to comment, that if you think you have Lyme and you’ve never been treated, there are some doctors that say it’s important that you have antibiotic therapy during pregnancy to help the baby. It might be something that you want to look into with not only your OB, but also the baby’s pediatrician (and find out before the baby is born). I would also suggest that you do research on pregnancy, breast feeding and Lyme disease. the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society is a good place to start.
Anyway, when I saw the infomercial, I thought “I’m willing to try anything right now” because I’m in pain and incredibly fatigued. I’m a 42 year old mom of four children under 9 that I homeschool. I NEED to be at the top of my game.
I think that finding this review and all of the comments was divine intervention. I realize now that I MUST put my money and thoughts into my food and exercise, not into a magic elixir. If that doesn’t work, then maybe I’ll try the Napolea (and I’ll let you know what I think)…but I better start with everything else first, because if I keep poisoning myself with cruddy food, there isn’t any magic drink that will cure me.
THANK YOU!
Jody, Thanks for writing and I am very glad my review and all of the wonderful commentators have helped you. One really good thing that comes from all of this is that by homeschooling your 4 kids, you will have great memories that most people will never know. Priceless.
Sir…Your review is Irresponsible and damaging to those who may be helped by this product …I have ulcerative colitis…I also work in the health care field and am an antique dealer as a sideline as well …The relevancy of this is I have constant nausea joint and abdominal pain from the UC..I am familiar with a variety of medical studies..Most are done on mice/rats as they react similarly as humans would (Ummm…why do you think they use them)
The Antique dealer part is relevant as I can not be bamboozled…I know a fake when I see it…as well as a bad deal…While I will admit I feel the juice is pricey…I tried it and drank about 8 ounces a day…I now have no inflammation in my joints…No inflammation in my entire body (a $300.00 blood test confirmed this and I’m not a mouse) No nausea and I feel as I did when I was about 30 and the UC was totally inactive…
So unless your going to try it for an extended period (Do you even have a condition that would warrant it ?) Don’t take this chance at feeling well away from others…Or…Um…Do you work for a large drug company…Mmmmm (Now thats the Antique dealer mentality kicking in !) Sincerely …Kim
Hi Kim, I do not work any drug company or supplement company. No company pays me for the reviews I write. I based my Nopolea review on the research that Trivita presented on their website as well as what I know about science.
Lab rat/mice are often used in research because they are cheap to buy, dont take up much space in the lab and they do not live as long as humans. Yes there are some similarities between the physiology of lab animals and people, but rat and mice studies should be considered as the beginning of more complex human trials.
Considering that trivita is using mouse studies as the basis for its application to humans, I felt that there should be more human research other than the study of people with hangovers.
I will take you at your word that trivita nopolea juice has helped you – and I really do hope it has helped you. In theory if Noplea juice reduced CPR levels in those suffering from a hangover, it might also do the same in those with arthritis etc. I just feel that before this is hinted at in TV commercials etc, that there should be human proof. I think you deserve that proof Kim.
Do you happen to know what your CRP levels were before and after using Nopolea juice? This will be listed on your blood test.
Before I wrote my review I actually tried to get a 3 month supply of Nopolea so I could try it myself. Nobody would give me it to me.