Caralluma extract benefit and side effects supplement, does this herb help you lose weight? What is the right dosage, Slenderluma and Slimaluma
September 24 2016 by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Caralluma is a succulent, an edible cactus from India, that has traditionally been eaten by tribesmen to stave off hunger during long hunts and enhance endurance. Caralluma supplements are now being marketed as appetite suppressants. I have not taken one, so I don't know how well it works on me. A study done in India shows this cactus extract to be helpful as an appetite suppressant.
   If you would like to eat less consider a product called Diet Rx. This natural appetite suppressant works without stimulants. It has no added caffeine, ephedra, ephedrine alkaloids, synephrine, hormones, ginseng, or stimulating amino acids.

Buy Caralluma extract supplement 500 mg per pill Slenderluma
Source Naturals Slenderluma uses a trademarked caralluma extract called Slimaluma

Buy Diet Rx appetite suppressant
Source Naturals Slenderluma supplement is promoted for healthy weight management and uses a trademarked caralluma extract called Slimaluma, made by a raw material supplier named Gencor Pacific.
   This caralluma extract is a 12 to 1 concentration.

Dosage, how much to take: One to three capsules a day.

Buy Caralluma extract supplement or Diet Rx

Benefits of Diet Rx dietary supplement
All natural appetite suppressant, decreases appetite so you eat less
Helps you maintain healthy blood sugar levels
Helps you maintain healthy cholesterol and lipid levels
Provides a variety of antioxidant from two dozen herbs and nutrients
Provides healthy fiber
Improves energy
Improves mental concentration and focus
Improves will power and choice of food selection

Supplements that could suppress appetite or lead to weight loss
Green tea extract may be effective in some people as a weight loss pill.
Hoodia weight loss pill is a cactus plant extract from the Kalahari desert in South Africa that has been getting a lot of attention lately as a weight loss pill.
Citrus Aurantium is a thermogenic appreciated by some people although it can increase body temperature and in very high doses can increase heart rate.
Caffeine is often found in weight loss pills but I personally don't like my patients taking extra caffeine since it can cause increased heart rate and anxiety. Most people already consume enough caffeine through coffee, tea, sodas, and chocolate.
Chitosan has not been found to be very helpful as a weight loss pill.
Ephedra is no longer available over the counter due to various health risks.
Konjac is also known as glucomannan.
Kola Nut is the seed kernel of a large African tree grown commercially around the world. It's chief constituents are caffeine, theobromine, tannins and phenolics, kolatin, and kolanin. Kola nut has thermogenic and stimulant properties but is is not a healthy weight loss pill, there are better options.
Alpha lipoic acid may also reduce appetite but it is primarily used as an antioxidant.
5-HTP is a nutrient that helps curb appetite in some individuals . 5-HTP, by converting into serotonin, can be used temporarily to improve will power and decrease the urge to eat until more established weight loss habits are in place.
Acetyl l-Carnitine may reduce appetite in some individuals.

Appetite suppression, caralluma research and review
Research on this topic has shown conflicting results:

Perspect Clin Res. 2015. To evaluate efficacy and safety of Caralluma fimbriata in overweight and obese patients: A randomized, single blinded, placebo control trial. The aim of the following study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Caralluma fimbriata extract (CFE) in overweight and obese individuals in a prospective, randomized, placebo controlled trial. Commercially available CFE was assessed in overweight and obese individuals. A total of 89 patients were randomized into a treatment group (n = 47) and placebo group (n = 42) to receive either CFE in the form capsules/oral 500 mg b.d. for 12 weeks or matching placebo in similar way. Patients were evaluated clinically and biochemically at 4, 8 and 12 weeks for anthropometric measurements, appetite, biochemical investigations and other safety parameters. At the end of study period both CFE and placebo for 12 weeks caused only numerical reduction in weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference and waist hip ratio in overweight and obese individuals. However, these parameters failed to attain significant statistical levels (P ≥ 0.05). CFE and placebo both failed to elucidate any modification of the appetite. There were no significant changes in the biochemical and clinical parameters in both the test and placebo group. However, CFE was well-tolerated and adverse events noted were mild and transient in nature. A commercially available extract of CFE in an oral dose of 1 g/day claimed to have anti-obesity effect failed to yield any positive results on anthropometry and appetite in overweight and obese individuals beyond placebo.

J Med Food. 2012. Pharmacological review of Caralluma with special reference to appetite suppression and anti-obesity. Caralluma fimbriata extract has received Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status for use as a nutraceutical to combat the most serious public health concern (i.e., obesity). More than 260 species grouped under the genus Caralluma (Family Apocynaceae) are distributed in tropical Asia and Mediterranean regions of the globe. Ethnobotanically, some species have been used as traditional and modern dietary ingredients to suppress appetite. Many species of Caralluma are commonly used as traditional medicine for the treatment of rheumatism, diabetes, leprosy, paralysis, and inflammation and have antimalarial, antitrypanosomal, anti-ulcer, antioxidant, antinociceptive, and antiproliferative activities. The genus is known for compounds like pregnane glycosides, flavonoid glycoside, flavones, magastigmane glycosides, pregnane steroids, steroidal glycosides, saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, aromatic and nonaromatic volatile compounds, and β-sitosterol. An extract of C. fimbriata (Slimaluna(®), Gencor Nutrients, Anaheim, CA, USA) is used as an anti-obesity agent and appetite suppressor. It is also seen that the pregnane glycosides isolated and identified from African Hoodia are reported as anti-obesity and appetite-suppressant compounds. On reviewing the studies undertaken on the chemistry, pharmacology, and therapeutic potential of Caralluma, it is concluded that the genus is also composed of pregnane glycosides as one of the major constituents. Availability of pregnane glycosides in Caralluma is an indication of the appetite-suppressant property of this genus. This coupled with the GRAS status of the extract of C. fimbriata has opened the possibility of developing an anti-obesity/appetite-suppressant product from other species of Caralluma. The main objective of this article is to review the studies undertaken on the plant in light of further research for anti-obesity drugs and nutraceuticals from species of Caralluma.

Effect of Caralluma Fimbriata extract on appetite, food intake and anthropometry in adult Indian men and women.
Appetite. 2007.
The effect of caralluma extract was assessed in overweight individuals by a placebo controlled randomized trial. Fifty adult men and women (25-60 years) with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25kg/m(2) were randomly assigned into a placebo or experimental group; the latter received 1 gram of caralluma extract per day for 60 days. At the end of 30 and 60 days of intervention, blood glucose and lipids, anthropometric measurements, dietary intake and assessment of appetite was performed. Waist circumference and hunger levels over the observation period showed a significant decline in the experimental group when compared to the placebo group. While there was a trend towards a greater decrease in body weight, body mass index, hip circumference, body fat and energy intake between assessment time points in the experimental group, these were not significantly different between experimental and placebo groups. Caralluma extract appears to suppress appetite, and reduce waist circumference when compared to placebo over a 2 month period.

Questions
I got an email recently about this herb, it said, "Known as a “famine food” in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, Caralluma Fimbriata is taking its place as one of the most effective appetite suppressants available. Much like other natural appetite suppressants such as hoodia and jojoba, it offers a stimulant-free option for the next generation of weight loss products." is this true?
   One study in 2007 showed some benefit in appetite suppression.

I received an email promotion by Source Naturals. It said, "Source Naturals brings you the latest in healthy weight management - Slenderluma - Natural Appetite Suppressant with Caralluma: Naturally suppresses appetite, Available in vegetarian capsules, Not a stimulant, Reduces food cravings. What is your opinion of this product?
    I have not had a chance to test caralluma supplements with patients to see if they are effective for weight loss.

I want to know if you're aware of any interactions of Slimaluma and Lipitor. My husband is 57 he takes Lipitor. Slimaluma or (C. Frumbiata) is included 166mg/pill, dosage 3 capsules per day. I just started taking it and I want to get him started as well. Our family doctor does not believe in any supplements except multi and calcium.
   A. I am not aware of such combination studies but thus far it appears that caralluma is safe but it is often difficult to predict interactions.

Slimaluma, Caralluma products and others
Slimaluma is a patented Caralluma Fimbriata extract made by Gencor Pacific.
Slenderluma is marketed by Source Naturals.