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Caigua (Cyclanthera pedata) is native to Peru and is also called the wild cucumber. The fruit is long, curved and soft, with a pointed tip, 10 to 20 cm long. The surface is irregular with longitudinal striations and soft, curved spines, and the color varies from light to dark green. It is usually eaten as vegetable in salads. In case of disease or/and obesity it can be eaten as juice extract during a fast. It is also effective as dehydrated powder. It has various traditional medicinal usages, mainly to:
It has been said it is the most natural and the most potent fat absorber and taken together with Hercampuri, it is consumed to rejuvenate & reduce cellulite. ELF provides caigua as a whole food extract powder. Pharmacological Information The unicentric, randomized, parallel and double blind test carried out in the Cayetano Heredia University in post-menopausal women showed reduction in cholesterol levels with a dosage of 1800 mg of micro-pulverized caigua daily. Hypercholesterol was reduced from 75% to 12.5%. It was shown that the levels of the LDL cholesterol decreased, while that of HDL cholesterol increased. Another study realized by the same University in 60 adults for a period of 12 weeks registered the reduction of LDL cholesterol by 23% and increase of HDL cholesterol by 42% in the group treated with 6 capsules daily. In the cases of hypercholesterolaemia, treatment with 6 capsules daily normalized the levels of seric cholesterol in 82% of the cases. A preclinical study showed a decrease in cholesterol levels from the 332.4 in the control group to 128.4 in the group treated with freeze-dried caigua at a dosage of 40mg/100g of diet for a period of 8 weeks. Results from clinical studies on adult male and females in Peru suggest that dehydrated Caigua resulted in an adequate treatment for cases of hyper-cholesterolemia and/or hypertriglyceridemia. A preclinical study compared the anti-inflammatory effect of caigua, administered intra-peritoneum, with that of ibuprofin, showing an anti-inflammatory effect of 57% in the case of caigua at the maximum dosage investigated, as compared with 35.7%in the case of ibuprofin. The effect was shown to be dosage dependent. A similar study using oral administration showed a more moderate effect with respect to the percentage inhibition of inflammation, but always dosage dependent. Toxicological Information Adverse Reactions: Caigua is considered to be non-toxic and has no reported adverse reactions or Interactions with other substances. Precautions: Do not take during pregnancy. Warning: Interrupt use if any adverse reactions are noticed. Consult a doctor. Conditions for storage: Keep in a fresh, dry place. Protect from light. Phytochemicals Ripe fruit contains: peptin, galacturonic acid, dihydroxitriptamine, pierine, resins, minerals (phosphorus), vitamins (thiamine, vit. C), lipoproteins and steroidal compound (systosterol and 3 beta D glucoside) with hypoglicaemic and antilipemic (against cholesterol LDL) action, low density lipoproteins. Unripe fruit contains: luteoline, diosgenine (basis of production of sex hormones, anti-inflammatory and anabolizants), stigmasterol, stigmadicine. Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, nor is this information meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease
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Organic Caigua
Caigua reduces
blood cholesterol levels, especially light cholesterol (LDL) that
is accumulated in arteries as lipoprotein components which
are determinative agents on arteriosclerosis processes. It is doubly
beneficial since it reduces LDL cholesterol (known as the bad type),
while it has been shown in various clinical studies that it increases
the HDL cholesterol (known as the good type). This double effect
makes caigua an ideal compound for helping to control more adequate
levels of blood cholesterol.
