NATURAL HOME CURES · NOPAL SCIENCE
A closer look
at Nopal.
Amino acids, vitamins, minerals, fiber and plant chemistry.
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BOTANICAL PROFILE
One plant.
Many things to discover.
Explore the natural chemistry of Nopal through our growing collection of science articles.
THE NOPAL SCIENCE LIBRARY
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45 articles · Original references retained
Amino Acids A–L
10 ARTICLES
Amino acids
Alanine
Alanine is an amino acid. Amino acids are often called the building blocks of protein because the body joins them together to build and maintain muscles, skin and other tissues.
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Amino acids
Arginine
Arginine is an amino acid. Amino acids are often described as the building blocks of protein because the body joins them together to build and repair tissues.
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Amino acids
Aspartic Acid
Aspartic acid is an amino acid. Amino acids are often called the building blocks of protein because the body joins them together to build and maintain tissues throughout the body.
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Amino acids
Cystine, Cysteine
Cysteine is an amino acid. Like other amino acids, it can become part of proteins throughout the body.
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Amino acids
Glutamic Acid
Glutamic acid is an amino acid. Amino acids are often called the building blocks of protein because the body joins them together to build and maintain tissues throughout the body.
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Amino acids
Glycine
Glycine is an amino acid. Amino acids are often called the building blocks of protein because the body joins them together to build and maintain tissues throughout the body.
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Histidine
Explore an essential amino acid, its roles in proteins, histamine and hemoglobin, and its place in the living Nopal cactus.
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Amino acids
Isoleucine
Meet an essential amino acid in the BCAA family and discover its connection with food, muscles and the living cactus.
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Amino acids
Leucine
Explore leucine’s place in proteins and nutrient signaling, alongside the broader chemistry of the whole Nopal plant.
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Amino acids
Lysine
Discover an essential amino acid with connections to collagen, proteins and the natural composition of Nopal.
Read articleAmino Acids M–Z
8 ARTICLES
Amino acids
Methionine
An essential amino acid with sulfur at the center of its story, from proteins to the chemistry inside our cells.
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Amino acids
Phenylalanine
An essential amino acid, its everyday food sources and its place in the whole cactus.
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Amino acids
Proline
An amino acid with a distinctive shape and a close connection to collagen.
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Amino acids
Serine
An amino acid connecting proteins, cell membranes and the broader chemistry of Nopal.
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Amino acids
Threonine
An essential amino acid connecting proteins, mucins and the whole Nopal plant.
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Tryptophan
From proteins to serotonin, melatonin and niacin: following an essential amino acid.
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Tyrosine
An amino acid connecting proteins, chemical messengers, thyroid hormones and natural pigments.
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Valine
An essential amino acid, the BCAA family and the living chemistry of Nopal.
Read articlePhytonutrients
3 ARTICLES
Overview
The Phytonutrients of Nopal Cactus
Explore Nopal’s polyphenols, flavonoids, pigments and other naturally occurring plant compounds.
Read articlePhenolic acids
Caffeic Acid
The name caffeic acid immediately sounds as though it must have something to do with coffee or caffeine.
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Phenolic acids
Ferulic Acid
The name ferulic acid may sound unfamiliar, but it belongs to a remarkable family of natural compounds produced by plants.
Read articleRelated science: Nitric Oxide
Explore the signaling molecule the body can make from arginine, an amino acid studied in Nopal.
Nopal Minerals
10 ARTICLES
Minerals
Calcium
Most people hear the word calcium and immediately think of bones.
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Minerals
Copper
Copper is a mineral our bodies need in very small amounts, but those tiny amounts participate in some surprisingly important processes.
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Minerals
Iron
Explore iron’s roles in oxygen transport, muscles and cellular energy, and its place in a living Nopal cactus.
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Minerals
Magnesium
From cellular energy to chlorophyll, explore a mineral connecting people and plants.
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Minerals
Manganese
Discover how a trace mineral helps enzymes in our bodies and participates in the oxygen-releasing chemistry of plants.
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Phosphorus
From soil and roots to DNA, cell membranes and the energy of living cells.
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Potassium
How one mineral connects nerve signals, muscle function and the water inside a cactus.
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Minerals
Selenium
A trace mineral connecting human nutrition with soil, roots and the growing environment.
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Sodium
Beyond the salt shaker: sodium, electrical signals and the balance of water in living systems.
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Minerals
Zinc
A trace mineral with roles in enzymes, normal immune function and the biology of the living cactus.
Read articleNopal Vitamins
9 ARTICLES
Vitamins
Folate
Folate is an essential, water-soluble B vitamin, commonly known as vitamin B9.
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Niacin
Explore vitamin B3, its food sources and its connection with hundreds of cellular reactions.
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Vitamins
Pantothenic Acid
Vitamin B5, coenzyme A and the living chemistry of a mountain-grown cactus.
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Pyridoxine
Vitamin B6 connects amino acids, chemical messengers and the biology of red blood cells.
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Riboflavin
Vitamin B2, cellular energy and the story of a naturally yellow vitamin.
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Thiamine (B1)
Vitamin B1, cellular energy and a small coenzyme with an essential job.
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Vitamin A
Vision, plant pigments and the carotenoids that can become vitamin A.
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Vitamin C
Collagen, antioxidant chemistry and the importance of handling the whole cactus with care.
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Vitamins
Vitamin E
A family of fat-soluble compounds, cell membranes and the distinct chemistry of prickly pear seeds.
Read articleNopal Cactus Betalains
1 ARTICLE
Nopal Cactus Fiber
1 ARTICLE
Nopal Cactus Pectin
1 ARTICLE
Aztec Legends & Uses
1 ARTICLE
What Is Nopal
Start with the plant itself: Nopal cactus, prickly pear, and the differences between pads, fruit and preparations.
Read the Nopal overview →