Capsaicin to fight disease and lose weight
[Article updated: May 2020]
Do you like the spicy flavor of peppers? Then you are in luck, because capsaicin can help you prevent cancer, fight diabetes, relieve pain, and even lose weight.
So let's find out now how this natural element works and what are the medicinal properties it contains.
What is capsaicin?
It is found in all parts of the pepper except the seed.
Its highest concentration is found in the inner wall where the seeds are attached.
It has been called a natural way and proven to help lose weight, fight cancer and even chronic pain.
It works by binding to a vanilloid receptor known as TRPV1.
The latter is responsible for signaling any sensation of heat as is the case when the body's cells are physically burned or injured.
Once the capsaicin molecule binds to the TRPV1 receptor, the brain receives a signal that a scorching or hot event has occurred.
It therefore reacts by causing a mild inflammatory reaction intended to repair the affected cells.
It is through this reaction that many of the benefits of capsaicin occur.
History of capsaicin
Chili peppers have been around for a long time, but the "spicy" component of capsaicin was not isolated until 1846, when a man named JC Thresh identified it and gave it that name. </ p >
Before that date, exactly in 1819, Christian Friedrich Bucholz extracted an impure form of this compound. He gave it the name "capsicim," which is the old name for capsaicin, in reference to the Capsicum from which it was taken.
A century after its discovery, its chemical structure was recorded in 1919 by E.K. Nelson and was created in synthetic form in 1930 by E. Spath and F.S. Chéri.
An interesting feature of capsaicin seems to be that this nutrient arose out of an evolving need to protect peppers.
This is because capsaicin is a deterrent to certain animals and mammals which destroy the seeds of the plant, with the exception of birds which are immune to it.
Because they are not disturbed by the heat of the plant, the birds swallow the seeds whole thus helping to perpetuate its growth [ 1 ].
The presence of capsaicin in hot peppers is determined by their level of "heat" which is measured according to the Scoville scale (SHU) which identifies different peppers.
For example, bell pepper is between 0 and 100 on the Scoville scale, cayenne pepper between 30,000 and 50,000, piperine between 100,000 and 160,000, and Habanero pepper ranks between 100,000 and 350,000 [ 2 ].
Top 5 Health Benefits of Capsaicin
Capsaicin has many health benefits. Here are a few:
- 1. Contributes to the treatment of many cancers
The anticancer activity of capsaicin has been scientifically demonstrated.
This substance can in fact fight against many cancers, especially breast and prostate cancer.
A study in Japan attempted to assess the possible chemopreventive effects of compounds derived from spices on gastritis induced by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).
The results obtained suggest that capsaicin and piperine have anti-inflammatory effects on gastritis induced by H. pylori in gerbils independent of direct antibacterial effects and therefore may have potential for use in chemoprevention of carcinogenesis gastric associated with H. pylori [ 3 ].
Another study at the College of Pharmacy , Seoul National University , Seoul, South Korea, has shown that capsaicin causes disruption of growth dependent on dose in breast cancer stem cells and inhibits translocation of the notch intracellular membrane domain (NICD) in the nucleus [ 4 ].
- 2. Promotes and contributes to weight loss
Research has found that eating spicy foods can reduce body weight, speed up metabolism, help burn fat, and suppress appetite in animals.
Indeed, a study carried out by a group of researchers from Research Institute of Atherosclerotic Disease , Xi'an Jiaotong University School of Medicine , has shown that the contribution Capsaicin May Prevent Diet-Induced Obesity [ 5 ].
Consuming capsaicin also improves athletic performance and overall physical endurance.
- 3. Relieves pain
A study attempted to investigate the analgesic effects of capsaicin and its clinical applicability in the treatment of pain.
In particular, researchers took stock of its other clinical therapeutic uses and its implications in diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, airway disease, itching, gastric disorders and urological [ 6 ].
In the figure below, the researchers have summarized the current knowledge on disease-related capsaicin activities.
The green arrow indicates diseases in which capsaicin shows beneficial effects, and therefore could be useful as a treatment.
Blue indicates diseases in which the effect of capsaicin is still controversial and the therapeutic effect of capsaicin and TRPV1 agonists and antagonists require further study.
And the red indicates that capsaicin could play a role in prevention or cancer.
- 4. Help in managing diabetes
A study attempted to determine the effect of capsaicin supplementation on blood sugar, lipid metabolism and pregnancy outcomes in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
The researchers concluded that chili supplementation containing capsaicin regularly improves postprandial hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia as well as fasting lipid metabolic disorders
in women with GDM, and decreases the incidence of gestational-age newborns [ 7 ].
On the other hand, in patients with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy, repeat treatment of 8% capsaicin patch has reduced this condition [ 8 ].
- 5. Treats psoriasis
Researchers from the Department of Dermatolog, University of Michigan Medical School , evaluated the safety and efficacy of topical capsaicin in patients with itchy psoriasis.
They concluded that topically applied capsaicin effectively treats pruritic psoriasis, a finding that supports the role of substance P - an undecapeptide neurotransmitter implicated in the pathophysiology of psoriasis and pruritus - in this disorder [ 9 ].
How to use capsaicin?
The easiest way to get capsaicin into your diet is to eat foods that contain it, including all varieties of peppers.
If you are not used to eating spicy foods, it is important to take it gradually and start with mild varieties that are not too hot.
You can also buy capsaicin as a supplement or as a cream.
The latter form is ideal for the treatment of psoriasis, as well as certain benefits like relieving pain or treating cluster headaches and relieving joint and muscle pain.
Examples of capsaicin supplements
There are many capsaicin supplements on the market. Here are some examples of known products:
- 1. Capsiplex
This Natural Weight Loss Supplement increases energy, helps moderate appetite, supports metabolism, induces heat and induces lipolysis.
Capsiplex was created using OmniBead , a technology that delivers the thermogenic power of hot red peppers without the scorching effect that goes with it.
Capsiplex is highly concentrated and effective and does not irritate the oral and gastric tract. The 1-month treatment costs € 34.95.
- 2. Capsimax
Capsimax from Abs is a supplement extracted from chili pepper (capsicum) which acts as a powerful fat-burning and energy-burning thermogen.
It increases energy expenditure and promotes weight loss in both men and women.
Capsimax from Abs stimulates the "digestion" of carbohydrates (sugars) in runners at rest and during exercise. It also increases fat oxidation and fat burning necessary for weight loss, and reduces calorie intake.
This product has received the 2009 Award for Scientific Excellence from SupplySide West in the United States. The 1-month treatment costs € 29.
- 3. Chili Burn
Chili Burn ™ from New Nordic is a chili pepper metabolism booster and fat burner packaged in capsule form.
The result of 7 years of research and manufacturing, Chili Burn ™ helps burn calories. It is composed of capsaicin (chili) from green tea, chromium and vitamins B6 and B12.
The 1-month treatment costs € 28.95.
Precautions for the use of capsaicin
Due to its pain inducing effect, capsaicin should be consumed with caution.
Usually, the amount in common foods is safe to consume, but sometimes it can cause stomach pain or heartburn, nausea, diarrhea and other digestive problems.
In supplement form, it is recommended not to exceed 3g per day.
Oral consumption of capsaicin may cause acid reflux in some people.
If you are one of those people and regularly experience indigestion after eating spicy foods, then you should avoid consuming them.
In rare cases, capsaicin can cause allergic reactions in some people.
Capsaicin works like an alkaloid. So if you experience symptoms such as joint pain, redness of the skin, digestive problems, or a noticeable inflammatory reaction, you may be allergic to this class of foods.