Cayenne, from the Greek "to bite", comes from the family of hot peppers used for flavoring foods. The most important substance in cayenne is a group of chemicals collectively called capsaicin. Pure capsaicin is extremely toxic and would burn a hole right through you. Even one drop in 100,000 dilution can raise blisters on the skin. These powerful natural chemicals are new darlings of the pharmaceutical companies because capsaicinoid drugs are now being developed for a whole range of health problems.
Recent research has discovered a new receptor in our nervous system called the "capsaicin receptor." It allows capsaicin to act as a unique anti-inflammatory. The FDA has recently approved a capsaicin spray, which, when sprayed up the nose relieves headaches that are resistant to other anti-inflammatories such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Because it is made from a food, and not a drug, you can now buy various versions of this spray over-the-counter at your local pharmacy.
Capsaicin applied locally to the skin has anti-inflammatory effects at other sites in the body, remote from where it was applied. There are now creams available that contain capsaicin.
Obesity-induced inflammation contributes to the development of metabolic syndrome, which causes insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular disease. In one study, dietary capsaicin lowered fasting glucose, lowered fasting insulin, and markedly reduced the impairment of glucose tolerance in mice.
Capsaicin Promotes Fat Loss
Capsaicin has numerous other effects on weight control. By the 1990s, controlled studies were showing that red pepper in meals dramatically increases thermogenesis, and energy use. In the brain, it causes stimulation of catecholamines, and increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system that regulates heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. Simply, capsaicin energizes the body, but not in the same way as a stimulant, such as caffeine.
Red pepper also reduces appetite. A 2009 review of most of the controlled studies, concluded that capsaicinoids have been shown to reduce food intake, increase thermogenesis, and increase lipolysis (fat-use for fuel). The only adverse outcome is gastric discomfort, associated with taking too much too soon.
Probably the most important effect of capsaicin is that it activates an enzyme with a complicated name. In simple terms, it releases fat for use as muscle fuel, and then excretes the fat from the body. It also inhibits formation of new body fat and new fat cells. As a bonus, it also inhibits formation of cholesterol and triglycerides.
Use Capsaicin for Life
Using capsaicin is simple. Eat hot peppers in cooking and in meals out whenever you can. Change your diet to include hot salsas, curries, chilis and hot sauces. Make them a regular part of your food.
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