Capsaicin and Weight Loss

Scientists are always seeking the next big discovery in weight loss.  Chile peppers have an active compound called capsaicin, which may have multiple benefits for weight loss and hypothermia.  Below is a segment of an article from a health magazine describing what has been discovered thus far.

How Chile Peppers Benefit Weight Loss

New research has shown evidence that the "burn" in peppers when you eat them actually contributes to weight loss. The funny thing is, we normally aren't too keen on ingesting a lot of capsaicin with the intention of contributing to our weight management. It burns our mouth, in essence, if we ingest too much of it. You can understand why a non-burning version of capsaicin called dihydrocapsiate (DCT), which could very well have the same benefits of peppers but without the burn, has been well received. A study at the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition monitored the weight loss potential of DCT in 34 men and women willing to consume a very low-calorie liquid meal replacement product for 28 days. Directed by the professor of Medicine and Public Health, David Heber, researchers then randomly provided several subjects with empty placebo pills or DCT supplements containing two dosage levels. At the beginning and end of the study, an assessment of body weight and fat had been recorded for data determining energy expenditure (heat production) in each subject after consuming one serving of the test meal. The resulting data staggered the Experimental Biology 2010 Meeting in Anaheim, California, where the researchers presented their information. Indisputable data showed energy expenditure almost doubled in those participants consuming DCT versus those supplied with placebo pills. The resulting theory stands pretty firm: by increasing food-induced heat production, peppers can actually help with weight loss. This was the first study done to examine the benefits of DCT. Bottom line? Peppers may have that kick, but that kick will help move you down the path to a healthy weight.

How Chile Peppers Fight Fat

Appearing in ACS' monthly Journal of Proteome Research, a study documented by Jong Won Yun and colleagues observed the effects of capsaicin in lab rats. They found empirical evidence of an 8% weight loss in capsaicin-treated rats, as well as an apparent presence of at least 20 altered key proteins normally found in fat. The final theory is this: capsaicin actually alters certain proteins in fat to reduce their size, thereby contributing directly to weight loss. Scientists are virtually calling capsaicin the 'anti-obesity compound'. Similar results were found in a study conducted by Gow-Chin Yen and Chin-Lin Hsu and reported in the March 21 issue of the ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. More elaboration on how capsaicin works to reduce fat cells explained the process of apoptosis, a mechanism in which cells self-destruct due to capsaicin's biochemical signal. Effectively, fat cells stop growing because of peppers!

Researchers are now working on medication to turn this compound into something more easily ingested than a hot pepper.  In fact, they say that capsaicin may someday replace gastric bypass for weight loss.  Wouldn't that be nice?

Mother always told you to eat your vegetables, but I don't think she was talking about chile peppers.  Now add them to the list of vegetables that may help control weight and fat cell production.  How much do you need to take to make a difference?  I have no idea, but I'm sure researchers are working on that right now, and as soon as I see any printed information, I will let you know.