Can Capsinoids Help You Lose Weight?

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Dr.Kristie Leong
Is there a natural way to boost fat burning? The answer doesn’t die with dangerous diet pills and supplements that elevate the heart rate, blood pressure, and increase the risk of stroke. Could there a safe, all-natural way to boost fat metabolism? Some studies show that green tea extract slightly boosts fat burning. Now, a new study shows that compounds found in sweet peppers called capsinoids may also boost fat metabolism.


The Thermogenic Effects of Capsinoids

Many people confuse capsinoids with an ingredient in hot peppers called capsaicin - another compound that has metabolism boosting potential. Capsaicin is the ingredient that gives hot peppers their kick. Unlike capsaicin, capsinoids are found in sweet peppers and lack the tongue-burning heat of capsaicin.

Capsinoids to Boost Fat Metabolism

In a study published in the journal Nutrition and Metabolism, researchers looked at the thermogenic effects of capsinoids in sweet peppers. To do this, they gave twelve young men either capsinoids or a placebo and measured the effect it had on fat metabolism both at rest and after ninety minutes of moderate- intensity exercise.

The results? The men who took capsinoids had twenty percent greater energy expenditure at rest than men who took a placebo. The researchers also found lower levels of fatty acids in their blood stream, suggesting that the capsinoid group used more fat for fuel. They found thermogenic effects at rest - no further increase in fat burning with exercise.

How Do Capsinoids Boost Fat Burning?

Capsinoids boost levels of norepinephrine in the blood stream, a fat-burning hormone that breaks down fat stores when it binds to receptors on fat cells. Norepinephrine is a hormone that increases with exercise to help break down fat for the body to use as fuel. This probably accounts for much of its fat-burning capabilities. Why didn’t capsinoids further boost fat burning with exercise? Probably because he body is already producing large amounts of norepinephrine to fuel muscle movement – and the receptors are saturated. Thus, capsinoids are most important for boosting fat metabolism at rest.

Capsinoids to Boost Fat Metabolism: The Bottom Line?

Capsinoids have a favorable side effect profile, and have no serious side effects. Some companies have started to carry them in supplement form, but they’re expensive. Unfortunately, its unlikely eating sweet peppers would have the same benefits as the supplement since you’d need to eat too many peppers. This is one supplement that could offer some benefit without significant side effects. It’ll be interesting to see what future studies show.

References:

Nutraingredients.com. "Sweet pepper compounds show weight management power"

The copyright of the health article, "Can Capsinoids Help You Lose Weight?," in "Interesting Health Articles" is owned by Dr.Kristie Leong M.D. Permission to republish this article in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

If you have time and are interested then check out  If I am So Smart, Why Can't I Lose Weight .
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