Capsicum Extract Supplement Scoville Heat Units, Effects & Dangers

Capsicum extract supplements are purported to have benefits for improving pain symptoms, normal blood lipid levels, digestion, inflammation the common cold and headaches.

Topical use of products containing Capsicum has also been shown to relieve chronic pain from
rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriasis, and neuralgias. It has been used to temporarily improve back pain and joint tenderness.

Capsicum in the botanical genus which is comprised of various cultivars of chili peppers, such as Capsicum annuum and Capsicum frutescens. It is more commonly known as cayenne pepper.

Extracts from chili peppers contain bioactive compounds known as capsaicinoids, primarily capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin. Capsaicin is the substance that causes chilis to have a hot taste and it is also believed to possess certain medicinal properties.

Researchers are studying capsaicin, and other plant chemicals in chili peppers, for effects on cardiovascular disease, weight loss, diabetes, cancer and more.

Capsaicin

Pepper Extract

Joints

Appetite Control

Vitality

How It Works:

• Supports healthy digestion & blood flow
• Promotes joint function & pain relief
• Promotes appetite control & weight loss

Dosage:

Between 1000 - 2000 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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Capsicum Extracts and Scoville Units

When shopping for capsicum extract oral supplements, you will often see the number of “Heat Units” listed on the product ingredients in addition to the dosage.

The Scoville scale is used to determine the amount of spicy heat contained in foods. It measures Scoville heat units (SHU). In chili peppers, SHU is used as a measure of capsaicin concentration.

For instance, jalapeno peppers score about 4000 SHU on the Scoville scale, while hotter habanero peppers score as high as 350,000 SHU.

The world’s hottest chili pepper, the Carolina Reaper red habanero, scores over 2 million on the Scoville scale.

Capsicum extract supplements typically provide 40,000 heat units, although some stronger products advertise 70,000 heat units standardized to 0.45% capcaisin.

According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, research studies have examined the effects of diets containing the equivalent of 53,800-80,000 Scoville heat units, which equates to 0.3-10g capsicum pepper extract.

Higher amounts of heat units are not always a sign of better quality products. The dosage, product formulation and presence of other ingredients can also affect the potency of these supplements.

Capsicum Extract Health Benefits

Research suggests that consumption of capsicum peppers in the form of food or as dietary supplements can promote a wide range of health benefits.

This pepper has been shown to increase the metabolic rate, support cardiovascular health and circulation, reduce digestive discomfort and support health weight management.

According to Nature’s Way, “Cayenne (Capsicum Annuum) has been traditionally used for poor circulation, cold extremities, weak nerve force, indigestion, flatulence, expels mucous, and hoarseness.”

Capsicum works because it contains capsaicin, which has been shown to exhibit analgesic (pain relieving) effects, antibacterial effects, anti-inflammatory effects, anti-oxidant effects and more.

In research studies, it has been found to improve insulin signalling and decrease blood glucose levels. It was also shown in one in vitro study to increase the expression of androgen (testosterone) receptors.

Recent research has concluded that capsaicin is able to activate TRPV1 receptors throughout the body. TRPV1 stands for transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1.

Most of the health benefits of capsicum peppers being explored stem from their ability to activate these receptors.

TRPV1 is expressed in various tissues in the body. For instance, it is found in liver cells (hepatocytes), mast cells, T cells, fibroblasts, epithelial cells, adipocytes (fat storage cells) and smooth muscle cells. TRPV1 receptors are also located in astrocytes and neurons inside the brain and spinal column.

A 2015 clinical review on capsaicin concluded that “a sufficiently high oral intake of capsaicin can induce systemic activation of TRPV1.” Activation of TRPV1 can lead to a diverse array of biological effects.

Some of these effects may include slowing the slowed the oxidation of fats like cholesterol and triglycerides in human subjects. This can support arterial health and may reduce the build-up of harmful plaques in the blood.

It also helps to dissolve fibrin, a non-digestible protein mesh that inhibits the flow of blood to developing blood clots.

Many people also use capsaicin supplement products to heal their skin, regrow hair, reduce inflammation and improve digestion.

Research continues to explore various possible health benefits of chili peppers in humans. While some of the benefits have been demonstrated in multiple human research studies, others require more research to substantiate claims made.

Capsicum Extract for Weight Loss

The use of capsicum extract supplements for obesity and to lose weight is supported by some research. This ingredient might be helpful for preventing and/or reversing weight gain, although more study is required to know for sure.

Inclusion of this ingredient in foods has been associated with reduced appetite and decreased food intake at mealtime. It may also promote the burning of fat in the body.

Recent research shows that TRPV1 activation causes certain effects which increase thermogenesis. Thermogenesis is the production of heat within the body, required to maintain ea stable core body temperature.

In humans, thermogenesis is normally the result of digesting foods. Increased thermogenesis is associated with weight loss because it results from burning calories.

Humans have white and brown fat (adipose) tissue. In general, white fat is used to store energy while brown fat is burned for thermogenesis.

By upregulating the “browning” of white adipose tissue via TRPV1 activation, capsaicin might prove to be a novel therapy for obesity and obesity-related disorders.

No large-scale human studies have directly addressed the effects of capsaicin on weight loss, fat mass or thermogenesis. More studies are needed to determine weight loss efficacy in humans.

Capsicum Extract for Cancer

There has been significant investigation into the potential anti-cancer effects of this spice, although studies are preliminary so far.

Capsicum extract was recently shown to induce normal cell death (apoptosis) in various malignant cell lines. Some of these include adenocarcinoma of the colon, hepatocellular carcinoma – and breast, prostate and pancreatic cancer.

These apoptotic effects are believed to occur via increased intracellular calcium, as well as decreased potentials for mitochondrial membrane transition.

Capsaicin also activates the protein complex NFkappaB which is important for DNA transcription, cytokine synthesis and cell survival. Capsaicin also demonstrates in-vivo antitumor activities in mice.

Currently, it is not fully understood how capsaicin works to induce apoptosis, or any other anticancer activities. Significantly more research will be required to determine how capsaicin affects cancer in humans.

This supplement is not approved by the FDA as a drug for the treatment or prevention of cancer in humans. Consult with your doctor before considering taking this supplement if you have been diagnosed with cancer or are looking for ways to reduce your risk factors.

Capsicum Extract Patches

Capsicum extract patches or plasters are used for temporary relief from pain, especially that stemming from arthritis, muscle aches and backaches. These patches are placed on the skin in the area that is producing the pain.

These topically-applied patches normally contain other ingredients to accentuate the analgesic benefits of capsaicin, commonly including camphor and/or menthol.

Creams are another option that may be more cost-effective compared to patches. Research shows that creams containing 0.25-0.75% capsaicin extract can temporarily relieve pain related to a number of conditions.

The use of capsicum in topical preparations is FDA approved for pain relief in conditions such as shingles, psoriasis, osteoarthritis, diabetic neuropathy and neuralgias.

Capsicum Extract Side Effects

Capsicum peppers have long been used as culinary ingredients and are rated Likely Safe according to NMCD when used in amounts that are typically found in foods.

As dietary supplements, they are rated Possibly Safe when used orally at appropriate dosages for short-term periods. Capsicum extract pills are well tolerated by most people who consume them, but some people do experience adverse effecs.

Capsicum peppers can cause gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, diarrhea, gas and bloating when taken orally. Some people opt for products like Nature’s Way CapsiCool® Cayenne or Solaray Extra Hot Cool Cayenne®, which are formulated to protect the stomach from potential negative effects.

Do not take high dosages of capsicum supplements for long periods of time. This could result in negative effects on the liver or kidney function.

Used topically, this product can cause itching, burning and stinging at application sites. If taken as a nasal spay, it is considered safe when used daily or every other day for 14 days at a time.

Be careful combining capsicum peppers with herbal supplements including danshen, fenugreek, ginger, ginseng and angelica. These and some other herbs can increase the risk of bleeding.

Ask your doctor about using capsaicin-containing peppers with anticoagulant, antiplatelet, antidiabetic and/or ACE inhibitor medications. Also, seek medical advice about capsicum extract benefits it you are pregnant or nursing – or if you have any serious health condition.

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