Do Cayenne Pepper Diet Pills Really Work for Fat Loss? [Research Review]

Are cayenne pepper diet pills effective for weight loss and reducing hunger cravings?

Red cayenne and hot chili peppers have been associated with certain anti-obesity effects in research studies and may influence energy metabolism as well as appetite.

Population data also shows that cultures that consume more spicy foods tend to have better metabolic health profiles compared to other cultures.

Cayenne pepper extract supplements are sometimes promoted to help people lose weight, get in shape and eat a healthier diet. People also use lemon and cayenne powder cleanses to kick-start a fat loss program.

While there is some anecdotal evidence of efficacy, there have not been any studies examining whether this supplement works for weight loss or not. Research is needed to determine whether cayenne diet pills can be used to achieve or maintain a healthy body weight.

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

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Rated Possibly Safe

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Cayenne Pepper Diet Pill Review

Increasing dietary consumption of cayenne or Capsicum peppers is purported to promote weight loss by boosting metabolism and stimulating the body to burn more stored fat and glucose (blood sugar).

Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin; a bioactive alkaloid that binds to and activates TRPV1 receptors in cells throughout the body.

TRPV1 stands for the transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1. It is sometimes referred to as the capsaicin receptor or the vanilloid receptor 1.

A 2015 research review reported that small amounts of capsaicin are able to activate TRPV1 receptors systemically. TRPV1 receptors are found in brain, spinal cord, muscle, blood vessel, liver, fat and other cell types.

These receptors appear to be involved in temperature detection and regulation. When activated by capsaicin, a diverse array of physiological effects is reported to occur.

Researchers believe that capsaicin may influence body weight and fat metabolism by activating TRPV1 receptors. Some of the responses associated with activation of these receptors include changes in:

• Thermogenesis;
• Adipogenesis;
• Fat oxidation;
• Metabolism;
• Appetite;

To date, it has not been shown that capsaicin can directly stimulate weight loss or prevent weight gain. More research is required to understand if and how capsaicin can support weight loss and/or weight management in humans.

Cayenne Pills for Appetite Suppression

Research shows that administering capsaicin can reduce food intake in mice, which may lead to a calorie deficit that supports weight loss.

In one study, mice on a high fat diet and a normal control diet both decreased how much they ate after being given an oral capsaicin supplement. The effect only persisted for ten days.

In 2014, a randomized crossover study involving 15 adult subjects was conducted by Maastricht University in the Netherlands.

Conclusions from this study reported, “In energy balance, addition of capsaicin to the diet increases satiety and fullness, and tends to prevent overeating when food intake is ad libitum. After dinner, capsaicin prevents the effects of the negative energy balance on desire to eat.” [1]

Other studies have found decreases in self-reported appetite among people consuming red peppers. This may be linked to stimulation of beta-adrenergic receptors in the Central Nervous System.

Another study involving Japanese male volunteers found that taking 750mg of capsaicin mixed into a soup at lunchtime reduced their energy intake and changed their macronutrient intake by decreasing the amount of fat they consumed.

The study author concluded, “The present results indicate that the maximum tolerable dose is necessary to have a suppressive effect of red pepper on fat intake. The main site of the action of red pepper is not in the mouth.”

More studies are needed to understand how taking a cayenne pepper diet pill, or otherwise increasing capsaicin intake, can affect appetite and/or ab libitum eating in humans.

Cayenne Pepper Diet Pills and Thermogenesis

Thermogenesis refers to the natural production of heat within our bodies. In mammals, besides shivering, intrinsic heat can only be produced by metabolizing energy (calories).

If the rate of thermogenic activity increases, this means that the body is utilizing more stored energy to convert into heat. In other words, the more calories you burn, the more heat your body gives off.

Capsaicin and Capsiate from chili pepper extract have been shown to increase thermogenesis by stimulating neurons in the brain with VR1 receptor. This effect may be mediated by beta-adrenergic receptors.

According to a 2015 research study from Japan, “Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a site of sympathetically activated adaptive nonshivering thermogenesis, thereby being involved in the regulation of energy balance and body fatness.” [2]

Researchers believe that capsaicin activates BAT much like green tea catechins do. Because of this, BAT activation has become a “promising target for combating obesity and related metabolic disorders in humans.”. [2]

Research continues to explore how capsaicin may activate BAT or increase thermogenesisand metabolic rate in humans.

Cayenne Pepper Diet Pills and Adipogenesis

Another way that cayenne may influence body weight in humans is by affecting cells that store fat (lipid) molecules. Adipocytes are specialized cells which are chiefly associated with fat storage.

ScienceDirect states that, “Adipogenesis is the process during which fibroblast like preadipocytes developed into mature adipocytes.”

Adipocytes are the primary constituents of adipose (fat) tissue throughout the body. They function to regulate energy balance by storing fat during energy excess, and burning it during periods of energy scarcity.

These fat-storing cells are not merely passive storage units but perform an active role in the endocrine system and secrete hormones that influence metabolism, appetite and glucose distribution.

Adipocytes also secrete various protein and lipid factors which impact hunger, immune function, glucose uptake, vascular (blood vessel) health and sensitivity to insulin.

Adipocytes are considered to be an endocrine organ that regulates metabolism in other tissues. [3]

One of the ways that consuming capsaicin may influence adipocytes is by preventing the development of new fat storage cells.

Research shows that, “Activation of the transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) channels by capsaicin prevents adipogenesis.”.[4]

By inhibiting adipogenesis, preadipocytes do not mature into fully-functional adipocytes and are not able to store as much fat.

More research is needed to better understand how capsaicin may influence adipogenesis in humans and whether this will impact body weight or fat composition.

Fat Oxidation

Many sources claim that consuming cayenne pepper helps your body burn more fat. Research in both rats and humans does show that capsaicin can increase the rate of fat oxidation.

When fat is burned in cells, it means that fatty acids are being converted into the energy molecules ATP and NADH.

Cells can either use glucose or fats as fuel for energy. By increasing the rate at which fat is burned for fuel, it may be possible to influence factors related to weight regulation.

Fat oxidation is sometimes used in research to refer to the percentage of calories from fat that are burned for energy relative to carbohydrate (glucose or blood sugar) calories.

In rat studies, 10mg/kg bodyweight of capsaicin administered orally was shown to increase the rate of fat oxidation. This effect was attributed to an increase in adrenaline being released from the adrenal glands due to TRPV1 activation.

In a human study, healthy untrained men were given 150 mg capsaicin doses one hour before performing low-intensity exercise.

Results included increasing the breakdown of stored fats into fatty acids (lipolysis). This occurred without causing any adverse effects to the cardiovascular system. [5]

More research is needed to understand if and how cayenne pepper diet pills can affect fat oxidation rates in humans. Even if capsaicin increases the relative rate of fat oxidation, this may not necessarily translate to weight loss unless other requirements are met.

Additional Health Benefits

Taking a cayenne pepper diet pill might support weight loss and inhibit weight regain, which could have a number of long-term health benefits in people who are able to maintain a healthy weight.

Cayenne is also associated with other health benefits related to cardiometabolic function and was long used in traditional medicine to stimulate greater circulation.

According to a 2016 research review, capsaicin activation of TRPV1 may also influence the following:

• Improve obesity, diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure);
• Preserve the function of cardiometabolic organs;
• Play a key role in metabolic homeostasis;
• Improve cardiovascular function;

However, the FDA has not approved cayenne as a drug for the prevention or treatment of any of these conditions. Some preliminary research suggests benefits for hyperlipidemia, but more research is needed to make any conclusive determinations of efficacy.

In population studies, cultures that consume more spicy foods tend to have decreased risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and obesity. [6]

However, population studies only show associations and do not demonstrate causal relationships. Double-blind placebo-controlled studies are required to demonstrate cause-and-effect.

Many people find the pungent, hot taste of cayenne to be difficult to tolerate and experience gastrointestinal side effects when eating spicy peppers. Oral supplements can be used to increase intake of capsaicin without the mouth and tongue burn of chili peppers.

Cayenne pepper diet pills are generally formulated to provide between 40,000 to 100,000 H.U. of capsaicin per serving. Some are designed to protect the mouth, esophagus and stomach from adverse reactions.

Cayenne extract is sometimes combined with other ingredients like Green Tea Extract, Apple Cider Vinegar, Turmeric, and Dandelion Root Extract to support a weight loss diet.

If you are trying to lose weight, supplements and diet pills should be used as one part of a comprehensive weight loss program. Changes in portion size, food intake and activity levels are important to make long-lasting differences in body composition.

Many users experience no adverse effects from using chili pepper extract pills or increasing their consumption red cayenne peppers. Some individuals who are sensitive to capsaicin may experience allergic reactions, sweating, flushing, increased heart rate and stomach upset

This supplement can interact with certain medications and health conditions. You should ask your doctor about the benefits and safety of taking a cayenne pepper diet pill before starting to use this product.

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