Capsaicin

Other names: Capsicum frutescens, Capsicum annum, capsicum cream, cayenne pepper, chili pepper, hot pepper, paprika, pimiento, red pepper. Capsaicin is the active ingredient in chili peppers. It's what gives chili peppers their kick.
See also :

• Chili Pepper
• Paprika
• Cayenne

Special Precautions of Capsaicin

• Medicinal lotions and creams that contain capsicum extract are LIKELY SAFE for most adults when applied to the skin. The active chemical in capsicum, capsaicin, is approved by the FDA as an over-the-counter product. That is, it can be sold without a prescription.
• Side effects can include skin irritation, burning, and itching. Capsicum can also be extremely irritating to the eyes, nose, and throat. Don't use capsicum on sensitive skin or around the eyes.
• Capsicum extract is LIKELY SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth, short-term and in amounts typically found in food. Side effects can include stomach irritation and upset, sweating, flushing, and runny nose. It is POSSIBLY UNSAFE to take capsicum by mouth in large doses or for long periods of time. In rare cases, this can lead to more serious side effects like liver or kidney damage.
• Cancer : Conflicting epidemiologic data and basic research study results suggest that capsaicin can act as a carcinogen or as a cancer preventive agent. Long-term topical application of capsaicin increased skin carcinogenesis in mice treated with a tumor promoter.
• Capsicum extract is POSSIBLY SAFE when used in the nose. No serious side effects have been reported, but application in the nose can be very painful. Nasal application can cause burning pain, sneezing, watery eyes, and runny nose. These side effects tend to decrease and go away after 5 or more days of repeated use.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Capsicum is LIKELY SAFE when applied to the skin during pregnancy. But not enough is known about its safety when taken by mouth. Stay on the safe side and don’t use capsicum if you are pregnant.
• If you are breast-feeding, using capsicum on your skin is LIKELY SAFE. But it is POSSIBLY UNSAFE for your baby if you take capsicum by mouth. Skin problems (dermatitis) have been reported in breast-fed infants when mothers eat foods heavily spiced with capsicum peppers.
• Children: Applying capsicum to the skin of children under two years of age is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Not enough is known about the safety of giving capsicum to children by mouth. Don’t do it.
• Damaged or broken skin: Don’t use capsicum on damaged or broken skin.
• Surgery: Capsicum might increase bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using capsicum at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

The benefits of Capsaicin are

• Pain Management : Capsaicin alleviates pain by wearing down the pain messangers in an injured area. Specifically, when capsaicin is applied to an inflamed or injured area, it stimulates a pain messager called substance P. Each time the capsaicin is applied, more substance P is released until no more is available and the nervous system no longer recognizes the pain in the affected area, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The pain relief is temporary and must be repeatedly applied.
• Indigestion Treatment : Capsaicin's pain treatment properties can also be applied internally to treat digestive disorders. According to the University of Pittsburg Medical Center, oral consumption of capsaicin reduces the pain associated with indigestion. The compound depletes substance P in the stomach, and temporarily relieves the burning sensation that characterizes dyspepsia.
• Cancer : when consumed with 6-gingerol, it can in fact inhibit the growth of tumors.
• Prostate Cancer : Capsaicin prevents the replication of prostate cancer cells, according to a 2006 study published in "Cancer Research" led by Akio Mori of the University of California at Los Angeles School of Medicine. Prostate cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States. The disease usually affects older men. In 2010, there were 217,730 new prostate cancer cases and 32,050 deaths, according to the National Cancer Institute.
• Capsaicin may also prevent stomach ulcers caused by drugs used to treat inflammation, such as aspirin.
• boosts metabolism : Capsaicin contains properties that stimulate energy releasing by consuming three percent more calories, especially when taken before exercising. Also, due to faster lipid metabolism, you will consume more calories even while at resting state, like while sleeping.
• suppresses the appetite : This compound radically affects the production of the thyroid hormone that controls adrenaline and dopamine - hormones that regulate appetite. By adding hot peppers to every meal, you are cutting your appetite by more than half, just enough for you to eat healthily but not overeat.
• increases energy and alertness : Animal testing observed increased energy and alertness levels on test subjects due to capaicin's thermogenic effect.
• Weight Loss : capsaicin reduces fat production and cuts hunger.
• Cholesterol : reduces levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol.
• regulates carbohydrate processing : In a study conducted by the University of Maryland Medical Center, it was concluded that capsaicin can control carbohydrate breakdown for more efficient calorie consumption and energy production. It is for this reason that further clinical studies are being conducted toward capsaicin's possible treating function against obesity.
• improves fat oxidation : Studies have proven that sufficient amounts of capsaicin can stop the accumulation of fat in the liver by increasing the rate of breaking down lipids and converting them to energy.
• improves stamina : According to clinical findings, taking capsaicin-rich foods helps in lasting longer during heavy workouts and aids in faster recovery after every strenuous physical activity. This is possible by increasing the body's oxygen intake by up to 7.5 percent, making the lungs stronger and oxygen absorption by the blood higher.
• Capsaicin also lowered total cholesterol levels. The spicy compound also helped break down cholesterol so the body could turn it into waste.
• Vlockes a gene that makes arteries contract. The blockage allows more blood to flow through the blood vessels.
• Capsaicin's cuts the size of deposits that were already formed in blood vessels. These deposits can narrow arteries, which can lead to heart attack or stroke.
• capsaicin blocks a gene that produces cyclooxygenase-2, a substance that affects the muscles around blood vessels and prohibits blood flow.
• protects the cells from damages : A piece of hot pepper contains an overwhelming amount of phytochemicals in the forms of carotenoids and flavonoids - two powerful antioxidants that show fighting properties against free radicals, the main causes of cancer.
• supplies vitamins : Hot pepper is a rich source of vitamins A and C that can help you fight diseases and strengthen your immune system. These vitamins also work as very potent antioxidants that can fight the signs of aging.
• cuts off binging habit : Spicy flavor enhancers naturally make eating less enjoyable because of their numbing effect to the tongue. While hotness works great in small quantities, not many people can eat spicy foods in large amounts.