Difference between revisions of "Capsaicin"

Revision as of 02:28, 15 June 2012

Other names: Capsicum frutescens, Capsicum annum, capsicum cream, cayenne pepper, chili pepper, hot pepper, paprika, pimiento, red pepper. Capsaicin (pronounced cap-SAY-sin) is the active ingredient in chili peppers. It's what gives chili peppers their kick.

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.
• 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

• Destroys Cancer Cells : 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.
• 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.
• Capsaicin may also prevent stomach ulcers caused by drugs used to treat inflammation, such as aspirin.
• Weight Loss : capsaicin reduces fat production and cuts hunger.
• capsaicin reduces levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol.
• Capsaicin also lowered total cholesterol levels. The spicy compound also helped break down cholesterol so the body could turn it into waste.
• The spicy compound also blocked 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.