Comments on: Dr. needs to do some research http://www.hotsauceblog.com/hotsaucearchives/dr-needs-to-do-some-research/ Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:33:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: jessica rojas http://www.hotsauceblog.com/hotsaucearchives/dr-needs-to-do-some-research/#comment-6014 jessica rojas Wed, 14 Sep 2005 22:05:43 +0000 http://www.hotsauceblog.com/?p=503#comment-6014 would like to know is ti true that there is a trigger on the brain that is common between heroin addicts and hot peppers lovers? would like to know is ti true that there is a trigger on the brain that is common between heroin addicts and hot peppers lovers?

]]> By: Joe L. http://www.hotsauceblog.com/hotsaucearchives/dr-needs-to-do-some-research/#comment-5815 Joe L. Wed, 14 Sep 2005 00:59:26 +0000 http://www.hotsauceblog.com/?p=503#comment-5815 I'd be interested to see those studies. Honestly, I haven't done any searches through Medline or any other medical search engine to try and find the studies, so perhaps they ARE out there somewhere. As long as the studies use good statistical methods and design, I know I'd pay attention to it. Heck, as a doctor myself, it would give me more ammo to refer people to the beneficial uses of capsaicin and capsaicin-infused foods & products. <em> <strong>Joe - Here's a few new ones I've come across, though these are not the original ones I was thinking of: <a href="http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/171_11_061299/egger/egger.html">The effectiveness of popular, non-prescription weight loss supplements</a> <a href="http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cabi/bjn/2003/00000090/00000003/art00021"> Effect of capsaicin on substrate oxidation and weight maintenance after modest body-weight loss in human subjects</a></strong></em> I’d be interested to see those studies. Honestly, I haven’t done any searches through Medline or any other medical search engine to try and find the studies, so perhaps they ARE out there somewhere. As long as the studies use good statistical methods and design, I know I’d pay attention to it. Heck, as a doctor myself, it would give me more ammo to refer people to the beneficial uses of capsaicin and capsaicin-infused foods & products.

Joe - Here’s a few new ones I’ve come across, though these are not the original ones I was thinking of:
The effectiveness of popular, non-prescription weight loss supplements
Effect of capsaicin on substrate oxidation and weight maintenance after modest body-weight loss in human subjects

]]> By: Joe L. http://www.hotsauceblog.com/hotsaucearchives/dr-needs-to-do-some-research/#comment-5798 Joe L. Tue, 13 Sep 2005 13:52:09 +0000 http://www.hotsauceblog.com/?p=503#comment-5798 Factually speaking, the so-called "doctor" is correct. There is no published research (that I know of) or evidence-based medicine that confirms the nutritional/dietary effect of capsaicin. However, it is WIDELY and anecdotally known through decades of modern uses that capsaicin has an anti-caloric effect by both decreasing appetite and increasing caloric burn. Doubtful that anyone could truly lose tangible weight on a purely hot sauce diet, however it would make a nice adjunct to efforts of weight loss through other, well-established methods. Interestingly enough, capsaicin has analgesic qualities. Most people have probably heard of Zostrix-brand skin creme, which is great for certain kinds of pain, such as from herpes zoster (shingles). It has also been used to treat severely burned patients in some centers as well. Capsaicin wraps are used on the affected areas, which then deplete the skin & tissues of substance P, which allows the brain to detect pain. The article author downplays the uses of capsaicin, but just because there's no research-based evidence at present. If someone was willing to funnel some cash into such a project (unlikely), I am willing to be it would show some interesting results. <em><strong>Joe - There are several studies that I have read in regards to endorphin production / a raise in metabolic rate - which leads to weight loss. I'll dig them up and post, some are quite old I recall.</strong></em> Factually speaking, the so-called “doctor” is correct. There is no published research (that I know of) or evidence-based medicine that confirms the nutritional/dietary effect of capsaicin. However, it is WIDELY and anecdotally known through decades of modern uses that capsaicin has an anti-caloric effect by both decreasing appetite and increasing caloric burn. Doubtful that anyone could truly lose tangible weight on a purely hot sauce diet, however it would make a nice adjunct to efforts of weight loss through other, well-established methods. Interestingly enough, capsaicin has analgesic qualities. Most people have probably heard of Zostrix-brand skin creme, which is great for certain kinds of pain, such as from herpes zoster (shingles). It has also been used to treat severely burned patients in some centers as well. Capsaicin wraps are used on the affected areas, which then deplete the skin & tissues of substance P, which allows the brain to detect pain. The article author downplays the uses of capsaicin, but just because there’s no research-based evidence at present. If someone was willing to funnel some cash into such a project (unlikely), I am willing to be it would show some interesting results.

Joe - There are several studies that I have read in regards to endorphin production / a raise in metabolic rate - which leads to weight loss. I’ll dig them up and post, some are quite old I recall.

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