Amphetamines and other psychostimulants have been used to aid in weight loss for many years, primarily acting as an appetite suppressant. But they carry a tremendous side-effect burden. By design, stimulants increase heart rate and blood pressure—results not desired for a “healthy” individual, much less one who may be overweight or obese and thus predisposed to cardiovascular events.

Appetite suppressants also have a limited efficacy profile, as they address only one half of the thermo-dynamic equation, a reduction in caloric intake. Increasing metabolism, i.e. basal or resting caloric burn, is equally as important to a sustained weight loss program. The basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the main determinant of daily energy expenditure, representing 60 to 70 percent of total energy output in sedentary adults. BMR declines with age, beginning in the 30s and 40s. It’s clear that if caloric input remains constant or increases as a person ages, the stage is set for weight gain during mid-life, even for those who may have been lean in their youth.

Clinicians and researchers have long sought therapeutic agents that can reliably up-regulate thermogenesis and increase BMR. There are several botanical medicines and plant-derived substances promoted for increasing thermogenesis and fat oxidation, including bitter orange, guarana, hoodia, ephedra and green tea.

One of the most promising, well-researched and safest botanically derived metabolic up-regulators includes compounds found in chili peppers (Capsicum genus). The thermogenic effects of capsaicin—the best-known constituent of chili peppers and the one that gives them their pungent flavor—are well documented.

Published clinical studies have found that capsaicin enhances energy expenditure, increases fat oxidation and elevates resting energy expenditure. However, capsaicin has limited clinical utility due to its pungency or “burn”—many people simply cannot tolerate capsaicin at levels that would produce meaningful thermogenic and metabolic changes. Capsaicin also increasing blood pressure and heart rate and therefore is not a safe therapeutic option in many cases.

Recently Japanese researchers, who have been at the forefront of research on the bioactive compounds of chili peppers, discovered capsinoids. These substances, produced by certain strains of chili peppers, are structurally similar to capsaicin but without the noxious sensations of pungency and the associated cardiovascular risk.

The thermogenic effect of capsinoids involves stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system through activation of a capsaicin receptor in the gut called TRPV1. TRPV1 increases the expression of uncoupling proteins, which leads to the utilization of fatty acids which in turn helps suppress fat accumulation.

The safety and efficacy of capsinoids have been researched in nearly 50 extensive studies conducted in the United States, Europe and Japan. One significant, double bind placebo controlled study of 40 human subjects, which was published in 2009 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in abdominal fat, and body weight without increases in heart rate or blood pressure.  

Capsiate Natura® contains natural capsinoids extracted from the CH-19 Sweet pepper. Extensively researched, Capsiate Natura® has been shown to boost basal metabolism without a burning sensation and other cardiovascular side-effect concerns.

Though they are not a stand-alone solution for weight reduction, capsinoids represent a welcome, non-pharmaceutical adjunct that enhances thermogenesis in conjunction with diet, exercise and lifestyle modifications.