Should You Be Eating More Cayenne Peppers? By: Amanda Mangus

Cayenne Pepper Scientific Name: Capsicum annuum Family: Solanaceae The peppers have been used as food and medicine for over 9,000 years, especially by the Native Americans. Christopher Columbus brought it to Europe after his second voyage to America. Of the 1,700 varieties of pepper from the Americas, Cayenne Pepper has received the most medical interest.

Cancer Treatment Cancer Treatment Obesity Treatment Obesity Treatment Headache Relief Headache Relief Arthritis Treatment Arthritis Treatment Treats Digestive Ailments Treats Digestive Ailments Reduces Muscle Cramps Reduces Muscle Cramps Among many others Among many others Uses of Cayenne Pepper

Active Ingredient Cayenne Peppers contain capsaicin which not only gives the peppers their hot and spicy flavor but is also responsible for the peppers medicinal properties. Other active ingredients include: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Flavonoids, and Cartenoids. The latter two have antioxidant properties.

How it Works To alleviate arthritis, muscle cramps, and digestive ailments, Capsaicin depletes a pain producing substance, P, that sends pain signals to the brain which in turn temporarily provides pain relief. Basically, producing a numbing effect. However, it can only penetrate about ½’ of skin so it can relieve deep tissue pain. Cayenne Pepper is available in topical cream in a 0.025% and a 0.075% concentration for these purposes. Cayenne pepper is taken orally to relieve digestive pains. To alleviate arthritis, muscle cramps, and digestive ailments, Capsaicin depletes a pain producing substance, P, that sends pain signals to the brain which in turn temporarily provides pain relief. Basically, producing a numbing effect. However, it can only penetrate about ½’ of skin so it can relieve deep tissue pain. Cayenne Pepper is available in topical cream in a 0.025% and a 0.075% concentration for these purposes. Cayenne pepper is taken orally to relieve digestive pains. To treat obesity, Capsaicin boosts heat generation of the body which causes the body to burn more energy. To be effective 8 to 25 micromoles need to be consumed per day. To treat obesity, Capsaicin boosts heat generation of the body which causes the body to burn more energy. To be effective 8 to 25 micromoles need to be consumed per day.

How it Works, Cont. To relieve headaches, cayenne pepper is administered by a doctor into the nose. The high concentrations block C-fibre conduction and result in long lasting sensory deficits. It is found to relieve cluster headaches and possibly reduce the occurrence. To relieve headaches, cayenne pepper is administered by a doctor into the nose. The high concentrations block C-fibre conduction and result in long lasting sensory deficits. It is found to relieve cluster headaches and possibly reduce the occurrence. Cayenne peppers are consumed to reduce risk of cancer. Researchers from Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that the Capsaicin reduced cell proliferation. Also, they believe Capsaicin could possibly improve the apoptotic mechanism that cancer cells are so good at dodging. In mice, it induced 80% of the prostate cancer cells to apoptosis. Cayenne peppers are consumed to reduce risk of cancer. Researchers from Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that the Capsaicin reduced cell proliferation. Also, they believe Capsaicin could possibly improve the apoptotic mechanism that cancer cells are so good at dodging. In mice, it induced 80% of the prostate cancer cells to apoptosis.

Conclusions Arthritis Treatment – relieves pain temporarily but does not cure Arthritis Treatment – relieves pain temporarily but does not cure Headaches – diminishes cluster headaches and possibly migraines Headaches – diminishes cluster headaches and possibly migraines Cancer – slowed growth of tumors in Prostate Cancer but not necessarily every cancer also high increase of peppers may increase risk of stomach cancer Cancer – slowed growth of tumors in Prostate Cancer but not necessarily every cancer also high increase of peppers may increase risk of stomach cancer Obesity – showed decrease in body fat but results only last a small period of time if it is not taken continuously Obesity – showed decrease in body fat but results only last a small period of time if it is not taken continuously Muscle Cramps – relieves pain temporarily but does not cure Muscle Cramps – relieves pain temporarily but does not cure Digestive Ailments – pain relief Digestive Ailments – pain relief

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