|
Science Forum Index » Medicine - Nutrition Forum » Cayenne pepper; pro- or anti-inflammatory?
Page 1 of 1
|
| Author |
Message |
| Knack |
 Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:37 pm |
|
|
|
Guest
|
It is a paradox that capsaicin causes inflammation of the face and
stomach when large quantities of it are consumed in hot chile peppers,
yet it is widely regarded as an anti-inflammatory substance.
Moreover, capsaicin is well known to be such a good vasodilator that
liquid cayenne pepper extract can be topically applied to the toes in
order to stimulate circulation before exposure to very cold ambient
conditions. Yet bodily 'substance P', a neurogenic pro-inflammatory
substance that capsaicin is believed to *block*, is a vasodilator. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| Guest |
| Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 11:36 am |
|
|
|
|
What you describe is true of most substances. At some small amount they
have no adverse effect, even toxic materials. At some greater amount
they can have a beneficial effect and at larger amounts still the
benefits are overcome by negative countereffects. Even water
illustrates this. A person can die from dringing too much water as
happened recently on a british show but in the right amounts it is quite
useful.
Quote: It is a paradox that capsaicin causes inflammation of the face and
stomach when large quantities of it are consumed in hot chile peppers,
yet it is widely regarded as an anti-inflammatory substance.
Moreover, capsaicin is well known to be such a good vasodilator that
liquid cayenne pepper extract can be topically applied to the toes in
order to stimulate circulation before exposure to very cold ambient
conditions. Yet bodily 'substance P', a neurogenic pro-inflammatory
substance that capsaicin is believed to *block*, is a vasodilator. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| Knack |
| Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 10:49 pm |
|
|
|
Guest
|
It doesn't take many milligrams of capsaicin in order to produce
flushing of the face and watery eyes. Just a few drops of liquid cayenne
pepper (condiment sauce) can produce some degree of such a reaction in
most individuals. However, some people (such as Mexicans) can handle far
more capcaisin than others. And I've often heard that cayenne pepper
tolerance is something that can be gradually acquired via frequent
consumption of chile peppers, cayenne sauces, etc.
So based on the above albeit anecdotal evidence, if what you say applies
to capcaisin, then a threshold dose (flip-flopping from healthful to
harmful), must surely vary widely between individuals.
Is there any other inflammatory substances besides capcaisin where
individuals may posess the ability to gradually improve their response
to it via consumption/exposure?
I wonder if capcaisin is actually producing hormone-like properties, but
I haven't read of any such connection. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| Knack |
| Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 10:58 pm |
|
|
|
Guest
|
I'm aware of the dangers of excessive consumption of water and of the
risk asociated with supplementary oxygen gas too. Capcaisin is dismilar
to those types of overexposure. It is like a drug. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| |
