Capsaicin Medicinal Benefits
Article by Joanne
Capsaicin(C18H27NO3) is the chemical compound that makes chili peppers taste hot. It is found naturally in red chili peppers, giving the vegetable its distinguishing, pungent, spicy-hot sting. The ingredient is the active chemical in certain medications like skin pain patches and topical anesthetic creams used for treating muscle pain, neuralgia and arthritis. It is a skin irritant to humans, and can cause a burning sensation if applied to the skin.
Capsaicin, or more commonly, ingredients containing high amounts, are widely used as flavorings in spicy cuisines. All members of the pepper family that are hot have high levels of this compound. Hot sauces such as hot salsa and Tabasco are high in the substance, and you can easily burn your mouth eating spicy foods if you are not careful.
Capsaicin is also making news in the diet and nutritional fields. Some studies show that a diet high in chilis or other capsaicin-laden foods can raise your base metabolism, the rate at which your body burns fat while at rest. There are also studies claiming it both lowers LDLs, or ‘bad cholesterols’, but raises HDLs, or ‘good cholesterols’ too.
The chemical works by interfering with nerve receptor transmissions from the spinal cord and throughout the body. Applied topically, capsaicin is absorbed through the skin and provides minor relief for such painful conditions as neuralgia, or nerve pain, from the herpes zoster virus and after surgery. It also works for sudden and severe bouts of cluster headaches, for canker sores from post-radiation cancer treatment, and as a steroid replacement for such skin conditions as psoriasis. The product is also used as a pain reliever for arthritis, although it usually takes several weeks of continual use before the arthritis sufferer receives any relief.
Uses of capsaicin for diseases such as diabetes and cancer remains in experimental form. Scientists have discovered that chemical compounds in this chemical may treat diabetes and nerve inflammation. Studies performed by the American Cancer Institute show that it injected into mice with prostate cancer reduced tumors in the cancer cells, causing the cells to self-implode. The benefits of capsaicin(CAS No. 404-86-4) for treating more serious, chronic and debilitating disease remains to be seen.
With all that going for it, consider yourself lucky if you like spicy cuisines, and help yourself to as much capsaicin-generated heat as your mouth can stand. However, some patients are allergic to it, and the medicine on the eyes or mucuous membranes of the body may react with extreme swelling, burning, itching and respiratory problems. While rare, overdoses can be lethal. Patients with high blood pressure or heart problems should defer to a medical professional before using it skin patches for pain. Overall, the benefits outweigh the risks for most pain sufferers.
Uriah yang is the freelance writer for e-commerce website in the chemistry. Guidechem.com is just a place for you to look for some chemicals! Our guidechem provide the most convenient conditions for the international buyers and let these leads benefit all the business people.
About the Author
Joanne,male, 23years old, from Hangzhou,Zhejiang Provence,China.
Use and distribution of this article is subject to our Publisher Guidelines
whereby the original author’s information and copyright must be included.
