Can Cayenne Pepper Help with High
Cholesterol?
According to
research as published by PubMed.gov, the capsaicinoids within chili peppers and cayenne peppers "possess beneficial
vascular activity."
The research snipped goes on further to say that "the capsaicinoids
but not capsinoids could decrease plasma total cholesterol, reduce the formation of atherosclerotic plaque and
relax the aortic artery."
Furthermore, in a press release from the American Chemical Society
outlining a study conducted by what appears to be Chinese researchers, Zhen-Yu Chen, Ph.D., who reported the study,
said, "Our research has reinforced and expanded knowledge about how these substances [capsaicinoids] in chilies
work in improving heart health. We now have a clearer and more detailed portrait of their innermost effects on
genes and other mechanisms that influence cholesterol and the health of blood vessels. it is among the first
research to provide that information." (You can see the release here.)
This is exciting news! It confirms what medicinal herbalists have
been saying for years -- decades even -- that chili peppers and cayenne that has capsaicinoids the "stuff" that
gives peppers their characteristic heat, can be tremendous in helping the heart and its vessels.
This is good news for any who want to beat heart disease.
An interesting factoid conveyed in the release comments how
capsaicinoids also blocked the activity of a gene that produces cyclooxygenase-2, which is a substance that makes
the mustlces around blood vessels constrict. According to the release, through capsaicinoids "allow muscles to
relax and widen, allowing more blood to flow." Increased blood flow could -- and should -- be of interest to athletes, especially endurance athletes like
bicylists, long-distance skiers and runners.
Anyone who has ever used a capsaicin-based cream or imbibed cayenne already knows that but it's
good medical science is finally finding that out.
Now, more and more clinical research is confirming the healthy and beneficial
effects of chili and cayenne peppers. Cayenne is a tour de force for keeping heart disease at bay. it helps strip
plaque on the arterial wall, promote blood flow and strengthens and heals the heart. And, certainly, we know it is
also fantastic for high cholesterol as well.
What real world results have people been getting? According to Lisa Smith of Seattle, Washington,
"It [cayenne pepper] im;roved my digestion and my cholesterol. Cayenne pepper works!"
John Nixon of Cairns, Australis touted its benefits to his cholesterol in an unsolicited email to
me and Chris Emmerson of Hull East Yorkshirem in the United Kingdom said, ...against the doctor's advice, I slung
my cholesterol tablets away. Since then, my bloods have been checked and my cholesterol has dropped from six to
four, whilst taking the tablets it was still a constant six wtih the doctor upping the dosage every time."
Another United Kingdom reader, Roger Talbot of S.W. Wales says, "I recently had a cholesterol and
blood pressure test and was amazed to find my cholesterol level had dropped from 6.6 to 3 and I have perfect blood
pressure. I have alwaysbeen very skeptical about the various claims for herbaland plant-derived products (I am a
retired chemist/researcher) and consequently have read quite a lot of the original research papers related to
cayenne. I am truly astounded by the results."
One person who emailed me, RLC of San Diego in the United States also said this, which is one of
the most heartwarming (pun intended!) testimonials sent to me:
"I started using cayenne in early March because my cholesterol was pretty high and my doctor
wanted me to start taking a statin drug. The side effects of statins seemed pretty significant so I asked if I
could have a reprieve and test again. I was given 8 weeks to lower my cholesterol. Doing some research I came
across your website and incorporated cayenne. I very quickly graduated to a full teaspoon of 90K SKU 3 times daily
in hot water with a splash of organic lemon juice. I also radically cut out sugars and flour products from my diet.
The cayenne really helps cut cravings for sweets. At the end of 8 weeks my cholesterol was down 70
points over all and into the “safe zone.” I also had an unintended benefit to an old neck injury. For
years I have had pretty significant pain and a burning sensation at the base of my neck due to an injury. I did not
want to have surgery so I did my best to live with it. While taking the cayenne the pain and burning in my neck
dissipated significantly and is currently nonexistent. I am pretty happy about both results, especially since my
doctor told me statins are no longer in my future."
As you can see, cayenne is terrific for high cholesterol.
Conclusion
There are more cayenne testimonials on this page here within this website if you are interested, as well as some other
incredible stories that are attributed to cayenne pepper.
And there are more I've received as well.
Lastly, if you're interested in supplementing or experimenting with cayenne, you can get more
information about buying good quality cayenne at this article over here within this CayennePepper.info website.
I hope you enjoyed this cayenne pepper and high cholesterol article.
References
American
Chemical Society. 27 March, 2012. How pepper compound could help heart health. https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/pressroom/newsreleases/2012/march/hot-pepper-compound-could-help-hearts.html.
Huang W., Cheang WS, Wang X, Lei L, Liu Y, Ma KY, Zheng F,
Huang Y, Chen ZY. Capsaicinoids but not their analogue capsinoids lower plasma cholesterol and possess beneficial
vascular activity. J Agric Food Chem. 2014 Aug 20;62(33):8415-20. doi: 10.1021/jf502888h. Epub 2014 Aug
11.
|