Capsaicinoid Ingestion, Human Metabolism and Exercise
Capsaicinoid Ingestion, Human Metabolism and Exercise
Capsaicinoids (the active ingredient in hot peppers) have been shown to cause a moderate
 increase in energy expenditure (50 kcal/day) as well as reductions in appetite, energy
 intake, and (visceral) adiposity. As such, there is considerable interest in capsaicinoid for
 weight loss supplements. Of particular interest are the recent findings that free-fatty acids
 in the blood are elevated 2-2.5hrs post ingestion, yet changes in typical cardiovascular or
 sympathetic nervous tone indicators (heart rate, blood pressure) were unaffected, suggesting
 some of the negative consequences of other stimulants may be avoided. At present, however,
 more in depth investigations of the effects on endothelial function, vascular autonomic tone
 and inflammation are lacking.

 The investigators seek to understand the effect of 3 months capsaicinoid ingestion on
 alterations in body composition, traditional cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular
 function

 Hypotheses:

 1) Continued use of capsaicinoids will alter resting metabolism substrate use, which will
 result in moderate (but clinically meaningful) alterations in body composition manifested as
 a decrease in adiposity. 2) Blood lipids will be unaffected by capsaicinoid use, as will
 brachial blood pressure. 3) Levels of systemic inflammation may increase slightly, and this
 could have an effect on vascular reactivity to hyperemic flow or baseline vascular tone.
 However, previous research suggests that these alterations will not be manifested in
 autonomic nervous tone assessed by changes in heart rate variability.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Subjects will be male or female

 -  18 yr -45yr and free from any known or suspected chronic conditions.

 -  General health and suitability to participate in an exercise/health research study
 will be confirmed through use of the PAR-Q+ screening questionnaire

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Any participant who has a positive answer to a screening question will be required to
 seek physician approval prior to any physical exercise.

 -  Baseline arrhythmia (tachycardia (>100pbm) and systolic or diastolic hypertension
 (>140/90 mmHg) will also be reason for exclusion.

 -  During baseline anthropometric assessment we will confirm that participants all fall
 within a typical BMI range (20-30 kg/m2) of either "normal" weight or "overweight",
 but not "underweight" or "obese".

 -  Persons who take cardiovascular medications, metabolic medications, smoke cigarettes,
 excessively consume alcohol, are prone to heartburn, or have a previous diagnosis of
 hyperlipidemia or hyperinsulemia will also be excluded