Contact a licensed N.D. for insights on nature-based care
A new study is shining a light on the chili pepper and its apparent role in lower mortality rates.
As presented before the American Heart Association earlier this month, study researchers reviewed 4,729 studies from five leading global health databases featuring the health and dietary records of more than half a million individuals in the United States, Italy, China, and Iran. Their final analysis included four large studies that outlined health outcomes for participants with data on frequency of chili pepper consumption.
Using that large combination of international data, researchers compared individuals who often ate chili peppers to those who rarely or never ate them. They found those who often ate chili peppers had:
- A 26% relative reduction in cardiovascular mortality.
- A 23% relative reduction in cancer mortality.
- A 25% relative reduction in all-cause mortality.
The researchers were intrigued by previous studies that have found eating chili peppers has an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and blood-glucose regulating effect due to capsaicin, which gives chili peppers their characteristic mild to intense spice when eaten.
“We were surprised to find that, in these previously published studies, regular consumption of chili pepper was associated with an overall risk-reduction of all-cause, CVD [cardiovascular disease], and cancer mortality,” said senior author Dr. Bo Xu, a cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic’s Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute, noting more research is needed to specify amounts and types of chili peppers or capsaicin that may make the biggest health difference. “It highlights that dietary factors may play an important role in overall health.”
Nature-based remedies such as those highlighted in this study are typical of those used in both longtime traditional and today’s holistic health care. California’s professionally educated and licensed naturopathic doctors (N.D.s) are trained to safely treat patients by using natural methods and substances to support and stimulate the body’s self-healing process, while also utilizing conventional medicine in conjunction with naturopathic medicine when appropriate. This makes N.D.s valuable assets to Californians who are interested in natural and conventional medicine and treatments, since N.D.s are trained in both.
To find out more about California’s licensed N.D.s and their distinct and comprehensive system of primary health-care services, visit the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Naturopathic Medicine Committee at https://naturopathic.ca.gov; to check a professional’s license, visit https://search.dca.ca.gov.