Health News

Is Blue Monday Really the Most Depressing Day of the Year?

Blue Monday is coming, with a flurry of media attention promoting this day as the most depressing of the year. News sites point to this day as the time when post-holiday fatigue, debt and poor weather converge to bring our collective moods to an annual low. However, depression and other mental-health issues are more than a once-yearly phenomenon for many people. Is this day really the most depressing in the year?

January 20th: The Bluest Monday of the Year?

Mondays give many people the blues, but one particular Monday has been singled out as a particularly demoralizing day. Although seasonal depression, debt and post-holiday fatigue are very real issues for many of us, experts question whether the media coverage of this one day is helpful or harmful for people struggling with mental health and mood disorders.

Stephen Buckley, Head of Information for UK mental health group Mind, points out that depression is a serious issue and not merely a one-day phenomenon for many people. “Blue Monday contributes to damaging misconceptions about depression and trivializes an illness that can be life-threatening.”

Although many people may suffer from a case of the blues in January, this is very different from depression, an illness affecting millions of people around the world.

More Than Just the Blues

While it’s true that people may feel a bit low after the holidays, depression is a serious mental illness that can have devastating effects. People with depression have a variety of symptoms, including:

low mood lasting at least two weeks
feelings of worthlessness, guilt and pessimism
a lack of pleasure and interest in hobbies and normal daily activities
lack of energy
difficulties sleeping, eating and performing essential activities
increase of aches and pains such as headaches
thoughts of self-harm and suicide

These symptoms can make it extremely difficult for people who suffer from the disease to carry out normal activities and be engaged in their lives. In fact, the key differences between ‘the blues’ and true depression is that depression lasts longer (two weeks or more) and has negative effects on your life.

The Annual Rhythm of Depression

Although no particular Monday is bluer than others, depression does appear to be linked in some ways to the season. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), for example, is a type of depression that affects people in the winter months. People with this illness develop persistent low mood, changes in appetite, increased fatigue and need for sleep and other symptoms every year when light levels fall.

Seasonal affective disorder is just one type of season-related mood disorder. In addition, people with depression and other mood disorders often notice that their symptoms worsen in the winter. However, this phenomenon does not occur on only one day of the year but rather for several months.

Although the weather can take its toll on mental health, no one should have to live with the devastating and life-threatening effects of this illness. Getting treatment is the first step to reclaiming your life and your mood. In many cases, natural remedies can be the most effective way to fight depression.

Hope for Mood Disorders

If you are feeling depressed this January, the first step towards feeling better is to acknowledge the problem and seek treatment. There are a variety of treatment options for depression. Therapy, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy, has been found to be effective in treating depression. In addition, there are medications that can help in more serious cases.

For many people, lifestyle changes and other natural remedies are the most effective approach to maintaining a healthy mood. First, make sure you are taking care of yourself. Eat healthy foods, get enough sleep and take time to be active and outdoors every day. Although these habits can be difficult to maintain while depressed, they are essential to recovery.

Second, avoid ingesting substances that negatively affect your mood. This includes alcohol, tobacco and even caffeine. If you have noticed that certain situations are triggers for you, try to avoid them until you have made progress with your own health.

Last, there are many natural remedies that have been shown in studies to improve mood. 5-HTP and tryptophan, both serotonin precursors in the human body, are supplements that can help mood dramatically. A high-quality supplement that provides these ingredients may give you the boost that you need to make necessary mood-supporting lifestyle changes. Omega-3-rich fish oil also can help to fight depression by increasing energy and reducing levels of inflammation in the body. Melatonin can also be beneficial because it will help you to get the sleep you need at a time when this can be a challenge.

If you are feeling blue this January, don’t blame it on the date. There are simple changes and natural remedies that can help you to get your mood on track and get back to enjoying your life.

Researchers Determine What Causes Diabetes

Jan 11 by Ewcopywriting

Your body’s cells use sugar, or glucose, for energy. When you consume foods or beverages that contain sugar, a hormone called insulin pushes the sugar, or blood glucose, from the bloodstream to the various cells in your body. Once this occurs, the cells use the sugar as fuel, allowing them to function as they should. However in someone with type 2 diabetes, the cells don’t respond to insulin as well as they used to. As a result, glucose levels continue to build up in the blood and the cells are deprived of the fuel they need to function. New research focused on exactly what causes diabetes and, in doing so, may have found a method for reversing the condition.

Diabetes Risk Factors

There are many factors that can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. While childhood diabetes is a little more rare, it is occurring more frequently among children who are overweight or obese. Inactivity also increases the risk of developing the condition in children and adults. Research has also found that hypertension and high cholesterol levels increase the risks of developing diabetes as you age.

In a new study, it was also found that consuming ultra-processed foods — packaged foods that contain high amounts of additives and preservatives — also compounds the risk of type 2 diabetes. In this study, conducted at the University of Paris Epidemiology and Statistics Research Center, researchers looked at how consuming ultra-processed foods affected the risk of developing diabetes. The study included 21,800 male participants and 82,907 women, and examined their dietary habits and health conditions over the course of a decade.

Measuring the amount of ultra-processed foods consumed by each subject on a daily basis, the team did confirm a link to a heightened risk for type 2 diabetes. While they couldn’t say exactly which additives caused the increased risk, the researchers noted that certain additives, such as carrageenan, have been previously found to inhibit the processing of blood glucose. Other ingredients may contribute to the diabetes risk by increasing the body’s insulin tolerance, or by inhibiting the production of insulin. The study’s authors recommended limiting the consumption of ultra-processed foods to a minimum as a means of reducing the risk of developing diabetes.

Symptoms of Diabetes

If you suspect you have type 2 diabetes, or if you possess one or more of the risk factors previously discussed, you should consult your doctor immediately. This is especially true if you have observed any of the most common symptoms of the condition, which are listed below:

increased thirst, accompanied by frequent urination
increased appetite
unexplained weight loss
fatigue
blurred vision
sores or injuries that take longer to heal

New Research Uncovers What Causes Diabetes

Today, there are 422 million people living with diabetes throughout the world and 90 percent of those people suffer from type 2 diabetes. These numbers continue to grow year after year and, since there is no cure at this time, much research is focused on discovering what causes diabetes. While previous research has emphasized that it’s possible to manage diabetes by living a healthier lifestyle, a recent clinical study discovered that one lifestyle change may actually reverse the condition. Specifically, the study found that losing a significant amount of weight could reverse the development of type 2 diabetes.

In the Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (DiRECT), led by Professor Roy Taylor, researchers theorized that type 2 diabetes was instigated by too much fat production in the liver. The higher amounts of fat promote insulin resistance and blood glucose production, creating an ongoing cycle in which there’s too much glucose in the blood for the body to use. Once the fat begins affecting the pancreas, the beta-cells contained within it, which are responsible for producing insulin, are harmed.

Professor Taylor suggests that losing a significant amount of weight will reduce the fat content in the liver and pancreas. As a result, the body will be better able to produce insulin and process sugar in the blood. Maintaining a healthy weight can help the body reverse type 2 diabetes in this way.

Natural Ways to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

While there is still not a cure for type 2 diabetes, there are many actions you can take to help keep the condition from developing. The methods of prevention listed here can also be used to manage the condition if you have already been diagnosed with diabetes.

Increase Physical Activity

While losing weight may help you reverse type 2 diabetes, continuing your exercise plan once you have achieved a healthy weight is equally important. While you should get a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate- to high-intensity physical activity each day, doing more will be beneficial. If you engage in different activities that help you burn calories and build muscle, you’ll see better results in a faster amount of time.

Adopt a Healthier Diet

Eliminating sugar as much as possible from your diet and reducing your intake of carbs will also help you prevent the development of the disease. Since sugar and carbohydrates contribute to high blood glucose levels, this is an important step in both preventing and managing type 2 diabetes. Additionally, eating more plant-based foods will help you feel satisfied without building more fat.

Take a Supplement

Now that we know more about what vitamins and nutrients positively impact the processing of blood glucose, it’s easier to obtain those beneficial compounds. Dietary supplements like Diabetichron, are engineered to provide the nutrients our bodies need to process sugar more efficiently. Improved insulin production and glucose processing will help your cells thrive and your organs function more efficiently.

Drink More Water

There are a couple of ways that drinking more water will help prevent or manage type 2 diabetes. First, water will help you maintain a fuller feeling, so you’ll be less tempted to snack on ultra-processed foods and drink fewer sugary beverages. Second, the water will dilute your blood supply, making it easier to process glucose. This means your body will need to produce less insulin and the insulin it does produce will be used more efficiently.

Confirmed: Season of Birth Influences Mortality Risk

Jan 08 by Ewcopywriting

The time and place of one’s birth and the relationship it has with mortality rates has been a topic studied by scientists throughout the world. Several studies have found that season of birth influences mortality, while other research suggests vitamin D may provide a crucial counterbalance.

Research Suggests Season of Birth Influences Mortality

Past research has found that individuals born in November in the northern hemisphere of the planet have the lowest risk of early mortality from all causes. Additionally, it was found that people in this group are less likely to suffer from early mortality that’s related to heart disease. Other studies have corroborated these findings, showing that those born in the spring and summer months experience a heightened risk of premature mortality, particularly those born during the month of May. It has also been noted that the risks observed in the previous research shift by a six-month interval for those living in the southern hemisphere.

While there does seem to be a correlation between season of birth and mortality risk, the previous research could not find why the relationship between birth timing and mortality exists. In an attempt to discover the reason that the season of birth influences mortality, a new study was conducted recently at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. The study examined the records for 121,700 female nurses, which were gathered as a part of the Nurses’ Health Study.

The Nurses’ Health Study was launched in the early 1970s, and examines the health conditions of registered nurses over an extended period of time. The data was gathered from 30-55-year-old registered nurses and includes a variety of factors, such as health history, smoking habits, height, weight and other demographics. The Nurses’ Health Study also includes information about each nurse’s socioeconomic status, such as education levels and whether their parents rented or owned their homes.

For the current study on season of birth and mortality risk, 116,911 subjects were used and the researchers accounted for any deaths that occurred, documenting the cause of death and the details of each subject’s birth. Conducting follow-up assessments across 38 years, they accounted for 43,248 deaths. While studying these records didn’t prove a connection between the time and place of birth and all-cause early mortality, they did establish a connection in regards to early mortality caused by cardiovascular problems.

Specifically, the researchers found that women born between the months of March and July had a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease than those born at any other time of the year. They also found that women with December birthdays experienced the lowest risk of an early cardiovascular-related death. There was a spike in heart-related deaths in the spring and summer when compared to the fall, even after accounting for hereditary and socioeconomic factors.

Could the Month of Your Birth Also Play a Role in How Long You Live?

A previous study looked at how location and birth timing affected early mortality, defining early mortality is dying before the age of 50. In this study, they found that people born in Denmark and Austria from October through December had a reduced risk of early mortality, while those born from April to June in the same regions had a significantly higher risk of early mortality.

This study also found that the patterns of early mortality shifted by six months in the southern hemisphere. Since early mortality was related to the season and month of birth in both hemispheres, the shifting patterns seem to back up the hypothesis that external environment plays a role in determining early mortality rates. Future research will have to focus more on why this relationship exists. This knowledge may help establish a method for taking environmental cues into account in order to conceive children that will grow into healthier adults.

The Important Role Vitamin D Plays

Vitamin D is thought to play a role in infant health and the correlation that an individual’s health as a baby has to early mortality. Specifically, a prolonged vitamin deficiency can cause cardiovascular problems later in life, a significant cause of early mortality. Since most infants get their vitamin D from breastfeeding, it’s also important for new mothers to ensure they’re getting enough. Pregnant women and new mothers should get 15 micrograms of vitamin per day , while older adults over the age of 70 should get a minimum of 20 micrograms of vitamin D per day.

The best source of vitamin D is the sun, but the sun’s UV rays also raise the risk of skin cancer. One way of reducing cancer risk is to use a good-quality sun block and limit sunlight exposure to short intervals. Spending 20 minutes per day in the sun, during early morning or late afternoon hours, is ideal. Avoid midday exposure when the sun is at its peak.

You can also take a dietary supplement that contains a sufficient supply of vitamin D. In particular, it’s important for pregnant women to supplement with a prenatal vitamin that contains enough vitamin D for both the mother and her developing child. By taking a supplement on a daily basis, you can help your baby develop strong bones and muscles, a healthier immune system and a healthier nervous system.

Finally, there are a few foods that you should consider adding to your diet for their vitamin D content. Eating sufficient quantities of the following foods can help you build up vitamin D levels in your body to ensure good cardiovascular health:

fatty fish, including mackerel, salmon and tuna
beef liver
egg yolk
cheese
fortified cereals, milk and juices
mushrooms

Future research will focus on why different regions and seasonal changes may affect early mortality. Eventually, this may lead to better methods of preventative care that will help us to live longer. In the meantime, ensuring you’re getting enough vitamin D for yourself and your developing child is essential to improved health and longevity.

Discovered: The Key to Sticking to Your New Year’s Resolutions

Jan 05 by Ewcopywriting

Traditionally, the beginning of a new year is a time to reevaluate life choices and resolve to make certain changes in the year to come — in other words, make so called “New Year’s resolutions.” The problem is, statistically, most people fail to keep their New Year’s resolutions. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to stay motivated and have a better chance at beating the odds.

What are the Most Common New Year’s Resolutions?

A recent study focused on the most common resolutions people made in each state of the U.S., with the hope to get a better idea of the mindset of the average American. In the study, researchers recruited 1,450 Americans across the nation, including participants from every state and from Washington, D.C. The study was conducted in 2018 and asked participants to share their plans for making resolutions for 2019.

In examining the results, the researchers found that getting more exercise for the purpose of getting in better shape topped the list in 18 states. In 16 states, dieting for the purpose of losing weight was the most common resolution, while saving money topped the list of resolutions in nine states. In five states, the most common resolution was to adopt a healthier diet. The goals of learning a new skill, getting a new job and taking general self-care actions were at the top of the list in just one state each.

The researchers also revealed that certain resolutions seemed focused in geographical areas. For example, Southern and Northeastern states were more focused on money and savings, while Western and Midwestern states were more interested in weight loss, fitness and nutrition.

How Successful are People in Keeping Their Resolutions?

The research project also examined the success rates of keeping New Year’s resolutions for the full year. When looking at the results by state, they found that South Dakota was the best at keeping their resolutions, with 37.5 percent of the population sticking to their goals. Alaska followed closely behind with a 35.3 percent success rate. Minnesota and Maryland tied for third place with both states exhibiting a 31 percent rate of successful execution. The worst states for keeping their resolutions year round were New Mexico (4.5 percent), Tennessee (8 percent), and Indiana (8.7 percent).

The subjects were also asked about the difficulty they experienced in keeping their resolutions. Those who kept their resolutions all year said that goals of personal development, such as reading more or taking up a new hobby, were easier to keep. The study found that 32.7 percent of the participants felt that getting in shape or making dietary changes were the most difficult.

In another study, resolutions pertaining to fitness and weight loss goals were examined more closely. Spanning across six European countries, the study examined the success rates of 12,410 women in keeping their resolutions to lose weight. The research found that women who were relatively healthy and had a BMI (body mass index) of 25 or lower had a 20 percent chance of succeeding with their weight loss goals. Women who were classified as overweight or obese, registering a BMI of 30 or higher, were less successful. Only 9 percent of the participants in this group reported having some success in losing some weight in the new year.

When the overweight and obese women were questioned, approximately 75 percent said that they gave up trying to lose weight because they were discouraged by how long it took to lose pounds. A third of the women in this group blamed their own lack of self-confidence for their failure in sticking to their weight loss resolutions.

What Can You Do to Be More Successful in Keeping Your 2020 Resolutions?

In keeping any resolution, will power plays an important role. Even if you’re not someone who possesses a strong sense of self-control, forcing yourself to alter your behavior patterns is vital to your success. While you may struggle with maintaining your will power, the important thing is to start fresh after any failure or relapse of unwanted behavior. If you continue and develop a pattern, you’ll find that your will power will grow stronger over time.

Use visual stimulus to keep yourself motivated every day. If you’re taking a supplement to support your weight loss efforts, it may be helpful to leave the bottle where you will see it several times a day. You can also hang pictures of physically fit models and celebrities who inspire you. Send yourself motivational texts and leave other visual cues that will keep you dedicated to keeping your resolution.

Reinforcement therapy can also be used to help you stick to your weight loss goals, or to any resolution. When you adhere to a desirable behavior, find a way of rewarding yourself. Alternatively, failing to stick to your modified lifestyle should be punished in some way. A system of rewards and punishments will help you adhere to behaviors that will help you reach your goals, while also helping you to cease destructive behaviors.

You should also make a conscious decision to avoid triggers that will cause you to break your resolutions. If your resolution is to eat healthy, don’t buy sugary or high-fat foods. You may tell yourself you’re buying them for your kids, or for guests, but you will end up eating them if they’re in the home. If your goal is to exercise more, set aside a specific time for your workouts. During this time, be sure the television is off and don’t sit at the computer, because these behaviors will make it easier for you to lose motivation. Remind yourself that you can watch a little TV, or jump on social media, after you complete your workout.

You may find more ways to stay motivated, or you might discover that using several of these strategies together is a better method. While it won’t be easy to stick to your resolution, it’s not impossible. As long as you’re dedicated to reaching your goals, you can find effective ways of helping you stick to your resolutions.

FDA Approves New Fish Oil Drug to Protect Against Heart Disease

Dec 30 by Ewcopywriting

Because heart disease is such a common cause of death, claiming a life every 37 seconds, finding more effective treatments is a primary concern in the medical community. New research has led to the discovery that the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil may serve as an effective supplemental treatment for reducing the risks of developing cardiovascular disease by lowering the levels of triglycerides, or fat cells, in the blood. As a result of this research, a new fish oil drug which works by keeping triglyceride levels in check was recently approved by the FDA as an adjunct treatment for heart disease. In approving the new fish oil drug, the FDA specified that it is especially effective in adults with elevated triglycerides, or levels reaching more than 150 milligrams per deciliter.

FDA Approves Fish Oil Drug to Help Reduce Heart Disease Risk

The new fish oil drug, called Vascepa, contains a potent omega-3 fatty acid called eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). While this compound is naturally found in fish oil, the FDA advises that for maximum effectiveness it should only be prescribed to patients with exceptionally high triglyceride levels and that it should be used along with other treatments designed to lower the risk of a cardiovascular event. Additionally, it is cautioned that patients keep a close eye on their cholesterol levels while taking Vascepa.

Although the exact mechanism by which the drug works to lower triglyceride levels is unknown, in-depth research has concluded that it is effective. When taken as a part of an overall treatment plan, the fish oil-based drug lowers the amount of triglycerides in the blood, which reduces the risk of fat cell build-up. As more fat cells populate the blood supply, the arteries stiffen and become narrower, inhibiting the flow of blood. As a result, the risk of a heart attack or stroke is increased. By keeping the triglycerides low, Vascepa reduces the risks that this chain of events will occur.

In a recent clinical trial, researchers selected a group of 8,179 adults, aged 45 or older. Each subject exhibited previous heart, cardiovascular or metabolic problems. The subjects chosen for the trial also had additional risks for cardiovascular disease. Those subjects given the drug were found to exhibit a lower risk of suffering from a cardiovascular event than those who did not take the drug. While cardiovascular problems were reduced by 33 percent for those who took the drug, it was also found that people with a history of atrial fibrillation were at a greater risk of suffering from those events. Also, it was noted that those who suffer from fish or shellfish allergies should take the drug only under the close supervision of their doctors.

The Health Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

The heart isn’t the only organ that benefits from a regular intake of omega-3 fatty acids. In fact,omega-3’s have such a strong effect on the brain and nervous system that they can be used to impact the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. In other studies, a low-fat diet that relies on oily fish has been shown to be effective in lowering the risks of developing colon cancer and prostate cancer.

Consuming more omega-3-rich foods can also reverse the onset of post-partum depression, according to a separate study. The researchers involved in that project recommend eating fish rich in omega-3 oils at least twice per week. Additionally, the proteins and minerals found in fish can be beneficial to our health.

There are a number of cognitive and emotional health benefits that can come from an increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids. A study involving children found that consuming more fish per week improved behavioral problems associated with ADHD. In a separate research project, it was found that memory recall was improved in young adults, although the researchers could not verify that the omega-3 exposure would help prevent cognitive decline in later years. Regular consumption of omega-3-rich foods may also reduce the risks of developing Alzheimer’s disease, lower the frequency of epileptic seizures, prevent age-related vision loss and may reduce the risk of psychosis.

What Are the Best Sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acids?

If you’re not a big fish eater, getting omega-3 fatty acids through vitamin supplements is a convenient alternative. While taking a supplement in addition to eating a healthy supply of fish didn’t seem to increase the benefits to cardiovascular health, cancer risks and other medical conditions, choosing one or the other did provide those benefits. In either case, adding more omega-3 to your diet won’t completely eliminate these health risks, but it will reduce them.

Other than taking a fish oil supplement or eating more oily fish, there are other natural ways to get more omega-3’s. The compound is also found in flax, hempseed, perilla oil, chia seeds and spirulina. Although dark, leafy green vegetables, including fresh basil, also have omega-3 fatty acids, the content is lower than it is in fresh wild-caught oily fish. To obtain the highest concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids, eat more sardines, herring, anchovies, trout, mackerel and salmon. To gain the maximum health benefits, two to three servings per week are recommended.

While eating more seafood is beneficial, the type of seafood you eat must be taken into account. Larger fish, such as king mackerel, shark, tilefish or swordfish, will have larger concentrations of mercury, so children and pregnant women should be especially wary of eating them. To obtain a good supply of healthy fish oil without increasing mercury exposure, stick with canned light tuna, catfish, pollock and salmon.

Chili Pepper Compound Capsaicin Reduces Mortality Risk, Says New Study

Dec 20 by Ewcopywriting

People all over the world love spicy foods — and chili peppers in particular — but these potent peppers may do more than just add flavor to our favorite meals. According to a recent study conducted at Italy’s Mediterranean Neurological Institute, eating chili peppers may benefit longevity. In particular, the researchers found that capsaicin reduces mortality risk by positively affecting cardiovascular health and metabolic rates in adults.

New Research Finds Capsaicin Reduces Mortality Risk

In conducting their research, the team studied surveys from subjects in the United States and China, ultimately noting that those who ate more chili peppers exhibited reduced early mortality rates. Taking their research a step further in a separate study, the team then observed the ways in which capsaicin affected lipids in the blood in an attempt to uncover exactly how the compound improved mortality.

In this second study, they included 22,811 adults, aged 35 or older. The subjects were observed for a period of 8.2 years on average. For each participant, supplemental factors that could affect the outcome of the study, such as activity levels, smoking, alcohol consumption and medical history, were accounted for in advance. The subjects were asked to complete questionnaires about their eating habits, which included questions about their consumption of chili peppers.

After reviewing the answers to the questionnaires, the research team found that 24.3 percent of the subjects admitted to heavy consumption of chili peppers. In the terms of the study, this meant they consumed chili peppers at least four times per week. Additionally, 33.7 percent of the group reported that they consumed chili peppers rarely, or not at all. The researchers found that those participants with the heaviest chili pepper consumption had a 23 percent lower risk of early mortality from all causes when compared to those who rarely or never ate chili peppers.

The Effects of Capsaicin on Cardiovascular Health

Looking specifically at how chili peppers affected cardiovascular health, the researchers found that there was a 34 percent lower risk of death by cardiovascular events as a result of heavy chili pepper consumption. In particular, the risks of early mortality resulting from cerebrovascular incidents and ischemic heart disease were dramatically lowered.

The team was surprised to discover that the type of diet had little to no impact on mortality in the study. Whether the test subjects ate a Mediterranean or a typical Western diet, the benefits from eating chili peppers was not affected. Although these factors had no impact on the results of the study, the research team also noted that highly educated, older males tended to eat the most chili peppers. Those who ate more chili peppers also more commonly suffered from type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and higher blood lipids. For this reason, the scientists conducting the study concluded that the process by which chili peppers reduces mortality does not affect other cardiovascular disease risk factors.

The researchers noted that this study could not establish a causal relationship, so further research is needed. In the meantime, there’s enough evidence to suggest that the capsaicin in chili peppers can help improve longevity. Since eating more chili peppers isn’t appealing to some people, an alternative is to take a daily supplement that contains capsaicin. Taking a daily supplement can help you enjoy the benefits mentioned here without actually having to consume more chili peppers each week.

Other Capsaicin Health Benefits

Besides findgins that capsaicin reduces mortality risk, previous research has found that capsaicin is also beneficial in alleviating chronic pain, such as that caused by arthritis. When the compound is formulated into a topical lotion or cream, it affects how pain signals are transmitted from the nerve endings to the brain. As a result, pain sensations are reduced or eliminated altogether. It has been found effective in treating the pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia.

Topical capsaicin treatments are generally safe, but people with sensitive skin may want to use the product with caution. In some cases, it can cause skin irritation at the application site, including rashes, burning sensations and redness. Itching and swelling may also occur in some instances. Even if these symptoms are experienced, they often disappear after a short time of continued use. They rarely reappear, except in cases of extreme temperature changes, or when the skin is exposed to extremely hot or cold water.

In another previous study, conducted at Marshall University’s Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, it was found that capsaicin may help prevent cancer from metastasizing, or spreading to other parts of the body. The research involved adapting capsaicin into medicinal compounds that didn’t produce the same adverse side effects as those caused by chili pepper consumption.

Of the three products tested (capsaicin, capsiate and capsiconiate), only capsiconiate had no effect on test mice. Capsiate was found to prevent cancer cells from invading nearby cells, which is the first step in a process that leads to metastasis. They also found that mice who were treated with capcaisin had less metastatic cells than those who did not receive any capsaicin-related product. The researchers hope that future studies will lead to a natural capsaicin treatment for lung cancer that could help prevent the spread of the disease without subjecting the patient to adverse side effects.