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Known as a popular spice in the kitchen, cayenne pepper can also be taken as a supplement due to its many health benefits. Cayenne, also known as red pepper or hot pepper, can be applied topically for its pain relieving properties which activate nerve endings to produce counter-irritation, which distracts the brain from the painful stimuli.

Medicinal Properties of Cayenne Pepper Supplements

Cayenne pepper supplements can be used to help rheumatism, arthritis (osteo and rheumatoid), neuropathies, itching and frostbite. Cayenne increases circulation, both centrally and in the extremities. It does this by activating type “C’ neurons.

These neurons increase the contractility of the heart and dilate vessels. Cayenne’s circulatory effects are helpful for diabetic circulatory compromise, Meniere’s disease, heart disease and low blood pressure. In the stomach cayenne increases blood flow, decreases stomach spasms and causes a minor irritation of the stomach lining. This irritation is actually helpful because it stimulates the secretion of acid-protective mucus, which can heal ulcers.

Shopping For Quality Cayenne Pepper Supplements & Spices

Cayenne can be purchased as a spice in the grocery store for use in cooking. It can also be purchased at your health food store as an encapsulated powder or tincture. The strength of cayenne in the spice aisle is variable and depends on the initial quality of the herb and how long ago it was processed as the active ingredients in cayenne degrade over time.

Encapsulated powder or tinctures can be purchased as a standardized product, which assures that active ingredients are in the pepper and that you are taking in the same medicinal amount with each dose. Topically cayenne can be found in creams, salves and rubs, some of which are also standardized.

Cautions To Consider When Using Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne is an eye, wound and mucous membrane irritant so use caution when handling cayenne creams, salves, tinctures or open cayenne capsules. Cayenne decreases blood clotting and should not be used by those who are taking blood thinning medications or aspirin. Because cayenne increases circulation it can adversely affect blood pressure and may decrease the effectiveness of blood pressure medication. Cayenne may also alter the effect of the MAO inhibitor psychiatric drugs.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone that is produced in the adrenal gland and acts as a precursor to over 50 different hormones in the human body. As you age, your body produces less DHEA and researchers believe that low levels of DHEA can be a factor in the development of "old age" symptoms. Some of the most important hormones that DHEA can be converted to are the sex hormones, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Let's explore DHEA supplements and how you can keep these levels elevated. 

Key Health Benefits of DHEA

DHEA supplements may be beneficial for low libido, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity, loss of muscle mass, memory problems, blood clots, depression, and fatigue. By increasing muscle mass & energy, DHEA can also improve athletic performance. These effects are likely caused by increases in testosterone levels. 

Top Ways To Get More DHEA In Your Diet

Increasing DHEA Through Diet

There are several options to enhance the body's production of DHEA without taking DHEA supplements. By supporting the function of the adrenal gland the body can optimize its DHEA levels, relative to a person's age. Essential fatty acid and protein intake is important. Essential fatty acids, such as omega-3 fats, are used to make steroid molecules, the precursors to hormones like DHEA. Protein intake is also extremely important to reap the benefits of increased DHEA since protein is what the body uses to build muscle and repair tissue under the direction of hormones like DHEA.

Supplements For DHEA

Vitamins and minerals that support adrenal function include the B complex, especially B5, vitamin and zinc. Adaptogenic Herbs that support the adrenal gland, include all types of ginseng, astragalus, licorice, shiitake and maitake. Some herbs contain molecules that look like steroids and can similarly stimulate the body to hormones like DHEA. These herbs include Tribulus (puncture vine) and Damiana.

Cautions & Considerations of DHEA Supplements

DHEA is a restricted substance in Canada because it affects the levels of many hormones in the body. Large-scale human trials have not been conducted to assess the safety of this hormone in supplemental use. In other countries, it is found as encapsulated powder. Interestingly, another form of DHEA, known as 7-keto DHEA has some of the benefits of DHEA (weight loss, PMS, and cholesterol regulation), but does not convert into estrogen or testosterone and therefore has fewer contraindications than DHEA.

What is Taurine?

Taurine is called a non-essential amino acid, because it is not required in the diet so long as other protein is present. It can actually be manufactured by the body from the skeletons of other amino acids. Newborn infants are the exception to this rule because they have not yet established the pathways required for making this amino acid, and thus, they require dietary intake to meet their nutritional needs. In older children and adults, the body can still benefit from supplementation as well.

How Does Taurine Work in The Body?

Taurine plays an important role in the metabolism of proteins and neurotransmitters, and in digestion, and in cardiovascular health. The biologically active form of this amino acid is called L-taurine. Natural health practitioners recommend taurine for: heart disease, heart failure, high cholesterol, diabetes, hypoglycemia, epilepsy, anxiety, hyperactivity, and high blood pressure.

Nervous System

Interestingly, taurine can cross the blood-brain barrier, which allows it to directly affect the brain. It can act in the brain and body as a neurotransmitter that inhibits nerve impulses. This allows it to stop unwanted and excess nerve signals like those that cause seizures, hyperactivity and anxiety. Because of this, this amino acid is often added to energy drinks to help prevent the negative side effects of stimulation, such as anxiety, palpitations, and tremors.

Digestion and Weight Loss

Taurine is one of the main components of bile, the compound that is released into the intestine by the liver to help with the digestion of fatty meals. Bile acids emulsify fat and aid in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins in the digestive tract. Thus, healthy taurine levels are required for proper digestion. Supplementation with this amino acid for other reasons in research studies has been found to coordinate with a reduction in body weight in the same group. Thus, taurine may help promote weight loss in overweight individuals.

Antioxidant

Interestingly, taurine is also a strong antioxidant in the body that can help protect against the oxidative stress caused by exercise. It can also help to protect against the toxicity of heavy metals like lead and cadmium.

Heart Health and Cholesterol

In the heart muscle, taurine regulates contractions and prevents irregular heartbeats. It also regulates potassium levels, which helps to further ensure the regularity of the heartbeat. In addition to helping to regulate the nerve impulses to the heart, this amino acid can also help to reduce the production of apolipoprotein B100, which is one of the major components of VLDL and LDL (“bad” cholesterols). Thus, taurine intake can help to normalize cholesterol levels in the body and prevent cardiovascular disease. Supplementation with this nutrient has also been found to increase the force and effectiveness of heart contractions in those suffering from congestive heart failure.

Taurine Deficiency Signs and Symptoms

When there is not enough taurine in the body, excessive nerve impulses cannot be properly inhibited, and it can result in symptoms of seizures, hyperactivity, and anxiety. A deficiency of this amino acid also leads to damage in the photoreceptors of the eye and can eventually cause visual impairment. Taurine levels are found to be significantly lower in those following a vegetarian or vegan diet. Alcohol consumption can also significantly reduce levels of this amino acid in the body. If you have dietary restrictions or a prolonged intake of alcohol, supplementation with taurine is often advised.

How Can I Get More Taurine?

Taurine is naturally found in animal products, especially meat and seafood. It can also be commonly found as a supplemental powder or in capsules, as well as in formulas for heart health and energy drinks. It is often used with coenzyme Q10 and carnitine for supporting the heart. Take amino acid supplements at least 1/2 hour before or a few hours after a meal to maximize their absorption. If you take an individual amino acid supplement for longer than one month, add an amino acid complex to the protocol to prevent any deficiency of other amino acids.