Capsaicinoid Ingestion, Human Metabolism and Exercise (Phase 2)

The Physiological Effects of Capsaicinoid Ingestion on Human Metabolism and Exercise Performance

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. Owing to the fact that these changes are believed to be driven by catecholamine release and alterations in fat oxidation, there is growing belief that capsaicin may also offer potential ergogenic benefits (performance enhancement) during exercise, similar to the affect of caffeine, which works through similar pathways. 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.

Although there are some indications that capsaicinoid ingestion may alter factors associated exercise performance (such as increased fat oxidation for glucose sparing), to date these studies have primarily used very low exercise intensities wherein these effects are typically unnecessary, and results are not generalizable to the typical race intensities of endurance sport competition. Performance measures have also been a noticeably absent outcome from research to date.

Hypotheses: 1), Exercise performance will improve, at a level similar to those demonstrated for caffeine ingestion 2) ratings of perceived exertion will go down with the effect of causing intensity to go up 3) During sustained aerobic activity approaching the aerobic threshold alterations in substrate use will be minimal (but possibly meaningful in regard to performance); alterations at rest will be more pronounced. 4) acute alterations (6o min post single dose) in blood pressure, HRV, arterial stiffness and RMR will mirror the effects observed for more prolonged exposure in phase 1.

Study Overview

• Status: Withdrawn
• Conditions: Exercise; Metabolism
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: Capsaicin; Dietary supplement: Placebo

• Study Type: Interventional
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Canada
  • Prince Edward Island
    • Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, C1A4P3
      • UPEI

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 45 years (ADULT)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

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

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: OTHER
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Interventional Model: CROSSOVER
• Masking: DOUBLE

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
PLACEBO_COMPARATOR: Placebo	Dietary supplement: Placebo; Sugar capsule
EXPERIMENTAL: Capsaicin; Single Capsule, "Capsimax" 100 mg, ingested 60 min prior to exercise	Dietary supplement: Capsaicin; Other Names: Capsimax

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Performance	Exercise: Time to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer at controlled relative intensity	2 to 4 hours

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Substrate Use	Measurement of expired gases	2 to 4 hours

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Prince Edward Island
• Collaborators: OmniActive Health Technologies

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: June 1, 2014
• Primary Completion (ANTICIPATED): January 1, 2016
• Study Completion (ANTICIPATED): January 1, 2016

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 8, 2014
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 12, 2014
• First Posted (ESTIMATE): May 14, 2014

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (ACTUAL): June 22, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 16, 2022
• Last Verified: September 1, 2015

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Exercise
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Physiological Effects of Drugs; Peripheral Nervous System Agents; Sensory System Agents; Dermatologic Agents; Antipruritics; Capsaicin
• Other Study ID Numbers: OAHTCAPX-003-2014-2