Nutrients improve metabolic efficiency
Capsaicinoids boost metabolic rate
At rest, the body burns about 60 percent of total calories per day. Doctors thought if they could increase the resting metabolic rate, participants would lose more weight.
In this study, 40 men and women took a placebo or 2 mg of capsaicinoids per day while doctors remotely measured energy expenditure and heart rate at rest through a tracking device at one, two, and three hours.
After five months, while the placebo group had not changed, those taking capsaicin had an increased metabolic rate equal to burning an extra 116 calories per day, and losing one pound of fat over 30 days. There were no differences in heart rate in either group.
Vitamin C improves metabolic measures 
In this study, doctors measured vitamin C levels in 369 adults age 50 and found most fell below the adequate level of 50 micromoles of vitamin C per liter of blood.
Those with higher vitamin C levels tended to have lower weight, body mass index scores, triglycerides, long-term average blood sugar levels, and smaller waist size. Doctors also found a direct link: as vitamin C levels increased, signs of mild cognitive impairment decreased.
Even though participants got an average of 110 mg of vitamin C per day—which should have provided adequate vitamin C levels—many participants had inadequate levels, possibly due to factors such as chronic health conditions.
Commenting on the findings, doctors said that consuming more fruits, vegetables, and vitamin C supplements in particular is important for people in this age group.
Reference: Advances in Nutrition; 2017, Vol. 8, No. 5, Published Online
Natural Insights for Well Being February 2018
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