SPICE UP YOUR METABOLISM

Call it nature’s outdated survival plan. When you cut calories, your body responds by slowing your metabolism to match calorie intake. And that prevents weight loss. But adding some spice to your nutrition plan could change the game.

Our prehistoric wiring

In times when humans lived as hunter-gatherers. Food availability was never a guarantee. This biological mechanism worked very well in supporting survival until the next meal could be found or caught. In fact, it was a distinct genetic advantage to have the ability to gain weight quickly.

Our modern environment

Of course today, thanks to supermarkets, drive-thrus, and other conveniences, finding food isn’t quite the challenge it used to be. Unfortunately, our genetic programming has not adapted to this new environment. It is still operating under the assumption that food is scarce and difficult to find. So the very same genes that once worked in our favor today work against us when it comes to losing weight.

While we can’t change this ancient programming, understanding this natural cycle is one key to understanding how to lose weight and keep it off and is a major focus of The Center for Medical Weight Loss philosophy. Our goal is to understand and work with the body’s natural tendencies to outsmart this “prehistoric” genetic programming.

Speeding up metabolism with spicy peppers

Learned and practiced behaviors serve as your best bet to speed up your metabolism even as you lose body weight. The primary way to do this is through a regular cardiovascular and strength training exercise routine. But what if adding something to your diet could give your metabolism an added metabolic boost?

Research has shown that a compound called capsaicin – found in foods like hot peppers – might just give you an edge in increasing your metabolism. By as much as an extra 50 calories per day! Capsaicin acts in thermogenesis, the process that increases your body’s temperature and energy expenditure (i.e., calorie burn).

The spicy hot pepper strategy

While the research supports adding hot peppers makes theoretical sense, we need to understand how to practically apply it. The reality is we would need to eat the equivalent of 10 hot peppers a day to achieve the desired outcome. Unless you have a cast-iron stomach and a taste for extra spicy foods, it could be very challenging to adopt this dietary change for the long term.

A practical alternative might be to use a supplement that offers the same benefits as capsaicin without negative side effects, such as acid reflux. There are many supplements on the market that claim to boost your metabolism with capsaicin, but it’s worth it to look for a quality brand. Capsiate Gold is an example of an evidence-based, prescription-level supplement that uses a synthetic version of capsaicin. You can find it only through medical provider offices, which gives it an extra stamp of approval.

Part of a holistic plan

While we’d like to believe a simple hot pepper supplement can take care of our metabolism-boosting goals, it’s unfortunately not that simple. Just like any prescription or supplement, you need to practice the proven behaviors that keep your weight in check. That means eating foods high in lean protein and fiber as well as whole-grain carbohydrates. You need to include physical activity in your plan every day. That means going to the gym or just climbing a set of stairs. And of course, drink plenty of fresh water!

Again, weight problems are multifaceted. There will never be one magic solution that effortlessly melts fat away (including GLP-1 medication). The reality is people with a genetic tendency to gain weight will always have to work hard to counter this programming. With the right tools like a capsaicin supplement and a medically proven weight loss program, you can defy your genetic programming to thrive in the modern world.