Capsaicin reduces the radiation dose in prostate cancer therapy

Capsaicin is the chemical that gives chili peppers their heat. Capsaicin supplements increase calorie expenditure for several hours and may be useful as a weight loss supplement. Capsaicin works by increasing levels of the "fight or flight" hormone epinephrine (adrenaline), which accelerates the use of fat and stimulates metabolism.

Canadian scientists have found that capsaicin is effective in the treatment of prostate cancer. Capsaicin makes prostate cancer cells more sensitive so that lower doses of radiation are needed during treatment of the disease. It also suppressed prostate cancer cell growth in cell cultures grown in the laboratory.