Piperine Information

Piperine is an alkaloid like morphine, nicotine, or even cocaine. Alkaloids can be poisonous or possess medicinal attributes. It is a good alkaloid as it has medicinal attributes that are very beneficial to one's health.

This nutrient is also found in black pepper and botanically related plants. The uses of it range from medicinal uses to, of course, culinary uses in the Western world.

Therapeutic Benefits

Beyond its use as a condiment and in cooking, as contained in black pepper it is actually classified by many naturopaths as a very potent herb with many uses.

Its benefits are substantial as it enhances the assimilation of other key nutrients including beta-carotene, selenium, vitamin B6, curcumin, amino acids, and even blood sugar (glucose).

Its benefits also range from improving digestion to helping with asthma complications, to improving stomach ulceration, as an inflammatory agent (something of keen interest to osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis sufferers), and in serotonin production.

In fact, piperine and serotonin together seem to play a role in mood enhancement. Additionally,the piperine found in black pepper extract was found in a 1994 study to reduce cigarette craving by inhaling the vapor.

It's even been widely reported that piperine and weight loss are also linked in that many believe this nutrient of black pepper has thermogenic properties (weight loss capability). Is this true or exaggeration? yes and no is the answer.

Studies have proven that piperine does increase thermogenic activity as it increases the body's metabolic rate, which does help weight loss, but to canonize it as a weight loss aid is exaggeration at this point and requires more studies to validate that premise.

The link between piperine and weight loss exists as it does increase the body's metabolic rate with more fat burning activity. In time, it's possible this nutrient will be a weight loss staple.

Piperine Extract Cancer

Let's discuss the piperine extract cancer connection. Some studies show promise with regards to cancer research and piper-ine. Rodent studies have shown a reduction in symptoms relating to various cancers, but at this juncture, more study needs to be conducted before the piperine extract cancer connection is canonized. An Aside.

In this 21st century, many Westerners have been bred to expect instant results. Our view is that there is no magic pill that will "cure cancer" or any other degenerative disease as there are simply too many factors involved. I believe one can reverse cancer, but there are many factors involved, i.e., diet, visualization, lifestyle change, etc. This nutrient may in time appear to be a panacea, but we predict it will be a part of the solution, not THE solution.

The Serotonin Connection

The Piperine and Serotonin connection.... Serotonin is a pain-relieving neurotransmitter and a mood enhancer. Many researchers postulate that piperine may help enhance the production of serotonin in the brain. In addition, studies have been shown that it does help the body assimilate various nutrients as mentioned in the first section of this page.

A study was done in New Jersey to investigate if it could enhance absorption of beta-carotene.The results showed 5mg/day dose of piper-ine taken with 15mg of beta-carotene resulted in a 60% increase in beta-carotene levels compared with a placebo. This nutrient has gained in popularity in the West (it's been used in the Orient for centuries as a therapeutic agent) for its robust anti-inflammatory properties. Rheumatoid arthritis patients and others

Precautions & Recommendations

Some general precautions: Any pregnant and/or nursing women should always get doctor approval before taking any kind supplement or potent nutrient. If you're taking medication as well, it's advised you talk to a doctor before you do so as prescription medications can wrongfully intermingle with them. Overall, it appears to be safe.

Of course, anything used to excess can be harmful. Err on the side of caution. If using black pepper as an herbal, it's recommended using it fresh by buying peppercorns and grinding it fresh. Store bought pepper may have preservatives added to it for shelf life or to keep vermin out. Also, if possible, don't heat it as heating it changes the molecular structure quickly making it inorganicand an irritant to the kidney, liver, and gall bladder organs.

Improve Your Health With Black Pepper

 Ayurvedic medicine, black pepper is regarded as a warming tonic herb, and is used to stimulate appetite, enhance digestion, and to ease digestive disorders such as flatulence, diarrhea, and indigestion. In addition, black pepper is recommended as an immune stimulant, blood purifier, weight loss aid, and for treating colds and upper respiratory disorders. Traditional Chinese medicine also values the warming properties of black pepper, and uses it to treat symptoms of digestive “cold” with symptoms of abdominal pain and diarrhea. Not surprisingly, Western herbal medicine recognizes the warming properties of black pepper, and recommends it for improving digestion, enhancing circulation, relieving coughs and colds, and clearing congestion.

The warming spiciness of black pepper is attributed to the chemical compound piperine, which appears to be the primary constituent responsible for the wide variety of health benefits. I find it intriguing that piperine is also a bio-enhancer, which means that it improves the bioavailability of herbal and nutritional compounds. In studies, piperine has been shown to improve the absorption of cucurmin (from turmeric) by an astounding 154 percent in humans, due to an inhibition of glucuronidation and the slowing of gastrointestinal transit (Shoba G, et al., 1998). In the same way, piperine has been shown to enhance the bioavailability of epigallocatechin gallate from green tea (Lambert JD, et al., 2004), resveratrol (Johnson J, et al., 2012), and coenzyme Q10 by 30% (Badmeav, V, et al., 2000).

Increasing the bioavailabilty of medicinal botanicals has significant importance in the development of effective treatments for cancer. For example, in research published in the journal Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, scientists at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center reported that curcumin and piperine help to inhibit the growth of stem cells that fuel breast cancer (Kakarala M, et al., 2009). This is important, because as the researchers explain: “The cancer stem cell hypothesis asserts that malignancies arise in tissue stem and/or progenitor cells through the dysregulation or acquisition of self-renewal.”

According to this hypothesis, the recurrence of cancer after chemotherapy is due to the ineffectiveness of the drugs against cancer stem cells. Accordingly, eliminating cancer stem cells and reducing the amount of normal stem cells could decrease cancer risk. The researchers compared the effects of varying concentrations of curcumin and piperine, alone and in combination, to a control substance administered to cultured breast epithelial cells. The amounts of curcumin and piperine used were the equivalent of approximately 20 times the potency of what could be consumed through diet alone.

The researchers found a reduction in markers for breast stem cells in cultures treated with the lowest concentration of curcumin, and complete inhibition at twice that concentration. Piperine also demonstrated an inhibitory property, although the effects were not as pronounced as those elicited by curcumin. However, the addition of piperine to curcumin resulted in a reduction in stem cells that was greater than either agent alone, while having no deleterious effect on normal cell development or viability. This report is the first to conclude that curcumin and bioperine could help prevent cancer by targeting stem cells. This mechanism has the potential to prevent estrogen-sensitive tumors as well as more aggressive non-estrogen dependent cancers.

The anti-cancer protective effects of turmeric and black pepper in the culinary traditions of populations are observational, but intriguing. It appears that cultures that consume large amounts of these two botanicals daily in curries and other preparations like tandoori, masala, and sambals, have remarkably low levels of cancers. To take advantage of the health benefits and culinary pleasures of these healing botanicals, I recommend seasoning food with freshly cracked black peppercorns (fresh grinding preserves the volatile beneficial oils) and enjoying turmeric often in the form of curries and other recipes that use curry spice blends. As a medical herbalist, I also utilize the findings of modern medical research by adding piperine to botanical formulas to greatly increase the delivery and absorption of nutrients.

Health Benefits of Black Pepper

Native to tropical rain forests, the health benefits of black pepper are still being explored but is linked to potential weight loss, improved digestion and with turmeric to strong anti-cancer properties as well assisting with quitting smoking in vapor form.

The health benefits of black pepper (Piper nigrum) are substantial and still being investigated.  The peppercorn is native to tropical rain forests in Indonesia, and comes from the peppercorn plant. The peppercorn is actually a berry but is often categorized as a spice due to the way it is used in cooking. This plant, a perennial climbing vine, will require the use of a pole to reach its full growth potential. It will not produce fruit for as long as four years after planting. Often peppercorns are harvested when they are nearly matured and ready to turn red in color. White peppercorns, the result of berries that have fully ripened, which are then soaked to remove the dark, outer shell, revealing a white pepper seed on the inside. Not only has pepper become a popular spice that sits next to salt on the table, but there are many black pepper health benefits that can be utilized.

Health Benefits of Black Pepper

Black peppers digestive benefits are caused by stimulating taste buds which increases the amount of hydrochloric acid that the stomach produces. This additional secretion improves digestion of food once it reaches the stomach. This is one of the most notable attributes of black pepper. This increase in acid is effective in decreasing the amount of intestinal gas, reducing the embarrassing side effect of passing gas along with preventing constipation and heartburn. Because of its ability to eliminate the bacteria in the stomach, black pepper is also thought of as an antibacterial agent.

Black pepper, rich in antioxidants, effectively controls blood pressure and heart rate with its high level of potassium. Pepper is also high in iron which is essential in the production of healthy blood cells. Peppercorns contain vitamin A and vitamin C and are also rich in other antioxidants such as carotenes which work to help the body fight cancers and other diseases.

The health benefits of black pepper are thought to extend to it being a cancer fighting agent.  Piperine, found in peppercorns, effectively counteracts the development of cancer. This particular chemical works by interfering with the mechanism in cancer cells that allows tumors to progress in size. When combined, the anti-cancer health benefits of turmeric and black pepper are multiplied greatly.

Medical Uses

Piperine, a phytochemical, increases metabolism which effectively increases the calories that the body can burn helping with weight loss. This phytochemical also increases the body’s ability to absorb other nutrients such as vitamin B and beta-carotene.

Black pepper benefits extend to it’s effective prevention of the retention of water. Pepper in the diet promotes the eradication of extra fluids by sweating and urination.

Quitting an unhealthy cigarette habit is possible with the help of black pepper. Studies have shown that the use of cigarette replacement products that emit a vapor containing black pepper effectively reduces cravings and assist the user in being able to quit smoking.

Creating a tea made of black pepper, when used in combination with other foods can create a home remedy for coughs. Popular remedies that are said to work include both the black pepper tea or sprinkling black pepper on a half of a lemon and sucking on it to calm a cough.

Black Pepper Essential Oil

For external use, black pepper oil serves many benefits to your health. When added to carrier oil such as jojoba, it can be rubbed into sore, tired muscles to relax and soothe them. The warming effect from the pepper can work to relieve the pain from arthritis. It also soothes cramps, sprains and pulled muscles. For acne prone skin it works well to reduce and eliminate breakouts. Black pepper essential oil contains both vitamin A and K making it ideal for skin that it is subject to developing fine lines or wrinkles. It also improves circulation and helps to effectively reduce visible cellulite.

Risks of Black Pepper

Although the increased secretion of hydrochloric acid provides digestion benefits for most people, in some in can cause the opposite effect, resulting in the loss of potassium. For some, this increased production may also result in gastric bleeding.

Some studies have indicated that piperine may be a carcinogen although other studies have indicated that it is not. In some instances, this chemical has had an adverse effect on sperm and may interfere with the process of reproduction. Large amounts of black pepper when used during pregnancy have been shown to cause miscarriages in some cases.

Medications including lithium may interact badly with black or white pepper and use should be avoided by patients on these medications. Patients that are taking certain medications that are broken down by the liver can see an increase in the side effects of these drugs when combined with large amounts of pepper.

Buying Black Pepper and Proper Storage

To ensure the purest pepper, it is often recommended to choose peppercorns versus the previously ground pepper. Grinders can form a center piece and talking point of your dining table and come in anything from thenormal and very functional to the hugely elaborate.  When making a purchase of fresh peppercorns for your grinder, choose peppercorns that are round, heavy and look compact.

Store peppercorns at room temperature. Once it has been milled, or ground into powder, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If powdered pepper has been purchased, for best results store it in the same manner.

Cooking Uses

One of the most versatile spices, pepper is used in nearly every aspect of cooking. To ensure the best flavor and fragrance, grind at the last minute, just as you are preparing the recipe. It should also be added at the last minute to prevent the loss of the flavorful and fragrant essential oils.

Pepper can be used in a number of recipes and dishes including marinades, pickle recipes, soups and barbecue sauces. Pepper may often be found as an ingredient in sweet foods including pies and fruitcakes to add a spicy element to the recipe.

As with any food product, there are some risks or side effects that everyone should be aware of. Unless a person has an allergy to pepper, there is only a small risk of any problems.  Essentially the benefits of pepper greatly outweigh the risks for the majority of the population and most people can enjoy the health benefits of black pepper without any risk or concerns to their health. 

Health And Sex Benefits Of Piperine

Mother Nature gives us everything we need to stay sexually healthy. Why opt for a prescription of Viagra or Cialis when you can boost your sex drive naturally, and reap many other health benefits as well? Take the case of piperine.

Piperine is classified as an alkaloid from Piper nigrum, the fruit from the black pepper plant. This is what gives pepper its spiciness. It’s been long-used in Ayurveda to treat and manage many diseases and illnesses. Though a pepper corn may not sound like much, the potential health and sex benefits of this natural herb are many.

Weight Loss

If you’re trying to drop a few pounds piperine may be able to help. When taken in pill form this natural product increases thermogenic activity in the body, boosting the metabolism.  It’s no secret that a sluggish metabolism won’t burn fat or calories efficiently and will cause you to gain weight.

Cancer

Some studies done in India have shown that piperine may suppress induced cancer tumors in mice and actually shrink tumors as well. Of course, more studies need to be done, especially when it comes to preventing or reversing cancer in humans, but the studies do seem promising.

Pain Reduction

The properties in piperine act as a natural anti-inflammatory and may relieve pain, especially for those who are dealing with arthritis or other forms of chronic inflammation.  In some cases it even worked better than morphine, and without the negative side-effects.

Sex Drive Booster

Okay, now we’re getting to the good stuff. How does piperine help boost your sex drive? Piperine is both a stimulant and a nervine. When taking a supplement that contains piperine it stimulates activity in the brain that controls circulation and respiration, and releases those feel-good chemicals called endorphins, thereby heightening your sex drive. Since it can improve circulation it may help with erectile dysfunction as well.

Piperine may also work as an anti-depressant and muscle relaxant. No, it won’t make your erections fail, but it will relax away the day’s stress so you’re more in the mood for sex. Top this off with the fact that it’s been shown to increase serotonin levels—more feel-good chemicals—and this is surely a hot sex plant.

Piperine can help in so many areas, so why not give it a try and see how it works for you. You may find that your health improves and your sex drive is back in action.  Piperine is usually used in combination with other supporting herbs in natural male enhancement supplements.

[ from http://www.maleenhancementblog.com/blog/health-and-sex-benefits-of-piperine/]