Lipid-Lowering Efficacy of the Capsaicin in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
What this study found
Capsaicin supplementation may improve lipid profiles in patients with metabolic syndrome, with the clearest benefits for total cholesterol and LDL-C. Overall, there were no significant effects on triglycerides or HDL-C, although subgroup analyses suggested triglyceride lowering in women and in interventions lasting less than 12 weeks. Across the included trials, no publication bias was detected, but heterogeneity was present. The evidence suggests capsaicin could be a complementary approach for dyslipidemia, but larger high-quality trials are still needed.
- Study & population
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of 9 randomized controlled trials in 461 participants, with 227 assigned to capsaicin and 234 to control.
- Intervention
- Capsaicin supplementation was tested against placebo across 9 randomized controlled trials, using a range of formulations and doses, including METABO (4 capsules/day), KCJ (3,200 mg/day), capsaicin 135 mg/day, capsaicin 25 mg/day, capsaicinoid 2 mg/day or 4 mg/day, and capsaicin 5 mg/day.
- Key limitation
- The evidence is limited by heterogeneity across trials, including differences in population, capsaicin formulation, dose, and intervention duration.
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Open PDFOriginal abstract
Background Patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) have increased cardiovascular risk. Capsaicin (CAP) has been shown to reduce lipids, but efficacy for patients with MetS is unknown. Methods A systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines, to compare the effects of CAP against a placebo. Differences in the weight mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were then pooled using a random effects model. Results Nine randomized controlled trials including 461 patients were identified in the overall analysis. CAP significantly decreased total cholesterol (TC) (WMD = −0.48, 95% CI: −0.63 to −0.34, I2= 0.00%) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (WMD = −0.23, 95% CI: −0.45 to −0.02, I2 = 68.27%) among patients with MetS. No significant effects of CAP were found on triglycerides (TG) or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (WMD = −0.40, 95% CI: −1.50 to 0.71, I2 = 98.32%; WMD = −0.08, 95% CI: −0.21 to 0.04, I2 = 86.06%). Subgroup analyses indicated that sex and intervention period were sources of heterogeneity. The results revealed that CAP decreased TG levels in women (WMD = −0.59, 95% CI: −1.07 to −0.10) and intervention period <12 weeks (WMD = −0.65; 95% CI: −1.10 to −0.20). And there was no potential publication bias according to funnel plot, Begg' test and Egger regression test. Conclusions CAP supplementation is a promising approach to decreasing TC and LCL-C levels in patients with MetS. However, short-term (<12 weeks) use of CAP in women may also reduce TG levels. Systematic Review Registration Identifier: CRD42021228032.