ABSTRACT
Sedentary/inactive lifestyle leads middle-aged and older adults to metabolic syndrome and frailty. Capsinoids from nonpungent chili pepper cultivar have been reported to reduce body fat mass, promote metabolism, and improve unidentified complaints of chills. Additionally, they have an anti-inflammation effect; therefore, we hypothesized that continuous oral ingestion of capsinoids alleviates age-related inflammation in the brain and improves the physical activity (PA) in middle-aged and older adults. In our double-blind human study, 69 participants (17 male, 52 female; mean age: 74.1 ± 7.7 years; range: 52-87 years) were administered either 9 mg of capsinoids which were extracted from pepper fruit variety CH-19 Sweet (Capsicum anuum L.) (CP group), or a placebo (PL group) daily over a 3 month period. In an animal study, PA and inflammation-related mRNA expression in the brain were examined in 5-week (young) and 53-week (old) aged mice fed a diet with or without 0.3% dihydrocapsiate, a type of capsinoids, for 12 weeks. In a human study, capsinoids intake did not increase the amount of light-to-moderate PA less than 6.0 metabolic equivalents (METs) (CP: 103.0 ± 28.2 at baseline to 108.2 ± 28.3 at 12 weeks; PL: 104.6 ± 19.8 at baseline to 115.2 ± 23.6 at 12 weeks, METs × hour/week); however, in participants exhibiting an inactive lifestyle, it showed significant increase (CP: 84.5 ± 17.2 at baseline to 99.2 ± 24.9 at 12 weeks; PL: 99.7 ± 23.3 at baseline to 103.8 ± 21.9 at 12 weeks). The energy expenditure in physical activity also improved in the inactive CP group (CP: 481.2 ± 96.3 at baseline to 562.5 ± 145.5 at 12 weeks; PL: 536.8 ± 112.2 at baseline to 598.6 ± 127.6 at 12 weeks; kcal/day). In all participants, CP showed reduced waist circumference, percent body fat, and visceral fat volume; in addition, chills were eased in subjects aged 80 years and older. The older mice fed capsinoids showed increased locomotion activity, decreased inflammation, and oxidative stress in the brain. The results suggest that the continuous oral ingestion of capsinoids gains PA through anti-inflammation effect in the brain as well as reduces fat accumulation and chills in inactive and older humans.
Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/administration & dosage , Body Composition/drug effects , Capsicum , Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes/drug therapy , Exercise/physiology , Plant Extracts/administration & dosage , Adipose Tissue/drug effects , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Animals , Brain/drug effects , Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes/physiopathology , Double-Blind Method , Energy Metabolism/drug effects , Female , Humans , Intra-Abdominal Fat/drug effects , Japan , Male , Mice , Middle Aged , Sedentary BehaviorABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Physical activity level (PAL) is associated with all-cause mortality in the elderly. However, few studies have attempted to clarify the relationship between lifestyle and PAL in the elderly. This study aimed to examine the determinants of PAL in the elderly in terms of behavioral patterns and exercise intensity, and to validate the simplified physical activity record (sPAR). METHODS: Thirty healthy, elderly individuals, aged 64-87 years, participated in the study. Total energy expenditure (TEEDLW), physical activity energy expenditure (PAEEDLW), and PAL (PALDLW) were calculated based on doubly labeled water (DLW) and measured basal metabolic rate. Physical activity was recorded using the sPAR. RESULTS: PALDLW was significantly correlated with PAL estimated by sPAR (r = 0.588, P < 0.001). Good agreement was observed between TEEDLW (1,860 ± 373 kcal/day) and TEE estimated by sPAR (1,854 ± 377 kcal/day) (r = 0.825, P < 0.001). Good agreement was also observed between PAEEDLW (552 ± 242 kcal/day) and PAEE estimated by sPAR (562 ± 240 kcal/day) (r = 0.666, P < 0.001). The high PALDLW group had significantly shorter durations of 'sleeping time and rest periods' and 'daily life sedentary activities', and significantly longer durations of 'bicycling with moderate speed', 'housekeeping with standing', 'gymnastics, tai chi, stretching' and "swimming, hill climbing, fast jogging" than the low PAL group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The sPAR provides valid estimates of TEE and PAEE in the healthy elderly. The results suggest that engaging in housekeeping or sports activities for longer and being less sedentary may increase PALDLW in healthy elderly individuals.