How does Bioperine® work?
The metabolic process that generates energy at the cellular level in the human body is called thermogenesis.
Though thermogenesis has been identified as a key factor in maintaining weight loss,
it has also been identified as playing an integral role in utilizing the daily food and nutrients that the
human body consume s. It sets in motion the mechanisms that lead to digestion and subsequent
gastrointestinal absorption. Piperine, in the patented form of Bioperine®enhances the body's natural
thermogenic activity - hence the term Thermonutrient®.
This enhancement may be explained as a means of increasing the thermal energy sufficient to
"power up" the mechanism related to thermogenesis. This in turn results in increased metabolic
processes that creates a "demand" for "supply" of a broad range of nutrients that contribute to metabolism,
i.e. vitamins, minerals, herbals, amino acids, etc. It is as if Bioperine® activates a metabolic
paddle wheel, of sorts, that selectively provides a more efficient mode of nutrient
transportation into the blood.
Bioperine does enhance absorption, but this explanation is just BS.
this better?
A thermonutrient such as BioPerine would potentially improve the process of nutrient absorption by
enhancing thermogenesis. The leading theory of food-induced thermogenesis relates to the autonomous
nervous system. The autonomous nervous system is represented by two main receptors in the
gastrointestinal tract, the alpha and beta adrenergic receptors.
Most of the food or thermonutrient-induced thermogenesis is facilitated by beta receptors, which
include a compound known as cyclic adenosine 3’, 5’ monophosphate (cAMP). The role of cAMP as a
"second messenger" to the hormonal and enzymatic actions in the body is well recognized. When
thermogenesis occurs, the demand for fresh nutrients to sustain the metabolic processes rapidly
increases.
Piperine has been found in independent studies to stimulate the release of catecholamines, thermogenic
hormones whose action is made possible by the presence of cAMP. However, the nature of the
thermogenic response mediated by catecholamines is relatively short-lived. Therefore the window of
opportunity for piperine-induced thermogenesis and enhanced nutrient absorption is narrow.
These thermogenic properties may explain how a small amount of BioPerine(5 mg) can afford such a
profound effect on serum nutrient levels (as shown in our studies on water soluble, fat soluble and
botanical ingredients). It is possible that when piperine is ingested, it has a localized thermogenic
effect on epithelial cells which increase the uptake of nutrients.
Other mechanisms by which piperine stimulates nutrient absorption have also been discussed in
literature. These include increased micelle formation, stimulation of active transport of amino acids
(gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase), and epithelial cell wall modification due to the affinity of piperine
towards fats and fatty substances.
In view of these findings it is proposed that piperine ingested in relatively small amounts would act as
a thermonutrient. Localized thermogenic action on the epithelial cells would in turn increase the rate of
absorption of supplemented nutrient(s)