Bioperine® Pepper Extract: Boosts Absorption, Enhances Bioavailability
What is Bioperine® and why is in your favorite fat burner?
That’s a good question. You don’t have to look too far to find Bioperine® gracing the labels of many fat burners on the market today. Products like Lipo 6, Fizogen’s The Burn, Lipoxinol, Tight and Lean System 7 (one of the few products we actually recommend on this site) all contain Bioperine® within their formulas.
And Bioperine®, a patented extract of the black pepper and long pepper berries harvested in India, is there for good reason.
Bioperine®’s value is that it has been established to enhance the bioavailibility of certain supplements through increased absorption.
In other words, when combined with Bioperine®, numerous vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants are more efficiently absorbed by the body.
One particular study (see Nutrition Research (1999):19(3) 381-388) revealed that when Bioperine® was administered with beta carotene, it resulted in a 60% increase in blood plasma levels of beta carotene over the control group.
Another one (see J Nutr Biochem. 2000 Feb;11(2):109-13) showed Bioperine® boosted plasma levels of coenzyme Q10 after supplementation.
Because of its ability to create enhanced and more efficient means of nutrient transportation into the bloodstream, Bioperine® may have an positive effect on thermogenesis, which would lead to a slightly elevated metabolism.
That notwithstanding, Bioperine®’s real, proven value is in its ability to enhance the absorption of various nutrients — and that is the main benefit it provides to any fat burner compilation.
It should be noted, however, that Bioperine’s presence in certain supplements could be a double-edged sword, particularly if you are taking prescription medications. Some animal research suggests piperine (the active compound in Bioperine) may affect the pharmacokinetics of oral drugs as well. If you are taking one or more prescription drugs, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking Bioperine (or any other dietary supplement, for that matter).
