After trying out a plethora of crash diets and supplements that promise quick meltdown of flab, obese individuals are bound to look out for slimming or diet pills that can safely remove fat, but do not prevent them from consuming a hearty meal at the same time.

Scientists have now come up with a slimming pill made from hot peppers and capsicum that they claim can burn the fat away while you sit at your desk. Called Capsiplex, this pill is popular amongst Hollywood celebrities with media rumors saying Jennifer Lopez, Brad Pitt and even Britney Spears have used it.

"For decades, scientists have known about the weight-loss potential of red-hot peppers. The problem has been the ability to consume such a highly concentrated amount, but we have overcome this by putting a protective coating on the ingredients which stops any gastric irritation," a spokesman for Capsiplex said in a released statement.

In randomized clinical trials at the University of Oklahoma, subjects assigned to take Capsiplex burned 278 more calories before, during and after undertaking vigorous exercise as compared to those on placebo. In other words, a chili pill can burn as much calories as undertaking a 80-minute walk or a 25-minute jog does.

The theory behind Capsiplex is that hot peppers and capsicum contain ingredients, which speed up the body's metabolism and help lose weight quickly. Many studies have already revealed the potential of capsicum and hot peppers in reducing weight, but Capsiplex is the first drug that has been successful in formulating the beneficial ingredients of chilies in a pill form.

Excess weight is one of the most vexing issues to face individuals in the 21st century. As awareness of the health problems associated with obesity began to increase, so did the ways to shed those extra pounds. Obesity is a dangerous condition which pre-disposes people to the development of heart disease, cancer and diabetes or the so-called lifestyle diseases.

The World Health Organization has declared obesity as a global epidemic having major health implications in 1997. It estimated that some 2 billion people worldwide are obese or overweight.

With the arrival of Capsiplex, fighting flab and gaining health may be a lot easier. A monthly supply of the pills costs just about £29.99 or Rs 2,000.