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Bitter orange weight loss has been the subject of several research studies. It is believed that
the substance can promote mild weight loss when combined with exercise and diet features. Realistically, Bitter
orange weight loss, the risk of potentially serious problems with general health is strong enough that this product
should not be used. When you choose to entertain the risk of heart and blood pressure problems to avoid the
risk of obesity, it's not a good trade off. While the goal of weight loss is admirable, there are healthier methods
by which you can shed those unwanted pounds and ounces. There is no point in losing weight, only to suffer
dangerously high heart rates.
This citrus derivative is a supplement or herbal remedy that is formulated from the citrus tree known as
Citrus aureantium. The tree is also known as marmalade orange,
bigarade orange, sour orange or Seville orange. In the past, essential oils from the plant was used to create
flavorings and perfumes. Bitter orange weight loss, has a main use in herbal medicine as an appetite suppressant
and stimulant. This practice began after the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) banned the use of ephedra as a
weight loss tool. Ephedra is a stimulant that was often used in weight loss products. Substituting for ephedra,
as was done by several manufacturers only created some of the same worries about the lack of effectiveness and
potentially dangerous side effects.
When the bans on ephedra were placed, manufacturers of herbal supplements immediately set out to find a substance
that produced the same results, yet would be outside the restrictions on ephedra. They found the answer in citrus
aureantium. Yet, the citrus plant was found to have several of the same compounds that made ephedra so dangerous.
The ephedra substitute is as yet virtually untested, yet it has been linked to ischemic colitis, angina and
strokes. Using the words "ephedra free" on packaging of various herbal weight loss products by manufacturers only
continued the negative perception of herbal formulas by the public.
Even the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine admits that the evidence to support the claims
that these citrus products are less dangerous than ephedra doesn't exist. There is also no indication that they
actually provide weight loss results in those people who use the products. The recommendation to use other products
and methods from ephedra remains. The problem with bitter orange is two similar chemicals to those that have been
defined as posing a danger to dieters, especially those who have high blood pressure or who are on medication for
treatment of high blood pressure.
Both bitter orange and ephedra work by providing effects similar to those of stimulants. Two of the major chemicals
found in bitter orange are octopamine and synephrine. Each of these are similar to chemicals found in ephedra.
When you ingest the chemicals, it tends to increase your blood pressure and make your heart beat faster. Bitter
orange can cause you to have migraine headaches. You may develop a tendency to faint. Other users have deadly heart
attacks or disabling strokes. When another stimulant, caffeine, is included in the compound or formula for weight
loss, the danger is increased significantly.
Medications that have the effect of stimulants should not be taken with products containing bitter orange. The
bitter orange compounds can increase the level of stimulation and will also interfere with the medications that are
intended to lower high blood pressure. High blood pressure, if untreated, can result in strokes or aneurysms in the
brain or elsewhere in the body. Using bitter orange makes the results of the prescription medication and its
dosages invalid. Those with heart disease or high blood pressure should definitely avoid the use of this
substance.
Traditional Chinese medicines have long used the bitter orange products or extracts to treat congestion in the
chest and to improve the health of the gastrointestinal tract. It has been only relatively recently that the
product has been used as a weight loss substance. You can purchase pure extract of the plant or its immature fruit.
The extract focuses on the compound synephrine that has thermogenic qualities. You can obtain bitter orange extract
in pure form, but use it carefully. Never use it in combination with another product. Never take bitter orange if
you are under treatment for a heart condition or for high blood pressure.
Bitter orange is used as a flavoring in various ethnic dishes around the world. Tamil cuisine is
a good example. The unripe fruit is pickled with salt. The southern Indians consume the pickled fruit with thayir
sadam. They also use fresh fruit in pachadis. In Cuba, Nicaragua and Dominican foods, the juice from ripe bitter
orange is used as a marinade. As an ingredient in alcoholic beverages, parts of the citrus plant can be found in
Belgium and Norway. The peel is used as an ingredient making bitters.
The increase in usage of the citrus product as a dietary supplement for fat reduction has not been supported by the
facts regarding its safety and effectiveness. Chinese medicine never prescribed the product alone, but with other
herbs that helped to prevent some of the kinds of health problems that arise when it is used in isolation. The key
compounds of synephrine, octopamine and N-methyltyramine act on the adrenergic receptor that increases heart rate
and blood pressure. It also constricts blood vessels. These effects are virtually identical to the effects produced
in ephedra compounds.
When it comes to bitter orange weight loss, you probably should steer clear of self medication using this product.
If you have a Chinese herbalist, and you are not using any heart or blood pressure medications, cautious use could
be acceptable. Take only the recommended dose . You may want to only use half the dosage to begin with and monitor
your vital signs carefully. Never make an assumption that adding more of the compound will make the weight loss
process go more quickly. You would be better served by some of the other types of weight loss substances that are
found on the market today, ones that do not contain synephrine and similar products.
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