Bitter orange and weight loss

Can one lose weight with Bitter orange?

Many people are buying bitter orange in bulk in the hope that it can help with weight loss. Bitter orange (citrus aurantium) has been in the news ever since ephedra was taken off the market for health concerns.

People who take bitter orange claim that is it a great alternative to ephedra and works well for weight loss; however, there is no clear evidence that it does in fact reduce weight.

Recent studies indicate that while bitter orange may work in a few individuals, it is also associated with similar side effects like ephedra. Extracts of the bitter orange plant have revealed two potent chemicals called synephrine and octopamine. Both these compounds are very similar in their activity to ephedrine in ephedra.

Experts claim that excess ingestion of these substances can increase blood pressure, alter heart rate and rhythm and can even induce heart attacks, strokes and even sudden death.

More over bitter orange can also interfere with many pharmaceutical drugs leading to adverse side effects.

The problem with bitter orange is that it is listed as a health food supplement and does not undergo the rigorous testing that is required of pharmaceutical drugs. Further, many potent and toxic substances found in the product are not even listed on the label. For this reason, many people who take bitter orange are prone to developing side effects and dangerous complications. Individuals who have heart disease, high blood pressure or problems with their heart rate should avoid bitter orange. While some individuals may lose weight with bitter orange this is not a universal finding. The best and surest way to lose weight is to eat less and walk more. This may not sound too appealing but it definitely works and is a lot cheaper than any health supplement.