When the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned weight loss supplements that contained ephedra in 2004, a substitute ingredient that purportedly works similarly quickly took its place: bitter orange. Ephedra was taken off the market due to the health problems that arose from its use, and there's evidence that weight loss supplements that contain bitter orange are equally unsafe. Medical experts concur that using bitter orange for appetite control is extremely risky.
Bitter Orange Background
The bitter orange tree, or citrus aurantium, originally came from eastern Africa and the tropics of Asia, although it grows in the Mediterranean and parts of the United States, including Florida and California, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). The oil of the bitter orange has many common modern applications and is used in foods, cosmetics and aromatherapy. Bitter orange also has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine. However, bitter orange is also used in supplements for appetite control. Conversely, in complementary and alternative medicine, bitter orange is used to encourage loss of appetite -- as well as to treat heartburn and sinus congestion.
Bitter Orange Supplements
Bitter orange supplements for appetite control contain the dried fruit and peel, and sometimes the leaves and flowers, according to NCCAM. These supplements are sold in the form of tablets, capsules and extracts. The ingredients in bitter orange that purportedly make it valuable as a weight loss aid are synephrine and octopamine, says Mayo Clinic nutritionist Katherine Zeratsky. These ingredients are similar to those found in ephedra and have a stimulating effect on your system.
Does It Work?
Most studies on bitter orange have assessed its effect on weight loss, according to information on Drugs.Com. Although there's some evidence to suggest that bitter orange can help you lose a modest amount of weight if you watch what you eat and get regular physical activity, the potential safety risks make bitter orange an unwise choice as a weight loss aid, Zeratsky advises.
Bitter Orange Dangers
Bitter orange supplements can make your heartbeat quicken, and increase your blood pressure. NCCAM cautions that heart attack, fainting and stroke have been reported in healthy people who use bitter orange supplements, either alone or in combination with caffeine. Zeratsky also notes that bitter orange can cause migraines. These supplements can also interact with prescription and over-the-counter medications and cause serious health problems.
Other Cautions
Bitter orange supplements should be avoided as a weight loss aid. However, NCCAM lists certain populations who should take special care not to use bitter orange. Avoid bitter orange if you suffer from heart disease or hypertension or if you take medications that cause your heart rate to speed up -- this includes caffeine. Avoid bitter orange if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. As Zeratsky points out, just because a supplement claims to be "all natural" doesn't make it safe to use. Talk to your treating physician before taking bitter orange or another dietary supplement for appetite control.
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