Bitter orange is a supplement that some people turn to for weight loss, according to Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D. from Mayo Clinic. This herbal treatment is an alternative to ephedra, which is banned in many countries including the United States. Bitter orange is a traditional Chinese treatment for nausea, indigestion and constipation. Talk to your doctor about proper dieting practices and how a supplement such as bitter orange, which has similar negative effects as ephedra, may affect your health.
Bitter Orange
Bitter Orange, Citrus aurantium, is the fruit from a tree native to Africa and Asia. The National Institutes of Health reports that modern-day versions grow in California and Florida. Producers dry the fruit, skin and plant components to create extracts, oils and dietary supplements. Even though bitter orange may seem like a natural approach to weight loss, some chemicals in the supplements may put you at risk for stroke or heart attack.
Similarity to Ephedra
One concern that comes up with bitter orange products is the similarity to another dangerous supplement. In 2004, the U.S. FDA banned the sale of any product containing the herb ma huang, which is more commonly known as ephedra. Ma huang contains two chemicals that may cause serious side effects in some people -- ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. A comparison of bitter orange and ephedra shows a remarkably similar chemical makeup. The elements are not exactly the same, but the molecular structure of two key chemicals in bitter orange, synephrine and octopamine, act similarly to the dangerous factors in ephedra.
Risks
The similarity of chemical compounds means that bitter orange presents that same threat as ephedra. Bitter orange is a stimulant that will increase the heart rate and cause an increase in blood pressure. Combined with other stimulants, such as caffeine, bitter orange can cause stroke or heart attack. If taken with some prescription medications or by a person with a heart problem, this increase may be fatal.
Expert Insight
There is no magic herb that is going to lead to weight loss. Regardless of the creative masks some marketers put on products like bitter orange, you can still only lose weight by creating a calorie deficient. The way to do this is through diet management and exercise. The potential benefit you may see from taking herbal supplements such as bitter orange or ephedra pale in comparison to the risk to your health. Talk to your doctor before taking any dietary supplement. Many supplements interfere with prescription medication. The prevailing medical opinion regarding bitter orange is that it may be unsafe. The risk factor grows exponentially if you have a chronic illness, take medication or have an undiagnosed heart problem.
References
- CNNHealth.com; Is bitter Orange Extract a Safer Diet Pill Alternative?; Dr. Melina Jampolis
- Mayo Clinic; Bitter orange weight-loss supplements: Do They Work?; Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.; 2009
- National Institutes of Health; Bitter Orange; 2010
- "Phytotherapy Research;" The Safety of Citrus aurantium (Bitter Orange) and its Primary Protoalkaloid p-Synephrine; SJ Stohs, HG Preuss, M. Shara; 2011
- Mayo Clinic; Ephedra Ephedra Sinica Ma Huang; 2011
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