Bitter Orange Weight Loss

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 rate.

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 is as an appetite suppressant and stimulant. This practice begin 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 is 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 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.