Bitter Orange For Weight Loss
After the US Food and Drug Administration banned the use of ephedra-based dietary supplements or weight loss pills, bitter orange has emerged as a safer alternative to ephedra for supporting weight loss.
Bitter orange is a type of citrus fruit. The fruit is traditionally used in cooking. In traditional Chinese medicine, bitter orange is blended with several herbs to promote weight loss. Nowadays, bitter orange extract is sold as weight loss supplements.
How bitter orange helps weight loss
Bitter orange is believed to share the weight loss properties of ephedra. Octopamine and synephrine, two active ingredients found in bitter orange, are powerful stimulants that can promote weight loss by pushing up the metabolism rate of the body.
Some studies have suggested that moderate weight loss could occur when bitter orange is included in the diet. However, bitter orange alone might not help you to attain your target body weight. For healthy weight loss with minimal side affects, you should stick to a nutritious low calorie diet and regular workouts.
Some fitness experts claim that for best results bitter orange should be combined with St. John’s wort and caffeine. However, it is always advisable to consult your physician before taking three powerful stimulants together.
Bitter orange dose
To lose weight, you can have 2 to 3 ml of bitter orange tincture daily, until you reach your target body weight. You can also prepare a bitter orange decoction by simmering one to two grams of dried bitter orange in a cup of water for about 10 to 15 minutes. To lose weight, you should drink three cups of the bitter orange decoction daily.
Side effects of bitter orange
Bitter orange is not free from side effects. Enough clinical trials are not available to prove the efficacy and the side effects of bitter orange extracts and dietary supplements. Some health experts fear that bitter orange extracts might be as harmful as ephedra.
The stimulants present in bitter orange might cause abnormal heart rhythm. Bitter orange overdose could cause high blood pressure. Weight loss supplements containing bitter orange might increase the risk of migraine, fainting, heart attack and stroke.
These risks usually increase when bitter orange is combined with powerful stimulants. People on decongestant medications should avoid bitter orange.
