Weight Loss Nutrition

Bitter orange is also known as citrus aurantium. Bitter orange has bee used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat chest congestion and stimulate gastrointestinal functions. In the past few years bitter orange has been marketed for weight loss but high dosages of bitter orange may place too much stress on the heart. Bitter orange supplements are not recommended to those with high blood pressure or pre-existing heart disease.

Bitter Orange Extract is a fat burner, energy pill, that increases metabolism, increases caloric expenditure, promotes weight loss, and increases energy levels. Synephrine is the primary active alkaloid in Bitter Orange. Synephrine stimulates your body’s adrenal gland promoting effective fat burning, appetite suppression and natural energy.

The Bitter Orange tree is indigenous to eastern Africa, Arabia, and Syria, and cultivated in Spain, Italy, and North America. The dried outer peel of the fruit of Bitter Orange, with the white pulp layer removed, is used medicinally. The leaves are also commonly used in many folk traditions. It is also called seville orange, zhi shi, chongcao, green orange, and sour orange.

Bitter orange is a naturally occurring weight loss ingredient that came into popularity when ephedra was banned by the FDA. The diet and weight loss companies hit the ground running looking for the next big ingredient and Bitter Orange was that choice. According to information found online, the natural oil is used as an appetite suppressant when taken as a standalone ingredient or as part of a weight loss supplement.

The Bitter Orange extract used in weight loss products is taken from the orange peel of the Bitter Orange. The active ingredient in the Bitter Orange peel is synephrine. There has been concern that using synephrine, which was the replacement ingredient for weight loss supplements after the ban of ephedra, can cause health issues. Ephedra, or ephedrine, works in the same way on the body as synephrine. The body reactions include blood vessel constriction, an increase in blood pressure and an increase in heart rate.

For all those looking to take bitter orange extract, it is recommended to not exceed the recommend dosage on the label. Exceeding the recommended dosage can have adverse side effects which include elevated heart rate and high blood pressure.