Bitter orange is a plant that has many uses, including as a dietary supplement. The fruit of bitter orange contains an active ingredient called synephrine that is similar to ephedra. Bitter orange is commonly used in complementary medicine, herbal weight loss supplements, and for regulating fat levels in the blood, lowering blood sugar in people with diabetes, stimulating the heart and circulation, and as a sedative for sleep disorders.
Here are some positive and negative aspects of bitter orange supplements:
Positive:
- Bitter orange is an excellent source of vitamin C, also supplying a good amount of vitamin A, phosphorus, iron, and calcium.
- Bitter orange oil, when applied to the skin, might be effective for treatment of fungal skin infections such as ringworm, jock itch, and athletes foot.
Negative:
- Bitter orange contains many chemicals that affect the nervous system, which might cause heart problems in healthy adults.
- Bitter orange (synephrine) is considered a banned substance by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) .
- There are case reports of healthy people experiencing fainting, angina, heart attack, and stroke after taking bitter orange as part of multicomponent products.
- Bitter orange might change how quickly the liver breaks down certain medications, which could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Ingredients or materials:
- Bitter orange contains an active ingredient called synephrine that is similar to ephedra.
- Bitter orange contains several potent plant compounds that are sometimes extracted from the dried peel to make dietary supplements. The patented extract of bitter orange, p-synephrine, is sold in capsule form as the herbal weight loss supplements Advantra Z and Kinetiq.
- The fruit of bitter orange contains p-synephrine and other naturally occurring chemicals.
