Why is bitter orange dangerous

Products and services. Is bitter orange safe and effective for weight loss? Answer From Brent A. With Brent A. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Bitter orange. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

Accessed Sept. Bitter orange. Natural Medicines. Suntar I, et al. An overview on citrus aurantium L. Coconut oil for weight loss Dietary supplements for weight loss Cortisol blockers Ear stapling for weight loss Endoscopic Intragastric Balloon Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty Gastric Sleeve Gastric bypass Roux-en-Y Weight-loss surgery Hoodia Intragastric balloon Phentermine for weight loss Prescription weight-loss drugs Protein shakes Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding Roux-en-Y gastric bypass Sleeve gastrectomy Vitamin B injections Natural diuretics Weight-loss surgery Why does diet matter after bariatric surgery?

Show more related content. A recent review of FDA adverse events reports and published clinical case reports over the past 5 years has again concluded that no serious adverse events can be directly attributed to bitter orange or p -synephrine.

The possible dangers of bitter orange fainting, heart-rhythm disorders, heart attack, stroke, death listed in the Consumer Reports article 2 are clearly not supported by scientific and clinical literature. None of these adverse effects have been directly linked with bitter orange extract or p -synephrine. Unfortunately, this reality has not prevented many individuals from making statements that are not based on scientific fact or clinical data.

In summary, based on current research as well as the extensive ingestion of bitter orange and p -synephrine in the form of dietary supplements as well as fruits, juices, and other citrus food products, the data demonstrate that bitter orange extract is safe for human consumption.

No credible adverse events have been directly attributed to bitter orange, or its primary protoalkaloid, p- synephrine, in association with oral ingestion. The authors have served as consultants for Nutratech, Inc. Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program. Complete German Commission E Monographs.

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Our Members Become a Sponsor Member. Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program Supporters. Sidney J. Harry G. The bitter orange plant thrives in subtropical regions but can withstand adverse environmental conditions like frost for short periods 2.

Oval or oblong in shape, the fruit is red-orange when ripe and has a distinctively thick, dimpled skin. There are 23 cultivars of the fruit, the most prominent of which is Bergamot. You can expect some varieties to be more bitter than others. 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 4. Bitter orange is a citrus fruit with dimpled skin and potent plant compounds that are extracted and used in a variety of supplements. The plant compounds in bitter orange, which are called protoalkaloids, have been used for over 20 years in supplements for weight loss, athletic performance, skin care, appetite control, and brain health, as well as perfumery 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8.

P-synephrine, the main extract from bitter orange, has a similar structure to ephedrine, the main component of the herbal weight loss supplement ephedra 8. This supplement was banned by the U. Food and Drug Administration FDA because it raised blood pressure, increased heart rate, and caused heart attacks and stroke among some consumers 1 , 3 , 7. In addition, p-synephrine is structurally similar to your flight-or-fight hormones, epinephrine and norepinephrine, which also increase your heart rate 1 , 4.

P-synephrine is also found in other citrus fruits and their juices, such as mandarins and clementines 4 , 7. Like other citrus fruits, bitter orange provides limonene — a compound shown to have anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties 10 , 11 , Population studies suggest that limonene may prevent certain cancers, namely colon cancer.

However, more rigorous human research is needed However, the results are not yet known. Another protoalkaloid found in bitter orange is p-octopamine. However, little to no p-octopamine exists in bitter orange extracts. The leaves of the bitter orange plant are rich in vitamin C , which acts as an antioxidant. Antioxidants are substances that may protect your body from disease by preventing cell damage. They work by deactivating free radicals, which are unstable compounds that damage your cells, increasing inflammation and your disease risk 15 , Protoalkaloids are plant compounds found in bitter orange that have anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.

They have been shown to be safe for consumption. Many weight loss supplements use bitter orange extracts in combination with other ingredients. However, scientific studies have not thoroughly examined the composition of these supplements to determine which ingredient, if any, supports weight loss.