Bitter Orange

Bitter Orange is a medicine that originated in China and has been used for centuries by the indigenous people of the Amazon. It has been used to treat nausea, indigestion and constipation. Today, Bitter Orange has been used in weight loss supplements, appetite suppressants, treating insomnia, or ringworm infections. Bitter Orange contains amphetamine metabolites, which can increase blood pressure and heart rate.

After the FDA banned the stimulant Ephedra, Bitter Orange was used to replace that ingredient in many weight-loss products—even though many professionals believed the Bitter Orange had the same dangerous side effects that were seen in Ephedra.

According to the FDA, Bitter Orange has been associated with seven deaths and 25 other dangerous reactions. Bitter Orange can be found in many energy supplements and weight-loss solutions found over the counter. Some products which contain Bitter Orange are Xenadrine EFX and Metabolife Ultra. Beautiful Health, Inc. also utilizes Bitter Orange in different forms, and those products can be found on the Internet.

Many health professionals believe that it is too early to tell if Bitter Orange is safe to use. Since the substance is so close in chemical makeup to ephedra, professionals believe that it could be just as dangerous. Bitter Orange has been thought to cause cancer, liver or kidney failure, cardiac problems or death. Because Bitter Orange can be dispensed without a prescription, it does not require the extensive study and research that prescription drugs require.
Side Effects Include:

• Fainting
• Migraines
• Heart-rhythm disorders
• Heart attack
• Ischemic colitis stroke
• Death
• Anxiety
• Nausea
• Heart palpitations
• Racing heart
• Insomnia
• Elevated blood pressure
• Dangerous interactions with other medications
• Elevated blood pressure
• Stroke
• Heart attack