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Bitter orange is used as a weight loss supplement, and supporters claim in is safer than ephedra, which was taken off the market because it dramatically raises blood pressure and stresses the heart. However, bitter orange can produce many of the same harmful side effects. 

For centuries people have used stimulants to increase their fat break down and suppress their appetites. However, many of these stimulants are extremely stressful on the heart because they make the heart pump faster and sometimes with irregular rhythms.

Bitter orange is one of these weight loss supplements, and although supporters claim it is safer than ephedra, which was taken off the market because it dramatically raises blood pressure and stresses the heart, bitter orange can produce many of the same harmful side effects.

In Chinese medicine, bitter orange is used to treat chest congestion and stimulate gastrointestinal functions. Bitter orange medicine is an extract from the citrus aurantium, tiny oranges that grow on a tree. The orange stimulates beta-3 receptors, which start the fat breakdown process.

Beta-3 receptors regulate energy metabolism and turns fat into heat and energy. Beta-3 receptors are mainly found in adipose tissue, or body fat. The receptors are especially stimulated by norepinephrine, which is stimulated by bitter orange consumption. Bitter orange also suppresses the person’s appetite, further aiding in weight loss.

However, bitter orange (especially in large doses) can cause:

• high blood pressure
• heart rhythm disturbances
• heart attack
• stroke
• heart disease

Bitter orange has not been approved or regulated by FDA, so weight loss supplements can contain more bitter orange than they claim, and long-term injury from bitter orange has not been determined. If you are injured because of bitter orange, contact a personal injury attorney.