Bitter Orange: Benefits and Risks for Weight Loss and Fitness

Bitter orange, also known as Seville orange, has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine and is now primarily marketed as a weight loss supplement. This herb is renowned for its potential to improve physical fitness and increase lean muscle mass. It aids in weight loss by decreasing appetite, leading to reduced food consumption. Additionally, bitter orange enhances thermogenesis, the process of burning fat, which contributes to weight reduction and muscle building. By making fat available for energy, it also boosts physical performance.

Research indicates that bitter orange increases the rate of lipolysis, the breakdown of fats, and elevates the metabolic rate of thermogenesis, thereby burning more calories. This dual action makes it an appealing choice for those seeking to lose weight and build muscle. However, the use of bitter orange is not without risks. It can cause a range of serious health issues, including heart problems like irregular heart rates, heart attacks, and strokes. It has also been linked to high blood pressure and insomnia. In some cases, the adverse effects can be severe enough to lead to death.

The long-term effects of bitter orange are still being studied, raising concerns about its safety for extended use. Despite its potential benefits for weight loss and physical fitness, the significant health risks associated with bitter orange warrant careful consideration and consultation with a healthcare professional before use.
Bitter Orange: Benefits and Risks for Weight Loss and Fitness

Licorice reducing body fat mass

Licorice, the root of the Glycyrrhiza species, is one of the most frequently botanicals in traditional medicines. It has been used in Europe, since Greek, Roman and Medieval times. Egyptians believed licorice root helped the soul pass safely into the afterlife and they therefore placed it inside tombs and caskets, including that of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, who died in 1323 BC.

Preliminary data shows that licorice may reduce body fat mass.In preliminary study, 15 normal weight-weight subjects, who consumed 3.5 g/day of a commercial preparation of licorice containing glycyrrhetinic acid for 2 months, had reduced body fat mass of 1.2% in men and 2.8% in women (J. Endocrinol Invest. 2003;26:646-650).

Results showed that aldosterone and plasma renin activity were suppressed, body mass index did not alter, extracellular water increased while BFM (body fat mass) was significantly reduced. These findings suggest that licorice can reduce fat by inhibiting 11-beta HSD1 in fat cells.

II-beta hydroxylsteroid dehydrogenase enzyme is responsible for the conversion of cortisol to cortisone. When central obesity is present, 11-beta HSD type 1 is increased in adipose tissue and increased cortisol in adipose tissue may be involved in the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome.
Licorice reducing body fat mass

Bitter Orange for weight loss

Bitter orange or Seville orange has been used in traditional Chinese medicine and today it is used mainly as a weight loss product. Bitter orange also can improve physical fitness and increase lean muscle mass.

This herb will decrease the appetite, thus food consumption will be lower causing to lose weight.

Bitter orange also stimulates weight loss by enhancing thermogenesis (burning fat); it builds lean muscle, and it increases physical performance by making fat available for energy.

Research has shows that bitter orange increase the rate of lipolysis, and it also increase metabolic rate of thermogenesis which burns calories.

However, bitter orange can cause a range of potentially serious health problem.

They can cause heart problems (irregular heart rate, attacks & stroke), high blood pressure, insomnia and may sometime lead to death. Its long term effect is still being studied.
Bitter orange for weight loss