Thursday, November 8, 2012

NOVEMBER 8, 2012 BITTER ORANGE




Of what significance is one's one existence, one is basically unaware. What does a fish know about the water in which he swims all his life The bitter and the sweet come from outside. The hard from within, from one's own efforts. For the most part I do what my own nature drives me to do. It is embarrassing to earn such respect and love for it.
 -Albert Einstein

The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.- Aristotle


Bitter orange (Citrus x aurantium) peel and fruit has a variety of traditional uses, including for the treatment of insomnia, gastrointestinal problems, and as an expectorant. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is known as "Chih-shih" or "Zhi shi." The extract has been found to activate metabolism and suppress the appetite; it is thus used in supplements for weight loss. The safety of bitter orange has been confounded by the confusion between the bitter orange compound p-synephrine and a structurally different synthetic compound, m-synephrine

It i also known as Seville orange, sour orange, bigarade orange, and marmalade orange, refers to a citrus tree (Citrus × aurantium) and its fruit. It is hybrid between Citrus maxima and Citrus reticulata. Many varieties of bitter orange are used for their essential oil, which is used in perfume, as a flavoring and as a solvent. The Seville orange variety is used in the production of marmalade.

Like green coffee extract ( discussed by Dr Oz) , bitter orange is used as an appetite suppressant.  However, it also has a stimulant effect  The active ingredient, synephrine, has been linked to a number of deaths, and consumer groups advocate avoiding medicinal use of the fruit. It reminds of the deaths by the use of ephedra in the past.

A recent study published by the ABC ( American Botanical Council) had mixed reviews on Bitter Orange. I feel more studies need to be published and researched. In their current issue, the study reviewed had some flaws. These were that
too many products used in these studies contained other compounds or plant materials with known bio activity, such as caffeine. The reviewers feels this confounds any observed effects on metabolism. Also, many of the studies reviewed failed to mention any adverse effects. This is a key point.

More needs to be researched...

Until tomorrow...

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