So that's picture I painted, however, there were some facts that I was unaware of at time, which I felt you might be interested in if you're researching bitter orange.

In order to lay these out, I want to answer four questions:

1. What Is Bitter Orange (Citrus Aurantium) Really ? 2. So does Bitter Orange act similarly to ephedrine ? 3. What about reports of adverse ill effects of bitter orange ? 4. Is bitter orange safe to use and does it work ?

It's a bit long, but what heck !

What Is Bitter Orange Really ?:

The Bitter Orange extract found in popular fat burners, is made from unripe fruit of citrus aurantium tree. The fruit is picked when they are a dark green in color, halved, dried and then milled into a powder. This makes herb Zhi Shi[1]. Bitter orange is western name for Zhi Shi.

The bitter orange herb contains five alkaloids (see alkaloid definition[5]), most dominant of which is Synephrine (the compound I referred to in my last article), structurally similar to ephedrine. However, while they are similar, they're not same.

Chemically, both synephrine and ephedrine stimulate sympathetic nervous system and at a cellular level, affect classes of cells called alpha cells, and to a lesser extent, beta cells[6]. Alpha and beta cells can then be divided into classes of beta and alpha cells. Beta(1) and beta(2) cell receptors are believed to be responsible for cardiac and pulmonary functions. Beta(3) cell receptors are believed to be responsible for fat burning or thermogenesis. Ephedrine will affect beta(1), beta(2) and beta(3) cell receptors, however, of beta-cell receptors, synephrine appears to only affect beta(3) cells.[7].

So does Bitter Orange act similarly to ephedrine ?

Does it ? While previously, I've presented a very black and white view of whether it acts similarly to ephedrine, I am now not so sure.

Generally speaking because synephrine stimulates beta(3) cells but not beta(2) and beta(1) cells, it can provide thermogenic effects without undesirable cardiac side effects that ephedrine did.

What about reports of adverse ill effects of bitter orange ?

The American Herbal Products Association has found that there were errors by FDA in reported adverse event reports attributed to use of bitter orange in September 2004[3]. The association found that numbers reported in media were in fact duplicates for adverse event reports for ephedrine, and when all was said and done, there was really only one report of an adverse reaction attributed to a bitter orange supplement, where no other ingredient was included in supplement. In this particular case, it involved a 74 year old woman who had been taking prescription medication and two other herbal preparations simultaneously. This one case occurred more than five years ago[3].

What about 55 year old woman reported by Nykamp DL, Fackih MN, Compton AL (2004), who experienced chest pain after consuming a supplement containing bitter orange. Researchers in this case study had commented "Based on Naranjo probability scale, C. aurantium is possibly associated with this cardiovascular event"[4], however, as bitter orange was not only ingredient in supplement, it cannot be known whether in this case, that bitter orange was herb responsible.

Is bitter orange safe to use and does it work ?

Now there are many others, who felt as I did, that bitter orange is another Ephedra waiting to happen, and will have same consequences. However, when bitter orange is taken in isolation, it does not have adverse side effects.

1. When you decide it’s time to start working out, start slowly and realize it will take some time to see results. Don't get discouraged if you don't achieve your fitness goals after first week... many people make this mistake and end up abandoning their plans because of it. They feel that if they really push their bodies they can lose more weight in a couple of work outs, and your body simply doesn't work that way.

If you try to push your body too much in first few goes, you are likely to end up with sprained joints, a sore back and even torn ligaments. The rule to be followed here is slow and steady wins race.

2. Check your weight before you start new exercise routine and then try to limit yourself to checking only weekly. If you keep checking for changes frequently, you'll be disappointed to not see radical changes immediately. It might be one or two weeks before you notice any change.

One thing you also need to be aware of: If you start exercising and working out as a way to lose weight, you could find yourself initially disappointed. Because when you work out, you start building muscle. And muscle weighs more than fat. So many people will start losing fat while they're building muscle, and not notice any change on actual weight scale.

So instead of worrying about what scale says, try taking your measurements before starting your weight loss exercise program, and notice how your cloths fit. Then each week, take your measurements again, and try on exact same cloths to see how they're now fitting. Usually you'll notice you're losing inches, and your clothes are fitting better - even if scale says you haven't lost any weight.

3. When you do notice changes, reward yourself. No, not goodies like chocolates or sweets. Reward yourself with a movie, a day off, or fun shopping spree.

Rewards can keep you going. It is a good idea to save on money that you wanted to spend on ice creams and chocolates and then treat your self to something more substantial.

4. You can, and should, take a day off from exercise every week. Make it part of exercise routine. Your body needs a day off from heavy activity, exercise and workouts, so be sure to schedule it in as part of your actual routine, to make sure you're taking care of it properly.

5. Exercise out doors as much as possible. There are two advantages of exercising outside: First, it gives your body a chance to get much needed fresh air and sunshine. The sun also gives you a healthy does of Vitamin D. Secondly, Being outside, seeing everything going on around you, being around other people, smelling and hearing world... all of these assaults to your senses help perk up your mood, keep you happy, and keep you motivated to continue with your exercise and weight loss plans.