A bitter orange pill Two herbal supplements used to induce weight loss have revealed some troubling side effects, and researchers are warning people with hypertension and heart disease not to use them. The small study revealed that Advantra Z and Xenadrine EFX caused an increase in heart rate, and that Xenadrine EFX also caused an increase in blood pressure in otherwise healthy individuals. In the study conducted at the University of California, San Francisco, 10 adults were given one of the two supplements or a placebo. A single dose of either supplement was found to boost heart rate by an average of 11 to 16 beats a minute. In addition, the Xenadrine EFX also significantly elevated blood pressure by 7 to 12 percent or 9 to 10 mm Hg. Those given the placebo had no such increases. Researchers haven't pinpointed what in the supplements may have triggered the cardiovascular problems. Both supplements do, however, contain bitter orange extract (Seville orange), an herb that has been touted as a safe alternative to ephedra, which was banned for use in supplements by the FDA in April 2004. Researchers have not singled out bitter orange as the culprit, but they did note that Xenadrine EFX contains caffeine in addition to the bitter orange. The rise in blood pressure could be the result of a multi-ingredient interaction, they suggest. There's no magic pill for losing weight, but if you're considering using a weight loss supplement in addition to a healthy diet and exercise, be sure to talk with your doctor. Fending off gout Q: My brother has gout. He experiences such intense pain when an attack hits that he has to cancel all plans until it subsides. This usually means he is out of commission for days at a time. Is there anything natural that can help him prevent or lessen the attacks? JVW: I have found that a combination of 10 to 15 milligrams of low-dose lithium and 2 grams of vitamin C, both taken twice daily, can be effective in preventing recurrent gout. In addition, I also recommend drinking 32 oz. of real cherry juice (no sugar added) at the first sign of an attack. Although no one is sure why or how it works, studies have shown that cherry juice usually eliminates the pain of acute gout. What is...bitter orange extract? Bitter orange extract comes from the dried fruit peel of bitter orange and has been traditionally used for gastrointestinal ailments. There is very little medical evidence to support the claim that the herb aids weight loss.
Sources:
"Ephedra-Free Doesn't Mean Risk-Free," WebMD Medical News (www.webmd.com), 9/9/05
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