Herbal Weight Loss Supplements

A Scientific Look at Bitter Orange, Green Tea and Hoodia

Feb 22, 2007 Lisa Barger

Herbal weight loss supplements like bitter orange, green tea and hoodia are growing in popularity. Find out what science says about these popular natural diet products.

With more than 60% of Americans overweight and more than 30% considered obese (1), it's no wonder that the demand for herbal weight loss products continues to grow. Herbal weight loss supplements like hoodia, bitter orange and green tea are often cited on natural health web sites but how well do these herbal products really work for weight loss? This article looks at three of the most common herbal weight loss supplements: bitter orange, green tea and hoodia.

Bitter Orange for Weight Loss

Known botanically as Citrus aurantium, bitter orange contains synephrine, which is a chemical similar to the one that made ephedra so effective. Unfortunately, the synephrine in bitter orange also presents many of the same risks as ephedra. In addition to the increased risk of high blood pressure and heart arrhythmia, bitter orange may also interact with a number of prescription drugs.

In studies, bitter orange has generally not been found effective for weight loss. In one of the most recent studies of bitter orange for weight loss, study participants actually gained weight while taking bitter orange. (2) An earlier study, this one from 2002, also found that while bitter orange demonstrated the ability to increase metabolic rates in study volunteers, the study authors ultimately determined that more studies should be done before bitter orange is recommended as an herbal weight loss supplement. (3)

Green Tea for Weight Loss

Though it doesn't contain as much caffeine as black tea, coffee or sodas, green tea still contains enough caffeine to offer a significant thermogenic, or fat-burning, effect. In a 2005 study of green tea, researchers found that even among low-caffeine users, green tea offered noticeable improvement in weight maintenance. (4)

Green tea for weight loss isn't without controversy, however. A 2004 review of common herbal weight loss supplements reminded readers that potentially dangerous side effects are possible, especially when caffeine is combined with other thermogenic ingredients. (5)

Hoodia for Weight Loss

One of the most widely publicized herbal weight loss supplements on the market today is hoodia. Botanically identified as Hoodia gordonii, hoodia is a South Africa succulent traditionally used as an appetite suppressant. To date, only one chemical constituent in hoodia has shown any potential for weight loss--a glycoside researchers have named P57. (6)

Despite claims made on various weight loss web sites, no double-blind human studies have been published on hoodia. To date, hoodia has not been proven safe or effective for weight loss.

The Bottom Line on Herbal Weight Loss Supplements

It's important to remember that only a licensed health care provider is qualified to give advice on weight loss. Always discuss your weight loss goals with your doctor before beginning any weight loss regimen.

Also remember the first rule of natural medicine, "Just because it's natural doesn't mean it's safe." Herbal weight loss supplements can not only interact with one another; herbs can also interact with prescription drugs. Always discuss any herbal weight loss supplements you're taking with a qualified medical professional.

References:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (2007). Overweight and Obesity: Home. Retrieved February 21, 2007, from Centers for Disease Control Web site: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/index.htm

2. Greenway, F., de Jonge-Levitan, L., Martin, C., Roberts, A., Grundy, I., & Parker, C. (2006). Dietary herbal supplements with phenylephrine for weight loss. Journal of Medicinal Food.

3. Preuss, H., DiFerdinando, D., Bagchi, M., & Bagchi, D. (2002). Citrus aurantium as a thermogenic, weight-reduction replacement for ephedra: an overview. Journal of Medicine.

4. Westerterp-Plantenga, M., Lejeune, M., & Kovacs, E. (2005). Body weight loss and weight maintenance in relation to habitual caffeine intake and green tea supplementation. Obesity Research.

5. Saper, R., Eisenberg, D., & Phillips, R. (2004). Common dietary supplements for weight loss. American Family Physician.

6. Abula, B., Wang, Y., Pawar, R., Skukla, Y., Schaneberg, B., & Khan, I. (2006) Determination of the appetite suppressant P57 in Hoodia gordonii plant extracts and dietary supplements by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-MSD-TOF) and LC-UV methods. Journal of AOAC International.

The copyright of the article Herbal Weight Loss Supplements in Natural Medicine is owned by Lisa Barger. Permission to republish Herbal Weight Loss Supplements in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.