Weight Loss From Citrus?
Author Name: Marjet D. Heitzer, Ph.D, Mon Dec 26th
Marjet D. Heitzer, Ph.D.
The Plateau-proof Diet Foundation
http://www.plateauproofdiet.com
Email: info@plateauproofdiet.com
Does drinking a small quantity of citrus juice in the morning jump start your metabolism?
The simple answer is no. Although the basis of this dieting myth is elusive at best, it is possible that its creator heard about the new Ephedra substitute, synephrine, found in the outer peel of Citrus aurantium also known as the Seville orange or bitter orange. Synephrine is marketed as an ephedra substitute that increases metabolic temperature, utilizing a greater amount of fat stores as energy during a workout. Synephrine is closely related to ephedra, increasing thermogenesis (your body’sproduction of heat by burning fat), appetite suppression as well as increasing energy. Although manufacturers of synephrine claim that it possesses all the beneficial characteristics of ephedra ,without posing the health threats associated with ephedra, some recent data suggests that synephrine may be just as harmful asephedra. For example, one such study found that synephrine not only causes hypertension and increases heart rate, but also interacts with other prescription medications, affecting their metabolism (1). Metabolism of medications is the way in which your body breaks down ingested drugs before they can be eliminated from the body. When a drug’s metabolism is inhibited,toxic levels of that drug could build up in your body in a relatively short amount of time. Synephrine may also induce vasoconstriction, leading to ischemic stroke (2). Caffeine contaminants from guarana, mat?, or other herbs in association with synephrine are thought to be responsible for the health risks associated with synephrine supplements.
Because synephrine is a dietary supplement, it is not subject to regulation by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).Therefore, animal testing and clinical trials that are normally used to determine if a drug is safe are not performed. Because most dietary supplements are composed of plant materials, most supplements are contaminated with other herbs that could affect your health. It is important that you speak with your docto rbefore taking any dietary supplement or herbal medicine as some of them may interfere with prescription drugs and/or induce other health complications.
Although consumption of citrus juice in the morning does not increase your metabolism, citrus fruits are a good source of vitamin C as well as fiber. However, to get the beneficial effects of the fiber from citrus fruits, you must eat the fruitas a whole, not just consume the juice.
There is some evidence that certain prescription drugsinteract with grapefruit juice. Such interactions usually affectthe action (efficacy and safety) of those drugs, so if you takeprescription drugs, consult your doctor before consumingsignificant amounts of grapefruit or grapefruit juice.
The best way to start burning calories at the beginning of theday is to have a well rounded breakfast. The National WeightControl Registry states that eating breakfast regularly isbeneficial in the long-term maintenance of weight loss (3, 4).Furthermore, eating breakfast regularly is associated with morephysical activity, suggesting that consuming breakfast increasesyour energy.
1. Haller, C. A., Benowitz, N. L., and Jacob, P., 3rdHemodynamic effects of ephedra-free weight-loss supplements inhumans. Am J Med, 118: 998-1003, 2005.
2. Bouchard, N. C., Howland, M. A., Greller, H. A., Hoffman, R.S., and Nelson, L. S. Ischemic stroke associated with use of anephedra-free dietary supplement containing synephrine. Mayo ClinProc, 80: 541-545, 2005.
3. Elfhag, K. and Rossner, S. Who succeeds in maintaining weightloss? A conceptual review of factors associated with weight lossmaintenance and weight regain. Obes Rev, 6: 67-85, 2005.
4. Wyatt, H. R., Grunwald, G. K., Mosca, C. L., Klem, M. L.,Wing, R. R., and Hill, J. O. Long-term weight loss and breakfastin subjects in the National Weight Control Registry. Obes Res,10: 78-82, 2002.
About the author:Dr. Marjet Heitzer is a biomedical scientist specialized incancer and endocrine research. She is the founding editor of’Trimming America’, the free journal of ‘The Plateau-proof DietFoundation’. She is a strong proponent of reversing obesity andsome of its comorbidities, including type II diabetes andhypertension, with a lifestyle change that has healthy dietingat its core.
Http://www.plateauproofdiet.com
