Citrus aurantium is not effective for weight loss, causes weight gain of 2.5 lbs after two months

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Tuesday, May 01, 2007 4:18 am Email this article
Citrus aurantium is not effective for weight loss according to a study from Dr. Frank Greenway and others at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA. Subjects Gain Weight

Subjects gained 2.5 lbs after two months

Subjects given Citrus aurantium, which contained 20 mg phenylephrine, gained 2.5 pounds after two months compared to a weight gain of 0.2 pounds in the group given a placebo.

This difference was statistically significant, which means that the weight gain was very likely do to the Citrus aurantium. Interesting, huh?

Citrus aurantium contains a chemical called phenylephrine, which some companies have claimed is the “new ephedrine”. This is nonsense.

 

Metabolism

Metabolism increased 145 calories per day with Citrus aurantium vs 24 calories with placebo, but not after two months

In the first few weeks, resting metabolism increased more in the Citrus aurantium group than the placebo group: 145 versus 24 calories per day.

However, there was not a significant difference after two months.

 

Safety

No safety issues

There were no safety issues in any of the subjects.

 

Conclusion

Conclusion: Citrus aurantium does not cause weight loss

“Although no toxicity was seen, these pilot studies suggest phenylephrine is not efficacious for weight loss,” the paper concludes.

REFERENCE

Greenway F, De Jonge-Levitan L, Martin C, Roberts A, Grundy I, Parker C. Dietary herbal supplements with phenylephrine for weight loss. J Med Food. 2006 Winter, 9(4):572-78.

AUTHOR’S CONTACT INFORMATION

Frank Greenway, MD
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA
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Articles on the same subject can be found here:

• Citrus aurantium

• Phenylephrine