Consumption of dietary supplements containing Citrus aurantium (bitter orange)--2004 California Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS).
BACKGROUND
Following the marketing ban of ephedra-containing supplements in April 2004, many manufacturers substituted the herb Citrus aurantium for ephedra and marketed the products as "ephedra-free" supplements. Extracts of C. aurantium contain synephrine, a sympathomimetic alkaloid.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of consumption of dietary supplements containing C. aurantium in California during 2004.


METHODS
We used the 2004 California Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey to determine the prevalence of consumption of dietary supplements containing C. aurantium in California during 2004.


RESULTS
Two percent (n = 70) of the 4140 survey respondents reported taking a dietary supplement containing C. aurantium in the previous year. Reasons stated included energy enhancement, weight loss, and appetite suppression. Compared with nonusers, users were more likely to report being single, aged 18-34 years, and Hispanic; consuming 3 or more alcoholic drinks on days that they imbibed; and having a heavier body mass index. Among the 5 users who reported experiencing an adverse event that they attributed to the supplement, 3 indicated that the severity was mild.


CONCLUSIONS
Given that supplements containing ephedra were banned in April 2004, the results from this study may serve as a baseline estimate against which future studies of the use of C. aurantium products may be compared.
Klontz
Karl C
KC
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD 20740-3835, USA. karl.klontz@cfsan.fda.gov
Timbo
Babgaleh B
BB
Street
Debra
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001069:Appetite Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002957:Citrus / Q000009:adverse effects; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects