In April of 2004, the US Food and Drug Administration finalized a nationwide ban on the popular diet supplement Ephedra. Despite a vigorous campaign by supplement manufacturers and retailers, the FDA, citing evidence of heart and blood pressure risks, pulled the supplement off the market. While the ban continues to be fought in court, it is clear that at least the perception of the dangers of Ephedra are here to stay.

Supplement companies understood that times had changed and began to identify alternatives to bring to the marketplace. Their enthusiasm was understandable-- the dietary supplement industry is a multi-billion dollar empire and with 70% of Americans tipping the scales at overweight or obese, the industry's unprecedented growth was certain to continue.

One of the supplements brought to the market is Citrus aurantium. More commonly known as bitter orange, it is an Eastern herb that has been used for years to treat a variety of conditions. What excited the supplement industry was the potential for increasing the metabolic rate (i.e., burning more fat) without the negative side effects that were reported with Ephedra. While it is true that negative side effects have not been reported, there is always concern about the purity and safety of any weight loss supplement.

One company in particular has positioned themselves as a leading provider of Citrus aurantium, backed with a number of US and Canadian patents and a host of scientific studies. Nutratech, the Wayne, NJ producer of Advantra Z, cites a number of studies that point out the effectiveness of their version of Citrus aurantium. For example, researchers at the University of Connecticut reported in the Winter 2005 issue of Pharmacotherapy that no adverse blood pressure effects were noted during a placebo controlled study of Advantra Z.

Nutratech also points out a number of quality control steps that may increase the final price of a Citrus aurantium supplement, but also increases it's value. Their proprietary extraction process, optimal harvesting and clinical support set them above the providers of generic Citrus aurantium.

Safety conscious consumers may be drawn to Advantra Z, but it is not available by itself. Just as important as the purity of the Advantra Z will be the overall quality and safety of the chosen weight loss supplement containing Advantra Z. One key measure to look for is a voluntary adherence to accepted manufacturing guidelines. Within the unregulated supplement industry, companies that adhere to standards, manufacture products in government monitored facilities, or are listed in a third-party reference such as the Physican's Desk Reference, stand out from the crowd.

Nutratech's patented Advantra Z, coupled with a quality natural supplement, may assist consumers the daily battle of the bulge.