Ephedrine and Ephedra
Weight Loss Pills
Diet pills, herbal weight loss products or dietary supplements
containing ephedra, ma huang or ephedrine are not effective for
long term weight loss. They may be unhealthy and even fatal.
- Also known as ma huang, ephedra is the natural source of the
amphetamine-like stimulant ephedrine.
Ephedrines are amphetamine-like compounds with powerful and
potentially lethal stimulant effects on the central nervous system
and the heart.
- These compounds act as stimulants that can cause rapid or
irregular heartbeats (heart arrhythmias).
Ephedrine acts in a similar way to adrenaline. It dilates the
bronchial muscles, contacts the nasal mucosa and raises blood
pressure
- In diet pills the dangers of ephedra far outweigh the benefits.
- According to a 1995 report in the journal Obesity Research, Danish
researchers found that ephedrine combined with caffeine helped
obese patients on a strict diet lose an extra 7.5 pounds over six
months compared with patients who simply dieted. That's just over
1 pound extra per month, with all the health risks.
Over-the-Counter Diet Pills Containing Ephedrine
Ephedra and ephedrine are also sold in health food stores and
online under a variety of brand names including Easy Trim,
Advocare, Matabolite, Metabolite 356, Metab-Rx Ultar, Epitonin,
Chinese Ephedra and Ripped Fuel. Products like these are not
regulated by the FDA. Suppliers claim their products breakdown
fat, build muscle and enhance athletic performance. Consumers are
often not warned about potentially serious or even fatal side
effects.
FDA Warnings & Studies into Ephedrine Weight Loss Pills
Over the last five years, the Food and Drug Administration has
logged 1,000 serious reactions that may be linked to ephedra,
including 38 deaths. The reactions included soaring blood
pressure, irregular heartbeat, insomnia, tremors, seizures, heart
attack, and stroke.
The FDA urges everyone to consult with a doctor before trying any
ephedra product and experts advise against using any weight-loss
products that contain the herb. If you do, check the labels to
make sure you don't get more than 8 milligrams of the drug
ephedrine in any 6 hour period, and don't take any ephedra product
for more than a week.
You should avoid ephedra completely if you have hypertension,
heart trouble, kidney disease, neurologic disorders, diabetes, or
an overactive thyroid gland, or if you're pregnant or nursing.
Diet & Weight Loss Pills
Diet and weight loss drugs or pills, whether prescription or
over-the-counter weight loss supplements, are only effective when
combined with a healthy diet and exercise plan.
NOTE: Before using any form of diet pills or weight loss
supplements, please consult your doctor.
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