Dr. McCausland's response to questions about
dietary supplements containing ephedra.
What is Ephedra?
Is Ephedra safe?
What is the difference
between ephedra and ephedrine alkaloids?
How do we know ephedra
is safe?
Why does Ephedra cause
you to lose weight?
Why is ephedra combined
with caffeine and aspirin?
In the Rite-Now Classic®
System you get two products each containing ephedra. Are we getting a double
dose?
Under what conditions,
if any, should a person avoid ephedra?
What is Ephedra?
Ephedra (Chinese ephedra) is an herb with over 2000 years of recorded
human use in China. For 40 years it has been used in food supplement in
the USA. There are several species of Chinese ephedra, each containing
natural ephedrine alkaloids (1-2.5%), which are the active ingredient.
In its concentrated powdered form it is referred to as Ma Huang and contains
6-8% ephedrine alkaloids. Synthetic ephedrines are the active ingredients
in OTC drugs like Actifed and Sudafed, preparations for the common cold
and allergies that have been sold since the 1920s.
Is Ephedra safe?
Ephedra is safe especially when used as directed. Historical use of
ephedra even before quantification of ephedrines was possible and the use
of ephedrines in current clinically controlled studies demonstrate that
the typical amount of ephedrines consumed is 25-150 mg per day. In the
extreme, and certainly neither recommended nor advisable, there are cases
reporting intakes of more than 1000 mg per day. None of these cases are
reported to have resulted in either serious injury or serious side effects.
What is the difference between ephedra and ephedrine
alkaloids?
Ephedra is a plant (Ma Huang) that contains ephedrine alkaloids. Ephedrine
alkaloids are the active part of ephedra. For example Shape-Fast Classic®
contains 225mg total of ephedra and 11.5mg of ephedrine alkaloids per serving
(1 capsule).
How do we know ephedra is safe?
Ephedra has long been known that ephedra and its ephedrine alkaloids
are safe, through both documented animal toxicology studies and human clinical
studies. Many of the clinical studies focus on two major issues, weight
loss and asthma, and are reported in scientific publications like the International
Journal of Obesity. Reported side effects are minor and transitory such
as temporary increases in blood pressure and heart rate, which are no more
than you would experience from a brisk walk around the block.
Careful analysis of existing data demonstrates that consuming quantities
of less than 100 mg per day of ephedrine alkaloids will not result in any
adverse reaction.
Why does Ephedra cause you to lose weight?
Ephedra promotes a natural body function call thermogenesis. Thermogenesis
is a process of burning body fat to maintain an internal temperature of
98.6° Fahrenheit in a usually colder ambient environment. Ephedra causes
the body to burn fat at in increased rate, thus burning off pounds. The
weight loss is typically 2-5 pound per month.
Why is ephedra combined with caffeine and aspirin?
When caffeine and aspirin are combined with ephedrines, thermogenesis
is increased and a more rapid rate of weight loss is experienced. This
combination of ephedra, caffeine, and aspirin is commonly referred to as
the "thermogenic stack".
In the Rite-Now Classic® System you get two products
each containing ephedra. Are we getting a double dose?
You are NOT getting a double dose if you are following the instructions
on the label. You are in fact only getting half the dose preferred by many,
but an effective amount for weight management. If you are following the
directions you are getting 23 mg total of ephedrines twice a day (morning
and noon) for a total of 46 mg. The label gives directions to not exceed
100 mg of ephedrines total (if you are also taking other products containing
ephedra).
Under what conditions, if any, should a person avoid
ephedra?
Ephedra is not for everyone. Anyone taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors
(MAOs), or who is pregnant or nursing would also be advised against taking
ephedra. Anyone suffering from any serious disease condition should consult
with his or her health practitioner before using ephedra. Men with enlarged
prostate glands who have difficulty urinating would find urination even
more difficult if using ephedra.
|
