Ephedra

Supplements with ephedrine: Are they safe? Do they work?
Ephedra has been a well-known plant in China for hundreds of years and is Pharmacological properties are an active powerful stimulant whose composition is similar to the one of an amphetamine. This plant could reduce the fatigue sensation, to increase the alert status or to increase the metabolism and that is why it is one of favorite ingredients of the supplements for “losing weight” or “burning fat”. For that reason, using it is very popular among overweight athletes, such as baseball players. It is also one of the most popular supplements among people who train themselves in gymnasiums to reduce weight, lose fat or “to get in shape”. It is promoted as a component in some products - such as pills - to increase energy and optimize training results as well.
In spite of being a fascinating supplement for many, the adverse effects of Ephedra must be taken into account, since they are related to the stimulation of the central nerve system and hypertension, heart beatings, dizziness, insomnia, headache, and intestine problems.
Positive effects
The idea to consume a fat burning product is a temptation for athletes who must lose weight, but are reluctant to go on a diet. For that reason, there are a number of supplements that promise to make them lose fat. Nevertheless, it is necessary to read the products’ labels because ephedra can be part of them, but be mentioned under different names, such as: Ephedrine, Ma huang, Epitonin, Chinese ephedra, Ma huang extract, Ephedra, Ephedra extract, Ephedrine alkaloids, sinica Ephedra, Ephedra herb to powder, tea Squaw or tea Mormon.
What is “ephedrine”?
Ephedrine is classified as a drug that acts by stimulating the central nerve system. In fact, it acts in a similar way than an amphetamine, because both have similar chemical structures. Hence, ephedrine can reduce fatigue and increase the attention span. It can also increase the metabolism in tissues. This property caused the addition of ephedrine to some fat-burning products. Ephedrine is present in supplements such as alkaloids, which are part of the family of alkaline components. Substances containing nitrogen are usually derived from plants and are biologically active.
Is ephedra safe?
Since ephedrine is a derivative of the plant of ephedra, this is classified as a nutritional supplement. In the United States, the act of Dietetic Supplements, Health and Education of 1994 (DSHEA), regulates the market of dietetic supplements. Although the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) is trying to remove dangerous products from the market, the regulations of the DSHEA determine that FDA hast the legal obligation to prove that some product is uncertain, instead of having the producer or distributor proving that the product is safe.
A common dose is of 20 mg per ration, and the typical frequency of use is of 2 to 3 times to the day. Some of the effects above mentioned were related to much smaller doses, indicating than some individuals can be more susceptible to the adverse effects of ephedrine. Nevertheless, due to the absence of strict regulations, the products could contain but ephedrine doses ranging from 1 to 100 mg with no mention on the label at all.

Could ephedrine improve the athletes’ performance or facilitate fat loss?

Ephedrine intake could produce small changes in corporal weight. Nevertheless, because the loss of weight is so small, several products have been designed by combining ephedra, caffeine and aspirin, which increases the stimulating effects of ephedrine. Although the combination is a powerful agent for fat loss, this also increases the possibility of adverse effects due to the stimulation of the central nerve system and the cardiovascular system. Those people interested in using them as a fat-burning product must consult their physician first.

Dr. Priscilla M. Clarkson is who has conducted most of the studies related to the Ephedra. She is a professor of Sciences for the School of Health and Sciences of Health at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She is also a Fellow member of the American School of Sports Medicine and has presided this institution. She has published more than 100 scientific articles and at the moment she is the co-publisher of the magazine “International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism.”

At present, she is a member of the scientific group that develops laboratories for the space stations in the NASA and also a co-worker of the group of sports medicine revision of the Gatorade Sports Science Institute.