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Ephedra, also known as Ma-Huang, is the herbal
form of ephedrine and is a
central nervous system stimulant that behaves in the body much like an
amphetamine. In other words, ephedra is speed. Many people do not know that ephedra is one of the hydroxycut ingredients. These Ephedra alkaloids are dangerous. Many people have given xenadrine testimonials saying that they have done well on these products.
But there are also many people who have been harmed. Ephedra, an herbal supplement, is used
to help people lose weight, boost their energy levels and improve athletic
performance. Ephedra is a natural herbal substance. It is also a very
powerful drug – so powerful that some companies market pills containing
ephedra as a "safe alternative to street drugs" like ecstasy and
amphetamines. Ephedra alkaloids pseudoephedrine, norephedrine, and N-methylephedrine
are used in Sudafed and other over-the-counter medications. But unlike medications, Hydroxycut ingredients are not reviewed by the FDA.
Diet and other nutritional products that contain ephedra do not require FDA
approval because ephedra is sold as a nutritional supplement and not a
medication. Nevertheless, the American Medical Association has urged the
government to ban ephedra supplements. Ephedra has been linked to heart
attack, strokes, and death. The substance has been banned by the National
Football League, the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the
International Olympic Committee. Although products containing ephedra
represent less than 1 percent of total sales in the herbal supplement market,
ephedra accounted for 64 percent of all adverse reactions to herbal
supplements reported to American poison control centers in 2001. An article
published in The Annals of Internal Medicine declared Ephedra the most
dangerous herbal product on the market .
Public awareness of the problem was
heightened following the death of Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler,
who was taking three pills a day to help him lose weight at the time of his
death. In another case, an otherwise healthy sixteen-year-old boy died after
taking "Yellow Jackets," a product containing ephedra that is used by some
teenage athletes to boost energy and stamina. According to the FDA, at least
100 such deaths have been linked to use of products containing ephedra. A
study published in February 2003 reported that poison control centers in the
United States had 1,178 cases of ephedra toxicity in 2002.
Ephedra and ephedrine alkaloids are a primary ingredient in many diet
products. It is also an ingredient in products used to treat asthma,
allergies, hay fever, common colds, and sinus congestion. Products containing ephedra, like certain Hydroxycut ingredients, are marketed to athletes as a way of boosting energy and improving
athletic performance. Because it is a central nervous system stimulant, it
has also been sold as an alternative to Ritalin and other drugs used to treat
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children and adults.
Doctors point out that the health benefits of ephedra have been greatly
exaggerated. Patients using herbal diet pills actually lost on average an
additional 2 to 4 pounds per month over patients who did not use the
supplements, much of which was regained within six months. Instead of diet
pills, most physicians recommend a comprehensive approach to weight loss
involving diet and nutrition, regular physical activity, and behavioral
change, with an emphasis on long-term weight management, rather than
short-term extreme weight reduction.
What products contain ephedra?
Ephedra is an ingredient in:
Metabolife 356® - Company name: Metabolife International
Ripped Fuel - Company name: TwinLab Laboratories
Extreme Ripped Force - Company name: American Bodybuilding
Diet Fuel - Company name: TwinLab Laboratories
GH Fuel - Company name: TwinLab Laboratories
Herba Fuel - Company name: TwinLab Laboratories
MetaboLift - Company name: TwinLab Laboratories
ThermiCare® - Company name: Met-Rx USA
ETA Stack® - Company name: Nutra Sport
Xenadrine RFA-1® - Company name: Cytodyne Technologies
Ultimate Orange - Company name: Next Nutrition, Inc
UltraCuts - Company name: BioPlex
Vasopro - Company name: Mega Pro International
Adipokinex - Company name: Syntrax Innovations, Inc
ThermoPlex - Company name: Bioplex
Thermogenic Power - Company name: Nature's Herbs
Chinese Ephedra - Company name: Frontiers, Inc.
MetaCuts - Company name: Metaform
Chinese Ma Huang - Company name: Gaia Herbs, Inc
Lipokinetix - Company name: Syntrax Innovations, Inc
Clenbutrx - Company name: Vital Pharm, Inc
BetaLean HP - Company name: EAS
Diet Pep - Company name: Natural Balance, Inc
Diurlean - Company name: ISS Research
Dyma-Burn Xtreme - Company name: Dymatize Nutrition
Do I have an ephedrine case?
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