Ephedrine
(Ma-Huang, Ephedra)
What is it?
Ephedrine is a decongestant.
Does it occur naturally in the body?
No. Ephedrine alkaloids are members of a large family of pharmacological compounds called sympathomimetics. Sympathomimetics mimic the effect of epinephrine and norepinephrine, which do occur naturally in the human body.
What are the claims?
Ephedrine is a central nervous system stimulant that increases blood pressure and suppresses appetite, allowing people to burn more fat and lose weight.
Does it work?
Ephedrine does increase blood pressure and has been shown to suppress appetite.
What are the dangers?
Heart attack, seizures, stroke and severe mental disorders. Even as a prescribed drug it is not recommended to take ephedrine for more than 7 days in a row.
In 2004 the FDA banned the sale of all dietary supplements with ephedrine in them after concluding the products were too dangerous for sale to the public.
In 2005 a court overturned the FDA ban and allowed products with low doses of ephedrine to be sold.
In 2006 a federal appeals court upheld the FDA ban and once again banned the sale of all products containing ephedrine.
The Bottom Line
Ephedrine is a dangerous drug.
Unless prescribed by a doctor for a medical condition, we cannot recommend the supplement ephedrine.
Updated 9/1/2006
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