Ephedra---Help for Dieters?

Several months ago, one of my patients come to me with complaints of dizziness, rapid heartbeat and anxiety for a week. When I asked what was taking medication, she told me that currently had a respiratory infection and using a common cold remedy containing pseudoephedrine (marketed under the brand name of Sudafed). I found that she was taking medication properly. Once again the interrogation, finally admitted to the use of an over-the-counter herbal preparation for weight loss as well. That's when I told him that he had solved his problem. My patient was unwittingly overdose to a potentially dangerous combination of drugs. The herbal supplement that contained ephedra is taking a natural substance derived from a plant called china ephedra sinica.

What my patient did not know was that the active ingredient in cold medication and ephedra in the herbal remedy being used basically the same chemical. Both cause constriction of blood vessels in the nasal passages and swelling of the bronchial tree that account for its effectiveness in respiratory conditions. Unfortunately for my patient, both also have side effects that include dizziness, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat and anxiety. These side effects are what is behind the current controversy surrounding the use of ephedra.

Original ephedra is used less controversial than at present. The herb was first mentioned in Chinese medical literature in the first century AD Known as ma-Huang, is used to treat asthma, respiratory infections and promote excretion of urine.

In the last century, however, its use expanded to include the treatment of obesity and for use in bodybuilding, where his "thermogenic" or "fat burning" properties were highly regarded. In combination with herbs containing caffeine and aspirin, it was believed that ephedra exercise helped improve performance and promote loss of body fat. Unfortunately, the use of ephedra, especially in combination with caffeine or other stimulants, has proved fatal in a series of incidents where the grass has been used improperly.

As a result, ephedra was banned by the International Olympic Committee and the National Council of Collegiate athletes Asociados. In 1997, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued strong warnings against its use in doses higher than 24 milligrams per day. Since then, many states have adopted stricter legislation, including restricting their sale, especially young people, where the potential for addiction is high. Despite the warnings, ephedra remains available to the general public. As a result of weight loss product ephedra is often combined with John's Wort and is marketed as "herbal Phen-fen" in reference to the popular prescription diet plan. There is no scientific data, however, to support the assertion that these herbs are effective in reducing appetite or weight loss. Certainly, there is the potential health risks that may outweigh any benefit that could be obtained from the use of that resource.

Therefore, nobody should be taking these products? At the recommended doses and those without heart disease, high blood pressure or pre-existing anxiety, ephedra is probably safe. In high doses or in combination with caffeine-containing herbs like gaurana, Kola nuts or tea, probably the risks outweigh the benefits.

However, we hope that manufacturers of these products to be especially useful for when you go to buy a product ephedra. Ephedra is often disguised under the name Chinese, Huang-ma, as well as names like Cao mahuang, yellow astringent, the desert grass and mahuang Zhong. Dosage guidelines can be almost impossible to interpret. An anonymous source from the Internet, for example, sell a product announcement for use by bodybuilders dosage recommendations contained five times higher than that recommended by the FDA. Not only the product contains excessive amounts of ephedra, also claims to have the friolera of 100 milligrams of caffeine per capsule! Take the recommended six capsules per day and you can not sleep for days.

As with all herbal medicine, it is important to do research before buying the product, read labels carefully and when in doubt, ask your health care provider for advice on products which, if any, is safe for you to use. While ephedra can help you lose weight, daily exercise and a restricted calorie diet will do the same for less cost and probably less risk to their health.