ABOUT EPHEDRA

Ephedra is a naturally occurring substance derived from the Chinese herb Ma Huang. Its principal active ingredient is ephedrine, which when chemically synthesized is regulated as a drug. While products containing natural ephedrine alkaloids have long been used to treat certain respiratory symptoms in traditional Chinese medicine, in recent years they been extensively promoted and used with the goals of aiding weight loss, enhancing sports performance, body building and increasing energy.

Click Here for a List of Products Containing Ephedra

Ephedrine is used as a stimulant ingredient in diet pills, illegal recreational drugs, and legitimate over-the-counter medications to treat congestion and asthma. With a molecular structure similar to amphetamine, ephedrine can produce the following adverse reactions: heart attack, stroke, tachycardia, paranoid psychosis, depression, convulsions, coma, fever, vomiting, palpitations, hypertension, and respiratory depression. Since 1994, the FDA has received and investigated more than 800 reports of adverse events associated with the use of these products. Reported adverse events range from episodes of high blood pressure, irregularities in heart rate, insomnia, nervousness, tremors and headaches, to seizures, heart attacks, strokes and death.

Consumers should be aware that just because a product is labeled 'natural' or from an herbal source it is not guaranteed to be safe.

Because ephedrine alkaloids are heart and nervous system stimulants, certain individuals including those with hypertension, heart conditions and neurologic disorders, should avoid their use. Pregnant women, too, should avoid the use of dietary supplements with ephedrine alkaloids.

FDA Statement: 4-10-96
The FDA is warning consumers not to purchase or consume ephedrine-containing dietary supplements with labels that often portray the products as apparent alternatives to illegal street drugs such as "ecstasy." Possible adverse effects of ephedrine range from clinically significant effects such as heart attack, stroke, seizures, psychosis, and death, to clinically less significant effects that may indicate the potential for more serious effects (for example, dizziness, headache, gastrointestinal distress, irregular heartbeat, and heart palpitations). Ingredient panels on these products may list ma huang, Chinese ephedra, ma huang extract, ephedra, Ephedra sinica, ephedra extract, ephedra herb powder, or epitonin, all of which indicate a source of ephedrine.

MA HUANG

EPHEDRA AS A FAT BURNER

LACK OF FDA REGULATION

DECEPTIVE AND MISLEADING MARKETING

HEALTH RISKS OF EPHEDRA

MA HUANG (Ephedra sinensis):
The Chinese have used the herb Ma Huang for over 5,000 years, particularly to treat asthma and reduce upper respiratory infections. The primary active ingredient of Ma Huang is ephedra. Ma Huang contains ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, which are used in over-the-counter medications for asthma (ephedrines) and as a nasal decongestant (pseudoephedrine). Ma huang is also found in "energy" products that may give athletes extra energy without draining their reserves and can increase alertness and perception. Ma huang is included in some diet formulas where it functions as an appetite suppressant. Its mechanism of activity in this use is the same as the only FDA approved over the counter appetite suppressant, phenylpropanolamine (ppa).

Most people have heard of the abuse of amphetamines as diet pills prescribed by doctors in the 1960's and '70's. Like amphetamines, Ephedra and the chemical compound ephedrine can be dangerous if abused. While the cautions for ephedra and caffeine are similar, ephedra has greater cardiovascular activity than caffeine. Ephedra is often combined in diet or energy products with caffeine or a natural caffeine source such as kola nut, guarana, or tea. The combination of these two different types of stimulants can be especially powerful and often dangerous. 

EPHEDRA AS A FAT BURNER
Ancient Chinese physicians prescribed this herb for asthma, hay fever, nasal and chest congestion. Known for the sense of well being reported by its users, this herb has been used as a health tonic, a natural stimulant and an appetite suppressant. Believed to be a powerful fat burner; weight watchers have noticed that it makes the body heat up and burn fat at a faster rate than normal (this is known as the thermogenic effect).

Ephedra has the ability to open up the adrenergic receptor sites (switches) found primarily in the heart and lungs, thereby increasing the metabolic rate and calorie consumption. The net results is release of fatty acids from stored fat cells and a quicker consumption of the fat into energy. When ephedra is combined with a modest amount of caffeine as found in green tea extract or Guarana, the thermogenic effects can be improved as much as 20% Ephedra also tends to increase the contractile strength of muscle fibers, which allows body builders to work harder and heavier.

LACK OF FDA REGULATION
The FDA does not currently regulate ephedrine because it is a dietary supplement protected under the Dietary Supplement Health & Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA). Pursuant to the Act, the FDA cannot regulate dietary supplements such as ephedrine unless it has been proven to be unsafe. The DSHEA reduced the FDA's and federal control over these products, compared with food and drugs, which are subjected to strict regulation and compliance monitoring by the FDA. Under the DSHEA, dietary supplements like ephedrine are loosely defined as products intended to supplement the diet. Drug companies have taken advantage of the current status of ephedrine and have attempted to produce a "legal" amphetamine by mixing ephedrine with other stimulants such as caffeine.

Dietary supplements such as Ephedra are routinely marketed without undergoing a safety review by FDA. Unfortunately the term "herbal" can be quite misleading – many herbal remedies and supplements are no safer than prescription medications. These supplements contain herbs, minerals, amino acids, vitamins and combinations of these things. The supplement industry can sell any product that meets that definition in stores and its supplier can make claims about its alleged healthful qualities. People are unaware that suppliers of Ephedra products are virtually free to make health claims about the substances that have no scientific basis. People are also unaware of the potentially deadly side effects of these products.

Concerns over the potency of ephedra and its isolated alkaloids have prompted increased regulatory scrutiny and industry label warnings. Contraindications and possible side effects should be listed on the bottle. Contraindications include general weakness, poor digestion, high blood pressure, nervousness, sleeplessness, cardiac arrhythmia and heart disease.

DECEPTIVE AND MISLEADING MARKETING
Some companies have named their ephedrine tablets after illegal street drugs such as "Ecstasy" and "Black Beauties," as well as brand names such as Easy Trim, Advocare, Metabolite, Metab-Rx Ultar, Epitonin, Chinese Ephedra, Metabolife 356 and Ripped Fuel. Other manufacturers have taken a more subtle approach to sell their ephedrine products. These companies make representations that they are vitamin or nutrition companies that sell only "natural" diet supplements. Drug companies have taken advantage of the current status of ephedrine and have attempted to produce a "legal" amphetamine by mixing ephedrine with other stimulants such as caffeine. Ephedrine use is highly popular among college students and people who work out. Most remain completely unaware of the potential dangers of these products.

People continue to believe that because herbs are "natural" they are therefore, harmless. However, many herbal remedies are dangerous. Certain ingredients may interact with prescription medication and become toxic or fatal.

Manufacturers use wording on labels such as "fat burner" or "detoxifies" or "natural viagra" or the "#1 rated herbal" for impotence or "herbal fen-phen" to suggest the impossible. Manufacturers use creative borderline language that complies technically with the law, but is generally confusing and deceptive. These types of misleading claims are apparently permissible under the new laws and mislead consumers into believing these products are safe, when many clearly can have serious side effects.

HEALTH RISKS OF EPHEDRA
Ephedra has been known to cause side effects ranging in scope from extremely mild to severe and life threatening.

Due to a higher risk of side effects, you should not be taking Ephedra if you suffer from any of the following:

Heart disease	Thyroid Disorder
Diabetes	Glaucoma
Kidney Stones	Anorexia
Gastric Ulcers	Bulimia
Anxiety Disorder	High Blood Pressure
Hypothyroidism	Cerebral Insufficinency
Insomnia	Depression
Enlarged Prostate	Urinary Retention

Ephedra should also not to be taken if you:

• Are nursing or pregnant
• Are under 18 or over 65
• Are taking MOA inhibitors (generally used to treat depression)
• Have not consulted your physician

Side Effects of Ephedra include, but are not limited to:

Heart Attack	Stroke
Depression	Convulsions
Heart Palpitations	Hypertension
Jitteriness	Insomnia
Headaches	Urination Disturbances
Tachycardia (Rapid Heart Beat)	Paraniod Psychosis
Coma	Vomiting
Repertory Depression	Anxiety
Hives & Itching	Euphoria
Dry Mouth	General Weakness
Fever	Nervousness

Many consumers may not be aware that certain products contain Ephedra.

Click Here for a List of Products Containing Ephedra

If you have taken Ephedra and suffered injury as a result, you may want to consult an experienced product liability attorney. Brown & Crouppen may be able to get you compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering. Call us at 421-HELP and set up a no charge legal consultation.