3 Ways to Determine Safety of Ephedra-Based Diet Pills

1. Know the History

Examine the controversy around ephedra and you'll see why it is so difficult to determine the safety of ephedra-based diet pills. The FDA started to examine the effects of ephedra on the heart and put out a report back in 2000, and while the ban of the sale of ephedra came into effect in April of 2004, about a year later it was struck down by the court system. All this while a study available on the FDA's own website showed ephedra's effectiveness saying it is more effective than a placebo to help people reach their short-term weight loss goals. That said, there are studies that conclude this extract can cause heart-related problems. In the end, the supplement companies win because they are able to put ephedrine in their products and it is effective at helping you lose weight.

2. Guard Your Heart

Are you willing to risk the chance of heart attack, stroke and other heart related issues? If you don't have a family history of heart disease or any other risk factors of heart disease, or if you're simply so desperate to lose weight that you'll try anything, then the answer to question might be yes.Taking this risk, especially if you have heart disease, however, may lead you down a road you don't want to go. There are alternatives to ephedra-based products, and things you can do while using ephedra-based products that can limit your risk of increased heart disease. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends increasing your intake of fatty fish, such as salmon, to help reduce the risk of heart disease. You might consider taking a fish oil supplement, but stay away from the omega-3 plant based oils. The studies done by the AHA show dramatic results with the fish and fish based products, but the omega-3s found in flax just don't measure up.

3. Look for Standardization

While the FDA's ruling was overturned, the lawsuit that started the process was about a product that only contained 10mg of ephedrine standardized. This means the ephedra, or ma huang extract, that was tested only contained 10mg of the chemical ephedrine. Standardization is an extra, and rather expensive step that nutritional supplement companies do not have to legally take. If you're considering a supplement that is not standardized, put it down. You could be getting way more ephedrine in one dose than you expect. The simple fact is, without standardization, you don't know how much you are getting. Aside from that, standardized ephedra based supplements should contain no more than 10mg of ephedrine.