Ephedra, also known as ma huang, is a supplement that seems to promote weight loss when taken with caffeine. Safety concerns, including hypertension, tachycardia, arrhythmia, heart attack, and stroke, have been linked to ephedrine use, according to MayoClinic.com. The FDA prohibited sales of dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids in 2004 due to ephedra presenting unreasonable risks of illness or injury.
Ephedra and Weight Loss
In a consumer advisory from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, "the ingredient ephedrine is an amphetamine-like compound that can powerfully stimulate the nervous system and heart."(See Reference 2) Ephedra appears to cause weight loss when used in conjunction with caffeine, according to MayoClinic.com. However, adverse effects of this drug outweigh the weight loss benefits. Also reported by the MayoClinic were the thousands of serious ill effects from various ephedrine-containing products collected by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.(See Reference 1)
Potential Health Risks
Adverse effects can occur in some users of ephedrine. In certain situations, these can become life threatening. Ephedra has caused heart attack, stroke, seizure and sudden death in a number of users, according to MayoClinic.com. Even though the diet supplement has been banned, people can still find and purchase it online.
Safety
The "U.S. Food and Drug Administration has collected thousands of reports of serious adverse effects, including over 100 deaths from the use of various products containing ephedrine," according to MayoClinic.com. The U.S. federal government has banned the sale of ephedra since 2004 due to dangerous effects. MayoClinic.com warns that all individuals should "stop using ephedra weight loss supplements immediately as it has been linked to numerous adverse health effects including death."
Alternate Names for Ephedra
Even though ephedra supplements have been banned for sale, several ingredients made from ephedrine alkaloids still appear in diet pills and energy boosters. According to a Consumer's Union fact sheet, "common names for these ingredients found on product labels include ma huang, sida cordifolia and pinellia." Manufacturers now produce ephedra-free options, including bitter orange and green tea extract. Ingredients are often combined with each other and with caffeine, yielding mixtures that may pose dangers similar to ephedra.
Safe Weight Loss Alternative
In conjunction with proper exercise and nutrition, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplementation poses a safer alternative to ephedrine weight loss products. CLA is a fatty acid related to omega-6 fatty acids, which is one of the three types of essential fatty acids. According to a Douglas Laboratories newsletter, the University of Wisconsin performed a six-month study involving 89 overweight individuals to determine the effects of CLA supplementation on weight loss. Individuals who supplemented their diets with CLA were better able to lose weight and maintain goal weight, with less fat regained and more muscle mass retained.
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