Ephedra or ephedrine alkaloids known by other names including ma huang, mao and sea grape were banned from use in dietary weight-loss products by the FDA in 2004. This decision was based on numerous studies that linked its use to heart attacks, stroke and death. In the years since, the weight-loss industry has marketed many other ephedrine-free products, but the jury is out on their safety and effectiveness.
Considerations
Weight gain is the result of taking in more calories than you burn. The only safe and effective means to long-term weight loss is burning more calories that you consume whether by diet modification, exercise of a combination of both. According to data gathered by the World Health Organization, there are more than 1 billion overweight adults in the world today. In the U.S. alone, the market for weight-loss products is over $60 billion.
Next Generation
In 2004, just one month after products containing ephedrine were pulled from the market, the "Los Angeles Times" published an article regarding concerns about the safety of ephedra-free products. The article focused on the dangerous effects of another botanical added to weight-loss products called bitter orange. Like ephedra, bitter orange is a stimulant and is the main ingredient used in many of the ephedrine-free products. The herb called citrus aurantium is also known as sour orange, Seville orange or zhi shi.
Bitter Orange
Bitter orange has largely replaced ephedrine as the appetite-reducing stimulant in ephedrine-free diet products. Chemically, it is known as synephrine and is the culprit that resulted in tachycardia, cardiac arrest and ventricular fibrillation reported by users, according to "ADVANCE for Nurses" magazine. The publication also reported the results of two studies that found it took only one dose of a diet pill containing bitter orange to increase heart rate and blood pressure in healthy young adults.
Other Options
If you are trying to avoid products with stimulants, an over-the-counter diet supplement known as SENSA allegedly works by stimulating smell and taste receptors in your brain to release a hormone that creates feelings of fullness. The product, which is sprinkled on food, contains soy, milk, tricalcium phosphate, carmine and maltodextrin, but does not contain stimulants. The manufacturer of the products cites a clinical study that has not been validated or published in a peer-reviewed medical or scientific journal.
Before using a diet pill or weight-loss supplement, talk with your health care provider. The ingredients in some products can affect the efficacy of prescription medications you may be taking.
References
- "American Journal of Medicine"; Hemodynamic Effects of Ephedra-Free...; CA Haller, et al.; Sept. 2005
- US Department of Health and Human Services: Detention Without Examination of Dietary Supplements and Bulk Dietary Ingredients Containing Ephedrine Alkaloids From All Countries
- "Los Angeles Times": Ephedra-free Weight-loss Supplements Scrutinized; Shari Roan; July 2004
- Sensa Weight-Loss System: How It Works
- National Library of Medicine National Institutess of Health:Ephedra and Ephedrine for Weight Loss and Athletic Performance Enhancement: Clinical Efficacy and Side Effects: Summary
- C-Health: Study: Ephedra-free Weight Loss Aids Pose Similar Risks
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