Ephedra & Brain Damage

Ephedra is an herb that has been traditionally used in Asian folk medicine as a treatment for a variety of respiratory problems. Ephedra became popular in Western countries as a dietary supplement that retailers purported could increase your athletic stamina and help you lose weight. Researchers, however, discovered a strong link between ephedra use and medical conditions that result in permanent brain damage. Ephedra can no longer be sold over the counter; it can only be used under the direction and supervision of a doctor who can quickly identify the development of any potential side effects.

Ephedra

Ephedra, also known as ma huang and Ephedra sinica, is a shrub native to regions in India, China and Pakistan. The ancient Chinese used the small branches and leaves of the ephedra plant in concoctions to treat bronchitis and asthma. Modern medical uses of the herb revolve primarily around alleviating the symptoms of respiratory infections. However, ephedra also became a popular ingredient in weight loss and energy-enhancing supplements that often combined high doses of ephedra with other compounds, such as caffeine. It was these supplements that research suggests were responsible for causing side effects that damaged the brain.

Effect on the Brain

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine says that between 1995 and 1997, dozens of people reported suffering from strokes or seizures that caused permanent brain damage after using supplements containing ephedra. In 2004, Rhea McAllister, a woman who suffered a brain-damaging stroke while using an ephedra supplement, was awarded $7.4 million in a lawsuit she brought against the supplement's manufacturer, Metabolife International. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, research indicates that supplements combining caffeine and ephedra were significantly more likely to cause potentially brain-damaging side effects in users. This may occur because ephedrine, the active compound in ephedra, is a strong nervous system stimulant whose effects may be magnified by caffeine. The high doses of ephedra contained in many weight loss supplements have also been linked to sharp increases in blood pressure.

Expert Insight

In 2004, the Food and Drug Administration banned the use of ephedra in unregulated dietary supplements. Part of the decision stemmed from a study published in "The New England Journal of Medicine." The study found that of 140 reports of side effects received by the FDA about ephedra, five involved cardiac arrests that ended in either death or permanent brain damage and four involved disabling strokes. The researchers theorized that many more ephedra users were possibly experiencing severe side effects, but the problems weren't being connected with ephedra. They advised that ephedra be used only with extreme caution.

Other Side Effects

Ephedra can cause a number of other side effects, including dizziness, insomnia, vomiting, anxiety, headaches, digestive system problems and mood swings. If you are given a prescription for an ephedra-containing product, do not use it with cough or cold medication, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, theophylline, blood thinners, furazolidone, blood pressure-controlling drugs such as beta-blockers or diuretics, or any products containing sodium bicarbonate, sodium acetate or sodium citrate. Ephedra should never be used by pregnant or nursing women, children, the elderly or anyone with a history of high blood pressure, diabetes, glaucoma, seizures or thyroid or cardiovascular disorders.