Excerpted from Los Angeles Times, Monday, 27 August 2002.

Ephedra's Effect On The Body

Ephedra compounds are derived from the ma huang shrub native to China. Even small doses of these extracts noticeably stimulate the central nervous system, researchers say, and heighten alertness. But documenting potential adverse effects and who's at risk has been difficult.

Effects:

Researchers consider 25 milligrams to be the recommended, "therapeutic" dose, usually given with about 200 milligrams of caffeine. One dose usually produces:

• Heart rate quickens
• Bronchial airways open, making more oxygen available
• Blood vessels constrict, increasing blood pressure

Potential Dangers:

Some people react more strongly to ephedra compounds than others. In a recent study of adverse events reported to the FDA, researchers found that a variety of problems were definitely or probably due to the supplements. They included:

• Hypertension
• Palpitations, and/or rapid heart rate
• Arrhythmia
• Cardiac arrest, or sudden death
• Stroke

Source: New England Journal of Medicine, Dec. 21, 2000

Sampling of popular products containing ephedra extracts:

• Metabolife
• Ripped Fuel
• Diet Fuel
• Stacker 3
• NaturalTRIM
• Hydroxycut
• Xenadrine RFA-1
• Metab-O-Lite
• Metabolift
• Up Your Gas
• Truckers Luv It
• Yellow Jackets

Label ingredients indicating ephedra compounds:

• Ephedra
• Ma huang
• Ephedrine
• Ephedra sinica
• Sida cordifolia
• Epitonin
• Pseudoephedrine
• Methyl ephedrine

Ingredients that contain other stimulants, such as caffeine:

• Guarana
• Kola nut
• Yerba mate
• Citrus aurantium
• DMAE

Excerpted from Los Angeles Times, Monday, 27 August 2002.