Weight Loss Information from experts |
|
Ephedra Is Back - But Is It Safe?
It's been called the world's oldest medicine, the miracle fat burner, and is known in some parts of the U.S. as "Mormon tea." Ephedra (also called Ma-huang or epitonin) has been used for its healing powers for more than 5000 years by the Chinese, who discovered the plant's healing properties. So why was it banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2004, and more importantly, why was the ban recently lifted? What is Ephedra? Ephedra grows all over the world, and in the Western United States, this flowering shrub can be found in deserts and sagebrush areas. The plant can be ground into powder for capsules, or dried and used in tea. Ephedrine is the "active" ingredient in ephedra, responsible for its healing properties. Ephedrine is a nerve stimulant similar to adrenaline, but not as strong as amphetamine. What Does It Do? Dieters have long known the powerful effects of ephedra in promoting weight loss. Basically, ephedrine creates a thermogenic response, speeding up metabolism and expediting the body's fat burning rate while preserving muscle. Ephedra has proved to be particularly effective for people with a slow metabolism, who have previously had trouble losing weight. Additionally, ephedrine can be used to treat bronchial asthma and cough by relaxing the air passages in the lungs. For this same reason, the plant is helpful in treating the effects allergies and hay fever. Ephedra can assist in fighting a minor cold by causing perspiration and urination (to relieve swelling and fluid retention). Alternative uses for ephedra include treating muscle and joint conditions such as bursitis, arthritis, and rheumatism. A synthetic (man-made) replacement, called pseudoephedrine, was created and is widely used in common over-the-counter medications such as Sudafed. Why the Ban? Possible side effects of ephedrine include insomnia, dry mouth, nervousness, general weakness, poor digestion, irritability, headache, dizziness, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, and heart palpitations. Not surprisingly, this list is markedly similar to over-the-counter medications with the active ingredient pseudoephedrine. Some argue that the pharmaceutical companies have organized lobbyists to target ephedra because it was cutting into their sales for weight loss drugs and asthma drugs (bronchodilators). Others believe ephedra is not dangerous, but simply got some bad press as a result of a handful of people who intentionally misused ephedra or a synthetic replication of the isolated part of ephedra (ephedrine). Ephedra activists insist that human nature simply cannot be regulated and no one can control how people use (or abuse) any supplement, herb, or drug. How can you protect customers who ignore warning labels or double their doses? The FDA inflicted a ban on ephedra in late 2003 (which became effective in early 2004), declaring an "unreasonable risk." This decision was based on public comments, literature review, adverse event reports and scientific studies. Dieters were devastated, feeling that their right to safely and appropriately use this herb had been stripped from them. Why Was the Ban Lifted? After the conclusion of several court cases (including some high-profile cases), the FDA stated in its final ruling that only five deaths were attributed solely and directly to ephedra. Keep in mind, according to the American Herbal Products Association, approximately 12 to 17 million people consumed ephedra during 1999. Ephedra sales in 2002 were close to $1.3 billion. What you may not know is that in 1994, over 100,000 people died due to adverse reactions or overconsumption of prescription drugs. Is Ephedra Safe to Use? According to the FDA, ephedra is safe for human consumption when it is taken in the recommended dosages, and when all warning labels are strictly observed. Obviously, women who are pregnant or nursing, and people with certain diseases (such as high blood pressure) should NOT consume ephedra or ephedrine. It is advised that you check with your physician before taking ephedra. Where Can You Get Ephedra? Currently, one company claims to be the only U.S. supplier of ephedra for weight loss. You can purchase ephedra online at www.BetaFuelDirect.com Amy S. Grant is an avid fitness enthusiast who enjoys SCUBA diving, photography, and empowering people to achieve their goals.
MORE RESOURCES: Weight loss drugs like Ozempic may be up for Medicare price negotiations — will Trump support it? NBC News Intermittent fasting aids weight loss and boosts heart health in obesity, study finds Medical Xpress I’m a weight-loss doctor — the unusual complication I’m seeing from Ozempic-like drugs New York Post Will Biotech Stocks Make A Comeback In 2025? Investor's Business Daily Camp Zama’s annual weight loss contest to encourage healthy living United States Army F45 Training Expands Partnership With Dr. B to Support Prescription Weight Loss Programs With New Holistic Approach Business Wire VIDEO: Understanding pros and cons of medical weight loss drugs: What you need to know - WIS News 10 Kickstart your weight loss goals KSHB 41 Kansas City News Intermittent Fasting Shows Benefits for Weight Loss and Glucose Regulation Technology Networks Eli Lilly (LLY) Vs Novo Nordisk (NVO): Which is the Best Weight Loss Stock for 2025? - Yahoo Finance Verdiva Bio joins weight loss race with $411M Series A PitchBook News & Analysis Another Weight Loss Jab? Soil Microbe Injections Prevent Weight-Gain in Mice Technology Networks Metsera links GLP-1 drug to 11% weight loss after 12 weeks, teeing up trial of monthly dosing Fierce Biotech GNC, Jenny Craig debut GNC Total Lean Program for weight loss Drug Store News Does the memory of body cells influence health and weight loss? Medical News Today Found introducing oral dissolvable GLP-1 tablet at reduced price Fierce healthcare 'Bachelorette' Star Explains 20-Pound Weight Loss Ahead of 'Special Forces' Premiere (Exclusive) Parade Magazine Food categories to feel impact of weight-loss drugs BakingBusiness.com Jonathan Van Ness credits weight loss drugs for bringing binge eating disorder under control Yahoo New Zealand News 5 New Rules To Revolutionize Your Weight Loss Strategy in 2025 Muscle & Fitness LifeVantage: Bold Move Into The GLP-1 Weight Loss Market Turns Out To Be A Major Winner - Buy Seeking Alpha Kathy Bates Turns Heads on 2025 Golden Globes Red Carpet 4 Months After Debuting 100-Lb. Weight Loss PEOPLE Oatzempic, chia seed water, and every TikTok weight loss trend ranked by an expert The Laconia Daily Sun As weight loss drug demand soars, physician outlines effectiveness and potential downsides PBS NewsHour Jonathan Van Ness Opens Up About Using Weight Loss Shots EDGE Media Network 5 Fitness Resolutions That Have Nothing to Do With Weight Loss The New York Times Lose 5 kg in 1 week? Fitness trainer shares 'guaranteed' weight loss diet plan but with a warning Hindustan Times Queer Eye's Jonathan Van Ness breaks silence on using weight loss drug: 'I have a confession to make' Hindustan Times Man fasted for a year to shed 276 lbs: Revisiting his incredible weight loss journey The Times of India Indoor Walking Is Helping Women Lose Weight This Winter: Learn More About the Effective Workout First For Women Verdiva launches with $410M series A to fund weekly-dosed weight loss drug trials, pipeline growth Fierce Biotech F.D.A. Approves Weight Loss Drug to Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea The New York Times Weight-loss surgery has lasting benefits in teens National Institutes of Health Preserving muscle with GLP-1 weight loss drugs: Big deal or nothing to worry about? The Conversation Indonesia Mitolyn Review 2025: For Weight Loss Supplement At USA Fountain Hills Times 11 simple and practical fat-loss tips from people who lost weight and kept it off - Business Insider Popular diabetes and weight-loss drug may reduce risk of Alzheimer’s disease The Daily | Case Western Reserve University Weight loss injections and cancer: 6 questions, answered MD Anderson Cancer Center Java Burn Reviews 2025: Can This WEIGHT LOSS Drink Really Transform Your Energy & Health? Daily Independent Medicare To Cover Eli Lilly's Weight Loss Drug Zepbound For Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment Benzinga Do the new weight-loss drugs improve your health? Harvard Health Digital Health Companies Brace for Ad-mageddon 2.0 The Information An extra 10 gram of THIS nutrient can help in weight loss: Expert The Times of India Weight Loss Drugs 101: Benefits and risks you need to know before picking up a prescription VCU Health Do weight loss drugs really work - and can you even get them in NZ? New Zealand Herald |
RELATED ARTICLES
Playing Games Does Not Help Your Weight Loss Efforts Have you ever wondered why some fat people can be playing tennis, swimming and jogging often, yet they never lose weight?Many overweight people began playing tennis, walking, running or swimming because they were told that these activities are aerobic and therefore, beneficial to weight loss.So, is it really true that aerobic activities promote weight loss?Technically it is true that aerobic programmes do help. Fire Your Diet *Do you truly believe that not eating or cutting back on calories will cause weight to be lost?*Guess what you are correct -You Heard Me, the WEIGHT will come off.**In 9-12 weeks you could lose those 25 lbs. 4 Tips for Fast Fat Loss Part I Fat Loss Tip #1) Train With WeightsWorking out with weights when trying to lose body fat has numerous important benefits. First, an intense weight training session burns calories during the actual workout. Diet Tips for Weight Loss: Free Diet Tips Which You Cant Afford to Miss! Obesity is a disease that is not caused by a bacteria or virus but a person's own eating habits. It is a disease which is very easy to get rid of just by changing your food habits. Weight Loss in Children What is "too young" to begin a weight loss program with children? Is there actually such a thing? There are many different opinions on the topic of child obesity but one thing everyone can agree on is that it is becoming an epidemic in North America. Many reports show that obesity now kills more people in a year than smoking does. 9 Quick Ways To Conquer Cellulite In our never ending search for the illusive "Fountain of Youth," nothing strikes a chord like the term "cellulite." Interestingly, the term "cellulite" was first introduced to us by a fashion magazine. Low Salt Diet Tips for Kids and Adults Our bodies only require a small amount of salt for proper nutrition. But the fact is that we all, including our children, consume way more salt -or rather, the sodium - than we should. On A Weight Loss Plan -- Lose Even More! Plan to eat two to three hours and pack health snacks to go. People who skip meals, especially breakfast, are more likely to be obese. Weighing in on Weight Loss Dieters have long searched for secret paths to easy weight loss. Soon enough, anyone trying to lose weight will discover a mind-boggling variety of weight loss plans, even some that appear to contradict others. Do You Make These South Beach Diet Mistakes? The South Beach Diet works, for most people. Its low fat, low carb approach helps you lose weight quickly and easily. Losing Weight: The Simple Science of Losing Weight Are you committed to losing weight and keeping it off? Then, it is time to discover the science of losing weight. Losing weight is the result of a chemical reaction that takes place in the body where stored fat is used for energy. Action Plan to Take the Weight Off This Year Addicted to Restaurants Are you addicted to restaurants? So are lots of Americans. What used to be a "treat," going out for dinner, has become more common that cooking at home, and we think we're better off? Think again. A Mediterranean Diet - How to Lose Weight Safely If you are looking for a way to lose fifteen pounds in two weeks, a high protein diet, a low carb diet, a fruit diet, a no fat diet, a blood type diet, a juice fast, a diet named after a place in Miami, a grapefruit diet, a cactus diet, a coffee and cigarette diet, a diet that includes sweets, a diet based on your body type, a diet based on an ancient religion or a diet based on your hair color, then this article is NOT for you.Fad and crash diets, such as the ones described above are not only unhealthy but they also cause rebound weight gain. New Hope for Attaining--and Maintaining--A Healthy Body Weight The percentage of Americans who are overweight and obese is increasing very rapidly. "Overweight" is defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) from 25. Weight Loss - Its in Your Head When you truly consider the weight-loss process, the battle waged is mostly in your mind. "Should I eat the corn muffin with butter or would it be better for me to have margarine or better yet, have jelly? What am I doing eating this muffin anyway? It's so caloric and filled with saturated fat. Abdominal Liposuction - When Diets Dont Work Abdominal liposuction refers to liposuction, or lipoplasty, that is performed on the torso area. Most candidates for this procedure have attempted a diet and exercise routine but are unable to achieve their goal of a flatter stomach. Gastric Bypass Surgery - Weighing The Risks of Obesity Weight Loss Surgery RISING POPULARITYGastric bypass surgery has become a popular surgical procedure in the last 5 years as a radical option for clinically obese patients to manage weight loss. During this time several notable celebrities have undergone this procedure such as Carnie Wilson, Al Roker, ? and ?. Teenage Weight Loss -- How Teenagers Can Safely Lose Weight Teenagers with body mass indices between 25 and 30 require immediate medical attention. The internal stress caused from so much weight almost guarantees the premature development of medical problems such as diabetes, heart disease, cancers, and stroke. Milk: The Weight Loss Drug Lose Weight - Grab A GlassIn childhood, we heard it: Drink a glass of milk at every meal. Now TV commercials are touting the weight-loss effects of milk and other dairy products. Why Did Your Diet Fail You? Or Did You Fail Your Diet? Are you someone who has, in the past, been on a diet, only to find at the end of it you had lost no weight? Despite putting your best efforts into the diet much of the time, and keeping quite close to recommendations when it came to calories and so on, for some reason things did not quite work out. Eventually, with the pounds drifting off too slowly and back on again too quickly, you just gave up, and went back to "normal". |
© KeralaClick.com 2006 |