Office of Dietary Supplements ODS , National Institutes of Health NIH ODS seeks to strengthen knowledge and understanding of dietary supplements by evaluating scientific information, supporting research, sharing research results, and educating the public. Key References. Natural Medicines website. Accessed at naturalmedicines. Efficacy and safety of ephedra and ephedrine for weight loss and athletic performance: a meta-analysis.
Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. Food and Drug Administration. Final rule declaring dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids adulterated because they present an unreasonable risk.
Federal Register. Share Email Facebook Twitter. But until more is known about Citrus aurantium weight-loss products, however, Gurley urges caution. In the meantime, whether the federal government pulls ephedra off the market -- as the American Medical Assn. The safety report ordered by the Bush administration is due out early next year and could help government and industry leaders reach a consensus on how to best regulate ephedra.
The Rand Corp. Industry representatives are working with the FDA to create labeling for all ephedra products that would state proper dosage and which individuals should avoid taking the herb, said Michael McGuffin, president of the American Herbal Products Assn.
But, Blumenthal notes, some herb supplement makers feel the entire herbal field is being dragged down by the safety questions surrounding ephedra. All Sections. About Us. B2B Publishing. Business Visionaries. Hot Property. It is also used by some athletes who believe it can improve their performance. It may be combined with herbs containing caffeine such as guarana or with other substances in these supplements. Ephedra, also known as ma huang , has also been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat asthma or other lung problems.
Because ephedra is marketed by companies as a supplement not a drug to treat a disease , the US Food and Drug Administration FDA does not regulate its use. However, many serious adverse bad effects related to ephedra use have been reported. Recent research has shown that use of ephedra appears to be more risky than use of other herbal preparations.
The March 26,, issue of JAMA includes an article about the efficacy and safety of ephedra and ephedrine. Ephedrine is a chemical contained in the ephedra herb. Ephedrine has medical uses, mostly in operating rooms and intensive care units. Its chemical properties raise blood pressure and heart rate and open up the large air passages in the lungs. Ephedrine is safe when used under the supervision of a doctor and with proper monitoring of the patient.
Ephedrine has also been used as a weight loss product and by athletes who believe it makes them stronger or have more energy and endurance. However, this has not been proven and this type of unmonitored use for nonmedical reasons may not be safe.
The plant ephedra gained popularity as a possible candidate in the s and became a common ingredient in dietary supplements until the mids. While some studies showed it could boost metabolism and weight loss, safety concerns were noted as well. Ephedra sinica , also called ma huang, is a plant native to Asia, though it also grows in other areas around the world. While the plant contains multiple chemical compounds, the major effects of ephedra are likely caused by the molecule ephedrine 3.
Ephedrine exerts multiple effects within your body, such as increasing metabolic rate and fat burning 4 , 5. For these reasons, ephedrine has been studied for its ability to reduce body weight and body fat. In the past, it gained substantial popularity in weight loss supplements. However, due to safety concerns, supplements containing specific types of compounds found in ephedra — called ephedrine alkaloids — have been banned in several countries, including the United States 1.
The plant ephedra ma huang contains multiple chemical compounds, but the most notable is ephedrine. This molecule impacts several bodily processes and was used as a popular dietary supplement ingredient prior to being banned in several countries. Much of the studies examining the effects of ephedra on weight loss occurred between the s and early s — before supplements containing ephedrine were banned. Although multiple components of ephedra may impact your body, the most notable effects are likely due to ephedrine.
Several studies showed that ephedrine increases resting metabolic rate — the number of calories your body burns at rest — which may be due to an increase in the number of calories burned by your muscles 4 , 6.
Ephedrine can also boost the fat-burning process in your body 7 , 8. One study found that the number of calories burned over 24 hours was 3. Another study observed that when obese individuals went on a very-low-calorie diet, their metabolic rate dropped. However, this was partially prevented by taking ephedrine 9.
In addition to the short-term changes in metabolism, some studies show that ephedrine can promote weight and fat loss over longer time periods. In five studies of ephedrine compared to a placebo, ephedrine led to weight loss of 3 pounds 1.
However, long-term data on the usefulness of ephedrine for weight loss is lacking
0コメント