Ephedra
Ma Huang (an herb commonly known as Ephedra) has been used for over 5,000 years. Centuries ago, in China, Ma Huang was used to treat many ailments including; asthma, the common cold, flu, cough, nasal congestion, and other aches and pains. More than a hundred years ago settlers in the Western United States used the desert plant to make tea. The tea was commonly used to treat respiratory illness and to increase energy.
Ephedra was widely marketed as a thermogenic (fat-burner) in the 90s. Dieters and bodybuilders were drawn to the thermogenic properties of ephedra along with the natural energy boost that comes from using this stimulant. Ephedra’s effects come from the ephedrine and pseudoephedrine content in the herb.
Ephedra resembles adrenaline in the way it affects the nervous system. Ephedra stimulates the central nervous system and causes an increase in heart rate, blood pressure (by constricting blood vessels), increases metabolism, natural diaphoretic (causes perspiration), expands bronchial tubes, and gives the user a boost of energy and a “buzzed” feeling. Ephedra has been called “herbal ecstasy” because of the boost it tends to give the user.
Ephedra may have a mild appetite suppressant effect. This and the thermogenic properties along with being a CNS stimulant make ephedra attractive to bodybuilders and dieters alike. An additional 150-200 calories may be burned daily by using ephedra as a dietary supplement. Adding ephedra to a routine of diet and exercise can have positive health effects including weight loss and lean muscle mass retention.
Research has shown people who lost weight using ephedra maintained or gained muscle mass. Some bodybuilders use ephedra for this effect. Bodybuilders have also used ephedra to assist with weight loss for appearance purposes before competitions and photo shoots. Bodybuilders who do this start a few weeks before a photo shoot by adding ephedra to an exercise and weight loss plan to keep their muscle mass while burning excess fat.
Many supplements that include ephedra in them include another stimulant, usually caffeine. A combination of ephedra and either caffeine, guarana seed extract or green tea leaf extract can have the effect of adrenaline in the body. The combination of multiple stimulants this way increases the stress put on the cardiovascular system. Exercise in addition to a combination product of this sort may put enough stress on the cardiovascular system that heart failure can result.
The “buzzed” feeling associated with taking ephedra goes away after extended use. The thermogenic effects still continue, the body just gets used to the effects and the buzzed feeling goes away. This might tempt people to increase the dosage because they mistakenly think the buzzed feeling was a way to tell the drug was actually burning fat.
Ephedra, as any other supplement, should be used with caution. Side effects of ephedra can include; skin reactions, increased body temperature, nervousness, dizziness, irritability, headache, trembling, insomnia, profuse sweating, dehydration, itchy skin and scalp, vomiting, irregular heart beat, stroke, heart attack, or death.
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