Ephedra (Chinese: ma huang) is a medicinal product derived from the Chinese conifer plant. Different types of plants belonging to the genus ephedra have been used for a long time and are used for various medical purposes. Ephedra has been used in Chinese medicine for more than 2000 years. Native Americans brewed tea from various types of ephedra, it was also called "Mormon tea".
The Mormon tea was made from the Ephedra funerea plant, which grows in the wild in Fiery Furnace, Arches national Park, near Moab, Utah. In the United States, dietary supplements containing ephedra alkaloids have been deemed unsafe in recent years. There have been reports of serious side effects associated with the use of ephedra. In response to the accumulated data on side effects that are somehow associated with the use of ephedra, the US food and drug Administration (FDA) in early 2004 banned the sale of supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids. The ban was soon challenged by ephedra manufacturers, but the ban was upheld in 2006 by a U.S. court of Appeals decision. Ephedra extracts that do not contain ephedrine alkaloids have not been banned by the FDA and are still sold legally. Currently, all sports supplements produced in the United States that contain ephedra extracts do not contain ephedrine alkaloids(in particular, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, norephedrine, and methylephedrine) and are therefore allowed for sale.
Effects of ephedra
Ephedra belongs to the class of thermogenic additives. Thermogenic Fat Burners (also sometimes pronounced thermogenics) are fat burners whose action is based mainly on increasing heat production. As a rule, all thermogenics speed up the metabolism, activate the activity of the Central nervous system and suppress appetite.
To date, a wide variety of alkaloid and non-alkaloid compounds have been identified that are found in ephedra. Of the 6 ephedrine-type ingredients found in ephedra, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are considered the most common. The stimulating and thermogenic effect of Ephedra and other compounds is justified by the presence of the alkaloids ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. These compounds stimulate the brain, increase heart rate, constrict blood vessels (increasing blood pressure), and expand the bronchi (making it easier to breathe). Their thermogenic properties cause an acceleration of metabolism, as evidenced by an increase in body temperature. Ephedra is widely used by athletes as a means to increase performance. It is used as an aid to weight loss, sometimes in combination with aspirin and caffeine. Some studies in controlled and controlled settings have shown that ephedra is effective for small short-term weight loss (0.9 kg / month more than in the placebo group), although it has not been tested whether such weight loss persists. However, a number of adverse effects related to ephedra supplements have also been documented. Side effects of ephedra may include severe skin reactions, irritability, nervousness, dizziness, shivering, headache, insomnia, excessive sweating, dehydration, itchy scalp and body, vomiting, and hyperthermia.
Use in sports
Ephedrine is banned by the International Olympic Committee and the world anti-doping Agency. The national football League banned players from using ephedra as a dietary Supplement in 2001 after the death of Minnesota Vikings forward Cory Stringer. However, ephedra is still widely used by athletes. In 2006, a survey of hockey players found that almost half of them used ephedra, believing it boosted their athletic performance.
Use of additives containing ephedra extract
Drink a sufficient amount of liquid - at least 2.5 liters per day (total), otherwise there is dehydration, which threatens numerous complications. The drug suppresses the feeling of thirst and increases fluid loss, so control the amount of water you drink. To prevent sleeplessness, do not take the drug in the second half of the day. If there are other pronounced side effects, reduce the dose of ephedrine or completely cancel. Do not take this medicine if you have contraindications. For complete safety, ephedrine should be approved by your doctor.
Contraindications to supplements containing ephedra extract
- Do not take supplements in conjunction with antidepressants (MAO inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, and some others).
- Diseases of the cardiovascular system (CHD, a history of heart attack, arrhythmias, etc.)
- High blood pressure
- Glaucoma
- Hypertrophy of the prostate
- Pheochromocytoma
- Pregnancy and lactation
- Age less than 18 years (relative contraindication).
- If you have any medical conditions or are taking medication, consult your doctor before using it.
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