Ephedra Supplements for Weight Loss

With the pressure to look skinnier and skinnier, it is understandable why some people resort to supplements such as ephedra products. Ephedra--or ephedrine--does help in weight loss, particularly in combination with caffeine. However, you may find that the side effects are not worth the quick weight loss.

Facts

According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, ephedra is a Chinese plant, that is also known as ma huang. It is not approved in the United States as a weight-loss drug. The synthetic alkaloids ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are derived from this plant and are used in over-the-counter decongestants and cold medicines, as well as to treat asthma. In addition, ephedrine is used to treat low-blood pressure.

Weight Loss

The use of ephedrine is associated with some weight loss, but not long-lasting weight loss. Ephedra-induced weight loss has only proven effective for "less than or equal to six months," according to the NIH. There are no long-term studies of its effect.

Diet pills often use some form of ephedra in combination with caffeine and appetite suppressants to create a product that will make you lose weight. Metabolife is a leading producer. The drug combination makes the heart beat faster, which fools the body into thinking it is exercising. While weight loss on ephedra is indeed possible, keep in mind that as soon as you stop taking these pills, you are likely to regain your lost weight.

Safety

There are no studies that conclusively say that taking ephedra dietary supplements is unsafe. According to the NIH, the think tank RAND has analyzed adverse event reports filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and with a manufacturer of diet pills using ephedra, as well as published case reports. RAND concluded that there was not enough data available as of July 1, 2004, to determine whether dietary supplements containing ephedra may be responsible for serious adverse advents like sudden deaths, myocardial infarctions, cerebrovascular accidents, seizures, and serious psychiatric illnesses. More studies are needed to make such a case. Still, you might want to think twice before you use ephedra supplements to lose weight. Ephedra may cause side effects such as nausea, headaches, nervousness, insomnia and irregular heartbeats.