Ephedra is a stimulant derived from a Chinese herb that increases heart rate, blood pressure, and metabolism. It was widely used as a weight loss supplement but was banned by the FDA in 2004 due to dangerous side effects like heart attacks, strokes, and death. The author recounts their own experience using ephedra as a bodybuilder which caused heart palpitations and led them to avoid stimulants permanently for health reasons. Athletes may be at risk from ephedra without knowing of underlying heart conditions, so it is best to consult a doctor before using any supplements, especially stimulants.

1. EPHEDRA: NOT THE WAVE OF THE FUTURE…

2. EPHEDRA: Where does it come from? Ephedra is the genus name, deriving from Chinese herbology , from the ephedrine family Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are the active components of the plant. Certain species have the alkaloid component and certain ones don’t. The active alkaloid component within the ephedrine family is what is illegal and prohibited in sports. It is considered an performance enhancing drug There are 40+ species worldwide of Ephedra, with over 12 of them being found in Southern California (see above) www.hhs.gov www.fda.org/ephedra

3. What Is Ephedra? Ephedra is also known as Ma Huang, which comes from ancient Chinese medicinal uses Traditional uses were for ailments such as the common cold, asthma and hay fever. It is known to be a stimulant, which means that it constricts the blood vessels and increases blood pressure and heart rate www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ephedra

4. Why is it Dangerous? Side effects of ephedra may include severe skin reactions, hypertension, irritability, nervousness, dizziness, trembling, headache, insomnia, profuse perspiration, dehydration, itchy scalp and skin, vomiting, hyperthermia, irregular heartbeat, seizures, heart attack, stroke and death* www.fda.org/ephedra

6. The thermogenic properties that it contains make it particularly marketable to the dieting world, as it increases the rate of a person’s metabolism, from the increase in body heat.

7. Its most widely used purpose is that of a dietary aidewww.fda.org/ephedra

8. Why Do Athletes Use Ephedra? Even though it isn’t proven to enhance performance, many athletes were using and still use ephedra Weight loss; commonly used in combination with aspirin and caffeine as a weight loss stimulant stack (known as the ECA stack) Energy; it’s thermogenic effects are commonly used in substitution for carbohydrates, especially in the bodybuilding industry www.hhs.gov/asl/testify/t030724b.html

9. ~My Story~ I used to be an amateur bodybuilder. The last competition that I did was 8 years ago. During my training programs, I would use dietary supplements such as but not limited to: protein, creatine, glutamine, and thermogenics (including ephedra). Never had I had an issue with any of the supplements that I was taking, and let me say that the competitions that I did were all natural. We were blood tested, urine tested, and polygraphed to ensure the safety of the competitor but also for fairness. One night after a good workout I had laid down on the floor to just relax for a bit. What I felt I still have a hard time describing today…

10. My Story cont… It wasn’t chest tightness, or pain or heaviness. It felt like a flutter, but it didn’t stop. It lasted for around 10 seconds or so. It scared me…a lot. I went to the doctor and they ran a series of tests including: EKG, echocardiogram, and I wore a Holtermonitor for 48 hours. All of the tests came back clean. The only explanation given to me at that point was that from the use of the Ephedra I had developed a hypersensitivity to stimulants, including caffeine. To this day I have to be very careful of my caffeine intake, and yes, I still get the flutters. Is it scary…yes. What can I do about it? Nothing. Do what I am doing. I can tell you one thing though, I will never ever use a stimulant as a dietary supplement again.

11. SUMMARY Ephedra was removed from the market by the FDA in 2004 for one reason: ephedrine alkaloid based products have underlying harmful side effects, that can be deadly. When chemically synthesized they are no longer regulated as supplements, they are regulated as drugs An athlete may be at risk and not even know it if they have any underlying heart conditions. You should always consult a healthcare professional such as your family physician before using any dietary supplements, especially stimulants.

12. REFERENCES: www.wikipedia.org/wiki/ephedra www.fda.org/ephedra; www.fda.org/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/2004 www.hhs.gov/asl/testify/t030724b.html