This extract stimulates the central nervous system CNS through release of a compound called norepinephrine. Norepinephrine is used to get the body ready for action and activity. This makes it an important part of the fight-or-flight response during times of high stress. Ephedra also raises heart rate and can also cause constriction of blood vessels, leading to high blood pressure.
Caffeine is also a stimulant of both the CNS and the cardiovascular system. Caffeine consumption can increase feelings of alertness, effectively reducing fatigue.
Aspirin is a pain reliever. When taken as part of an ECA stack, aspirin prevents norepinephrine levels from decreasing. In other words, its helps maintain the stimulation effects that the caffeine and ephedrine help provide. Long-term use of aspirin, even in small doses, has been associated with an increased risk of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. A review of 20 trials found ephedrine to be effective as a tool for weight loss.
Although ephedrine was effective when used alone, ephedrine or Ephedra-containing supplements were slightly more effective when combined with caffeine. Participants taking this combination lost approximately two more pounds per month. Although some studies have shown a modest short-term one to two hours effect on athletic performance, more research is needed to determine the long-term effects.
A review of 52 controlled clinical trials on ephedrine usage found no record of serious adverse effects, such as:. This led the U. Food and Drug Administration to ban the sale of Ephedra-containing dietary supplements in However, ephedrine itself is still legal in the United States.
Ephedrine sales are highly regulated, requiring the buyer to present a valid photo ID and sign for the purchase. Since the ban on Ephedra-containing products, many Ephedra-free supplements have appeared on the market. Many manufacturers substitute other botanicals, such as bitter orange, in place of Ephedra. Ephedrine-free supplements often incorporate more than one source of caffeine. Each member of our research team is required to have no conflicts of interest, including with supplement manufacturers, food companies, and industry funders.
The team includes nutrition researchers, registered dietitians, physicians, and pharmacists. We have a strict editorial process. This page features 99 references. All factual claims are followed by specifically-applicable references. Click here to see the full set of references for this page. While dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids have been used with an acceptable margin of safety and efficacy by many individuals, they can be downright dangerous for those with certain underlying medical conditions.
A number of case reports have implicated ephedrine alkaloids as the cause of serious adverse health effects in isolated individuals- including but not limited to heart attack, stroke, seizures, and even death.
Ephedrine ih-fed-rin is one of the four active components of the herb Ephedra. It is able to induce fat loss via increasing the amount of fat available for fuel as well as by increasing heat expenditure. Ephedrine also interacts with muscle cells, increasing heat expenditure in them as well as fat cells. It can also prevent the breakdown of muscle tissue to a small degree. Ephedrine is highly synergistic with caffeine , and for this reason is commonly found in something called an ECA stack Ephedrine, Caffeine , and Aspirin.
Side effects include an increase in blood pressure that goes away with cessation and increases in some blood parameters glucose , insulin that also go away with cessation of use. It has been reported to be a hyperstimulant when taken in doses above what is recommended. Ephedrine is well studied and a fairly reliable compound for short- to medium-term weight loss less than 6 months and mild performance improvements, usually in trained individuals.
However, it does not work under all situations; longer-term weight loss and effects in untrained individuals have not been studied much and sometimes produce negative results. While it has been implicated in weight reduction independent of exercise and diet changes, efficacy is maximized with minimal side-effects when ephedrine is combined with diet and exercise. In an ECA stack , ephedrine is dosed at mg for three doses taken throughout the day. Human studies have found success with ephedrine in isolation on fat metabolism with doses of mg thrice a day.
The higher range mg may be too stimulatory for some, and can induce headaches or light hand tremors. Ephedrine tends to be consumed with xanthine compounds like caffeine and sometimes with Aspirin. The combination of Ephedrine and caffeine is shown repeatedly to be highly synergistic.
Become an Examine Member to get access to the latest research. Understand the whole body of nutrition and supplement evidence at a glance. The Human Effect Matrix summarizes human studies to tell you what effects Ephedrine has on your body, how much evidence there is, and how strong these effects are.
Confounded with the inclusion of caffeine [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]. Confounded with both aspirin and caffeine the ECA stack [10]. To unlock the full archives of our Study Database and research analyses, become an Examine Member today. Methylxanthines such as caffeine and theophylline a component of green tea.
Ephedrine can also increase dopamine levels in the brain, and caution should be taken pairing ephedrine with MAOIs such as yohimbine. Ephedrine should only be used under the supervision of a Medical Doctor, especially if pre-existing cardiac complications exist, due to potentially serious adverse effects. The legal status of ephedrine varies by country and is a banned substance by certain sports agencies.
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Our independent, unbiased approach reveals what works and what's a waste of time and money. Like most supplements you can overdose on ephedrine when taken in too large of doses. The doses mentioned above will lead to the greatest fat loss potential, with any doses above 50 mgs three times a day will only increase the risk factors that could possibly arise.
This unfortunately is one of the main reasons why the FDA had to regulate ephedrine and limit its use, as individuals who were unaware of how to properly supplement with it assumed taking more would lead to more fat loss, but instead only lead to severe negative health complications.
Unfortunately if you are living in the US, UK, EU, and most other countries it is very difficult to obtain ephedrine due to the ban and its often abuse to be made into illegal methamphetamines has given it a bad rap. Some countries though, most notably Canada can still sell ephedrine legally as a dietary supplement in stores. In the US many groups and organizations have tried but have been unsuccessful to bring back this great fat burner to its former legality but so far have failed.
Hopefully, sometime in the future the FDA will reverse its stance and once again allow bodybuilders, professional athletes and everyday individuals to take advantage of this supplement safely and effectively! Our articles should be used for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be taken as medical advice.
She has a specialist interest in the use of sports supplements for improving health, fitness, and sport performance. Alice has experience working with both amateur and elite athletes, including providing nutritional support to Tranmere Rovers FC and Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club.
In her spare time, Alice loves travelling, hitting the gym, and getting stuck into a good book. Find out more about Alice's story here.
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