Stimerex-Es Side Effects

Simerex-Es is an all-natural weight loss supplement. It is marketed as "the ultimate fat burner" because of how the mixture of ingredients reacts within the body. Although this pharmaceutical-grade supplement is available without a prescription, caution should always be taken when using any medications or supplements. Stimerex-Es contains several ingredients, including the controversial ephedra, which may cause unwanted side effects, some of which can be severe.

Active Ingredients

• Stimerex-Es is a proprietary blend of herbs. The active ingredients include 25 mg ephedra extract, which is a stimulant containing an herbal form of ephedrine. Although it is a natural product, it has properties similar to amphetamine. which is why side effects are a concern; 75 mg acacia rigidula extract, which contains chemical compounds similar to amphetamines and therefore acts as a stimulant; theobroma cocoa extract, which is a chocolate powder known as the "food of the gods" for its mood-changing ability and stimulant features; phenylethylamine HCL, which is known to increase dopamine levels in the brain, therefore bringing feelings of pleasure while also controlling appetite; and 25 mg of citrus aurantium, commonly known as bitter orange, a compound that has been used for hundreds of years in Chinese medicine and that many believe suppresses the appetite and increases the metabolism.
  Other ingredients include green tea extract, which can increase metabolism and therefore aid in weight loss; yohimbe extract, which is medically used to treat male impotence and other sexual dysfunctions, but also produces the wanted side effect of reduced appetite; naringin extract, which is naturally found in grapefruit. Although it is beneficial for its high antioxidant level, in this supplement it is added for its synergistic (meaning it enhances) effect with caffeine; 6,7 dihydroxybergamottin, which is also derived from grapefruit and can act as an amplifier for the other substances; and 150 mg caffeine, which is a stimulant and serves to increase metabolism.

Function

• Manufacturers of Stimerex-ES believe that the supplement functions in three ways: as a fat burner, craving controller and appetite suppressant. The ingredients react in the body creating thermogenesis, which is the ability of the body to produce heat. When the body temperature is increased, more calories, and therefore more fat, is burned.
  The manufacturers also claim that it targets fat in difficult areas including the hips, thighs and buttocks by attaching to alpha-2 receptors which they claim are more abundant in these areas. Alpha-2 receptors have a high affinity for epinephrine, but there is no research to confirm that the number of receptors is higher in the indicated areas.

Side Effects of Ephedra

• Ephedra has been a topic of debate for many years. In 2003 Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Belcher died during practice after taking supplements containing ephedra; the autopsy confirmed that "ephedra toxicity played a significant role in his death." In 2004 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the sale of any supplements containing ephedra due the many adverse side effects that had been reported. However the ruling was challenged and overturned in 2005 when a judge said that the FDA did not provide significant evidence to satisfy the burden of proof. To this day there are still thousands of reports of adverse side effects reported to both poison control centers and the FDA.
  Ephedra use can produce the non-life-threatening side effects of nausea, vomiting, anxiety, increased blood pressure, tremors and palpitations. Ephedra is also associated with heart attacks, stroke, seizures and death.

Side Effects of Other Ingredients

• Besides the wanted side effect of reduced appitite, yohimbe extract is known to cause skin flushing, pain when urinating, genital pain, agitation, dizziness, headache, irritability, nervousness, tremors and insomnia. The FDA has also received reports that link yohimbe to serious side effects including renal (kidney) failure, seizures and death.
  Citrus aurantium can cause the body temperature to increase and may cause an increased risk of heart irregularities and high blood pressure.
  Caffeine is known to increase the heart rate and respiratory rate.
  Although naringin itself does not produce any side effects, naringin can affect the metabolism of the other ingredients, allowing them to remain in the body longer and therefore increasing their levels and their ability to illicit unwanted side effects.
  Theobroma cocoa extract is also not known to produce side effects alone, but it should not be taken by individuals who are also taking an MAO inhibitor, which is a class of medications to treat depression.

Warning

• Although Stimerex-Ex is marketed as an all-natural herbal weight loss supplement, take caution and always consult a doctor before adding any new supplements or medications to your routine. This supplement contains ingredients that have many side effects, some severe, and when mixed together or when taken with prescription drugs can produce unwanted and unknown conditions.