Ephedra-Based Diets

Ephedra is an herb found in East and Southeast Asia, particularly China. It is also popular as Ma Huang. Primarily this herb contains ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and other chemical compounds that are known to possess thermogenic (heat generating) properties. This herb has been used in traditional Chinese medicine as an effective cure for asthma and congestion in the upper respiratory tract. The heat generating properties of ephedra makes it especially conducive to fat burning. The drug ephedrine is also known to have severe side effects. Hence, ephedra has found a debatable space in diet regimes for weight loss and muscle building.

What are Ephedra-based Diets?

• Diet plans that incorporate the use of ephedra-based pills and ephedra herbal extracts constitute ephedra-based diets. They are usually targeted to achieve weight loss, relief from illnesses, muscle building and maintenance. They are also helpful in stimulating high performance in sports. Ephedra diet pills are available with brand names like MeTrim, MetaboLite, Herbal Fen-Phen, Natural Trim and Lipodrene. Often, ephedra teas or herbal extracts are used in conjunction with added stimulants like caffeine to be more effective.

Who Uses Ephedra-based Diets?

• People suffering from asthma and nasal congestion, athletes, sportspersons, bodybuilders and people keen on losing weight are those who use ephedra based diets.

How Does an Ephedra-based Diet Work as a Cure in Respiratory Conditions?

• Ephedra has effects similar to that of the hormone adrenaline. When consumed, ephedra causes a hormone -- noradrenaline to be released in the body, causing a series of responses in the body. It can expand or dilate lung tissues and also contract the nasal lining. This, in turn, helps to alleviate asthmatic distress and nasal congestion. In fact, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine present in ephedra, are compounds present in over-the-counter drugs for asthma and congestion.

How Does an Ephedra-based Diet Work in Weight Loss?

• Ephedra directly affects the central nervous system, causing special nerve receptors to open up in the lung and heart regions. These receptors are sites which are sensitive to the release of noradrenaline, a hormone released by ephedra consumption. These receptors immediately work toward generating heat and stimulating cardiac activity, thereby increasing calorie burning. This process also suppresses appetite. A person on ephedra pills for weight loss experiences fat-burning and appetite-reduction effects, causing him to eat less while also losing stored fat.

How Does an Ephedra-based Diet Work for Athletes and Bodybuilders?

• Ephedra-based pills stimulate cardiac activity and increase the metabolic rate causing lipolysis (fat break down) and protein synthesis (building up of proteins) in muscular tissues. Hence; it is a performance-enhancing drug that causes instant release of energy within the body due to the burning of stored fat. However, athletes and sportspersons must avoid it in competitive sports, as ephedrine or ephedra is a banned performance-enhancing substance.

Harmful Effects of Ephedra-based Diets

• Ephedra has the ability to directly target the central nervous system. It increases heart rate and can cause serious side effects such as irregular heartbeats, heart attacks, seizures, tremors, weakness, dizziness, nervousness, high blood pressure and headaches. Ephedra-based diet pills are banned in the U.S.A., as there are potentially fatal side effects if the drug is abused. Weight watchers are now advised to seek ephedra-free supplements to ensure safer weight loss.