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Are Herbal Weight Loss Products Safe?

As a prevention specialist, Dr. Borio helps patients discover all-natural solutions to health challenges. This unique approach includes teaching patients about spinal health - as well as diet regimens, exercise programs, stress reduction strategies and other holistic alternatives to medication and surgery.

At times, Dr. Borio advises patients to take nutritional supplements, including herbs. While the herbal recommendations chiropractors make are safe and effective, it is important to remember that not all herbal formulas are harmless.

An "all natural" label doesn't mean a product isn't toxic. Some herbal remedies are just as dangerous as synthetic drugs. For instance, chiropractors, like Dr. Borio, have become increasingly concerned about the latest herbal craze: weightloss formulas. Manufacturers who spend thousands - sometimes even millions - on glossy photo layouts and stylish infomercials, heavily market these popular products.

Don't be fooled by the marketing hype. If you, or someone you care about, is considering trying an herbal diet supplement, it's vital that you read the following information first.

What Is Ephedrine?

Ephedrine (Ephedra sinica) has been used for centuries as a healing herb. Because of its stimulant properties, ephedrine may also be classified as a drug.

Ephedrine is the active ingredient in the Chinese asthma remedy ma huang. If used properly under a health-care professional's guidance, ma huang may safely and effectively relieve asthma episodes.

In recent years, however, the herb has gained notoriety as a weight-loss agent, memory enhancer and libido booster. Related products frequently contain large amounts of ephedrine, or combine the herb with other stimulants. The result? Serious side effects, including death.

Ephedrine AKAs

Ephedrine masquerades under many labels, such as ephedra, herbal Fen! Phen, Energel, Escalation, ma huang and sinica. It's even been packaged as "herbal ecstasy," a knock-off of the illegal "club drug." If you're unsure whether or not a product contains ephedrine, call the manufacturer or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at 1-301-5324440. You can also ask your chiropractor to check for you.

Adverse Effects of EphedrineContaining Products

Ephedrine-containing products, especially those that combine multiple stimulants, threaten the health of dieters who pop these popular pills.

Between 1994 and 1997, the FDA investigated 17 deaths and more than 800 reports of adverse events associated with ephedrine-containing supplements.

According to the FDA, "reported adverse events range from episodes of high blood pressure, irregularities in heart rate, insomnia, nervousness, tremors and headaches - to seizures, heart attacks, strokes and death. Most events occurred in young to middle-aged, otherwise healthy adults using the products for weight control and increased energy."

These reports prompted the FDA to issue a statement calling for a restriction of the amount of
ephedrine contained in diet products and adequate warning labels. However, these warnings have gone largely unheeded.

"Consumers should be aware that just because a product is labeled 'natural,' or from an herbal source, it is not guaranteed to be safe," said Deputy Connnissioner of Food and Drugs, Dr. Michael Friedman. "The effects of ephedrine alkaloids are potentially powerful ones. We urge people to talk to their doctors before using dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids and to always use them with caution."

Shedding A Few Pounds Isn't Worth Addiction

Like many stimulant drugs, ephedrine is highly addictive. Most individuals who take ephedrine wouldn't take cocaine or "uppers" to loose weight. But the addictionassociated risks of ephedrinecontaining diet aids may be just as hazardous.

Overdose Issues

Perhaps the most frightening hazard of ephedrine is how easy it is to accidentally overdose.

"With some of these nutritional supplements, it is very easy for a consumer to unknowingly exceed [dose] recommendations," cautions Bill J. Gurley, Ph.D., associate professor and chairman of the Department of Pharmaceutics at the University of Arkansas. Dr. Gurley presented a groundbreaking study on ephedrine-containing products at the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists' annual meeting in November of 1997.

"The problem is that the amount of ephedrine in the nutritional supplements studied varied not only from brand to brand, but - in at least one product - it varied more than 130 percent from one lot to the next," Dr. Gurley noted. "With herbal medicines, people tend to think that since they are using a natural substance, taking more than the recommended dosage will still be safe. But the amount of ephedrine varies from brand to brand, so a consumer who switches to a higherdose brand but takes the same number of tablets will receive a very high dose as a result. If used in combination with other stimulants, the effects of the ephedrine are magnified."

Some People Should Never Take Ephedrine

Most experts agree that no one should use ephedrine for weight loss. However, some individuals are at an especially-elevated risk, including pregnant or nursing mothers and children. People with high blood pressure, heart disease, thyroid problems, diabetes, kidney conditions or prostate enlargement should also steer clear of the herb.

Avoid ephedrine if you have a history of addiction, or are taking any drug (illegal, prescription or over-the-counter). And, never combine ephedrine with any other stimulant, including caffeine.

How Much Is Too Much Ephedrine?

For healthy individuals, it is recommended that no more than 8 milligrams of ephedrine be consumed at one time and no more than 25 milligrams should be taken within 24 hours. Ephedrine should never be taken for longer than two weeks.

Despite these guidelines, it is best to avoid the herb altogether to ensure safety.

No Long-term Solution

It's healthy to want your body to be fit. Taking ephedrine supplements, however, isn't a healthy way to achieve that goal.

And here's another reason to avoid ephedrine products: They don't provide long-term results (despite what sexy marketing campaigns claim). Although stimulants, such as ephedrine, may trigger short-term weight loss, the pounds will reappear as soon as you stop taking them.

There are no "magic pills" that will transform your body. So, rather than gambling with your health to shed a few pounds, why not connnit to a permanent weight-loss solution?

We're Here To Help You

This office is committed to empowering patients to overcome their health challenges and focus on long-term vitality. We do this by teaching patients about the innate ability of the human body to achieve optimal health.

We invite you to take charge of your health. Start today by giving up trendy (and possibly hazardous) diet gimmicks and scheduling a chiropractic checkup - the perfect first step to discovering how to get, and stay, vibrantly healthy for good.

Herbal Resources

To learn more about the benefits and dangers of herbal medicine, check out the following resources.

Tyler's Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic Use of Phytomendicinals by James E. Robbers and Varro E. Tyler (Haworth Press).
Prescription for Nutritional Healing by James and Phyllis Balch
(Avery Books).
The American Herbal Pharmacopoeia: www.herbal-ahp.org
Botanical com: www.botanicaLcom
HerbMed: www.herbmed.org

Our purpose is to educate and adjust families toward optimal health