Ephedra – Ephedrine
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EPHEDRA
Ephedrine was available to buy in Germany in 1896 and in the U.S. in 1926. The ephedrine containing herb ephedra or Ma Huang has been used in Chinese medicine for 5,200 years. Juice made from Ma Huang called soma was used as a longevity drink in the old history of China, and is mentioned in the early religious writings of the Hindus in a collection called the Rigveda.
Researchers say that the ideal diet pill should increase fat loss while also maintaining as much muscle as possible. That is exactly what the combination of ephedra and caffeine does. One study that I found dieting women given ephedra and caffeine lost twice as much fat and three-quarters less muscle compared to those given a fake pill. In a study comparing ephedra and caffeine to dexfenfluramine or redux, which is another weight loss supplement, a subgroup of patients who were 40% or more overweight was analyzed, it was found that those who took ephedra and caffeine lost 29% more weight than those who took dexfenfluramine.
Ephedra and caffeine causes weight loss by decreasing appetite which is 70-80% of the total weight loss and increasing thermogenesis which is when the core body temp. rises I believe. Long term use of ephedrine increases its effect on thermogenesis and decreases side effects. Ephedra and caffeine also corrects the slower metabolism and slower diet-induced thermogenesis found in people who are overweight; this is because they dont eat enough to keep up their metabolism.
It has also been proved that ephedrine not only spares muscle during weight loss, but also maintains levels of protective HDL cholesterol that normally fall during weight loss. Another study I found showed that ephedra and caffeine increased HDL levels by 9% compared to a decrease of 5% in those taking a fake pill. This means that ephedra and caffeine may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. The last and one of the most important things is that ephedrine has been found to stop the conversion of carbs to fat.
When people first start to take ephedra and caffeine they will experience typical minor side effects. These effects depend on the amount taken and go almost completely away with time. After about two months of use it usually subsides to the point where you notice nothing. The most common side effects include nervousness, agitation, hand tremor, and insomnia. Most people believe that