Ephedra

1. Ephedra

2. One Guy and Three Girls. Amanda Trivett, Hillary Chase, Melissa Magorie, Scott Hoffman

3. What is Ephedra? • Ephedra is a powerful Central Nervous System stimulant found in Ma Huang. • Ephedra comes in two forms, a synthetic form and a botanical form. • It is a B-adrenergic agonist.

4. Ancient History of Ephedra • The Chinese first began using Ephedra over 5,000 years ago. • There are ten different types of Ephedra. • Ephedra plants can be found in nine states in the U.S.

5. History. • The Chinese used Ephedra in many ways: • Natural stimulant • Appetite Suppressant • Asthma medication • Fever reduction • Cold and flu relief • Edema • Help with achy joints and bones

6. Today’s Uses of Ephedra. • Weight loss • Energy • Over the counter cold • and flu medicine • Promote the building of lean body mass

7. Dosage • One optimum ratio of Ephedra to caffeine is 20 mg Ephedra to 200mg caffeine taken three times daily. Ephedra.net • Also can be combined with aspirin to give and Ephedra, caffeine, aspirin combo. • In tea there should be 15 to 30 mg Ephedra to yield a maximum daily dose of 150 mg.

8. Products. Xenoplex Ripped Fuel Diet Fuel

9. How does ephedra work? http://www.forslean.com/Ephedrine.htm

10. How it works. • Causes vasoconstriction of blood vessels in the lining of the nose allowing you to breathe easier. • Opens up adrenergic receptors in the heart and lungs. • Causes the release of fatty acids from stored fat cells which aids in weight loss.

11. How it works • Triggers the release of nor epinephrine in the brain which exerts a stimulating effect on the body. • Causes adrenaline to be dumped into the blood from the adrenal glands. • Causes the body temperature to increase to promote the breakdown of fat cells which can be used as energy.

12. Media Claims • Speeds up metabolism for weight loss • Helps alleviate symptoms of asthma • Works as a nasal decongestant • Fast acting energy • Herbal ecstasy, feeling of euphoria • Enhanced sexual sensations

13. Benefits of Ephedra usage • Weight loss • Asthma, cold and flu relief • Prevents narcolepsy • Prevents hypertension during anesthesia

14. Risks associated with Ephedra • Nervousness • Insomnia • Dizziness • Vomiting • Tremors • Headaches • Urinary retention

15. Risks • Stroke • Irregular heart beat • Hypertension • Skin flushing • DEATH!

16. Who should not take Ephedra • People with: • Diabetes • Heart problems • Hypertension • Those taking MAOI inhibitors • Those with neurological disorders

17. Articles • Baltimore Orioles pitcher, Steve Bechler died during spring training. Bechler collapsed and his body temperature was over 108 degrees. He died the following day due to organ failure and heat stroke. Bechler was taking Xenadrine RFA-1 which contains ephedra. U.S. Moves to Limit Ephedra Risk, USA Today. Diet company sued by Bechler’s widow declares bankruptcy, USA Today.

18. Deaths due to Ephedra • Of 140 reports of ephedra usage, 3 deaths were said to be “definitely or probably related” to Ephedra. webmd • A healthy college student died from narcosis of the heart muscle after six months of taking a daily sports drink containing Ephedra.

19. FDA requirements • The only requirements that the FDA has on dietary supplements is that the supplement bottle must contain a warning label that states that no one should take Ephedra containing products with caffeine or any other herbal stimulant. • This law was in acted in June 1997 • In 1994 the FDA classified Ephedra as a dietary supplement

20. FDA standpoint on Ephedra • The FDA wants to ban Ephedra use and sale for several reasons • 1. Ephedra can be used as a precursor material to make illegal drugs like speed. • 2. Since it is not a substance that is regulated by the FDA it is not a truly safe substance to take. Dietary supplements do not have to be proven safe before being placed on the market.

21. State views on Ephedra • Florida: all products containing Ephedra can only be sold as a prescription drug (this law is still pending). • Nevada, Washington, Arizona: regulate the sale only as a prescription drug. • Ohio, Texas: Sale of Ephedra containing products by licensed pharmacist to persons over eighteen years of age.

22. Ephedra vs. Epinephrine Ephedra is chemically similar to epinephrine. Ephedra works in much the same way as epinephrine. Ephedra causes the body to go into fight or flight mode due to an increase of epinephrine in the brain. Ephedra

23. How do they work? Ephedra is chemically similar to epinephrine. Ephedra works in much the same way as epinephrine. Ephedra causes the body to go into fight or flight mode due to an increase of epinephrine in the brain. They both work by way of a second messenger that triggers adenylate cyclase to activate protein kinase which triggers cAMP to release fatty acids from the adipose tissues.

24. Forskolin, the New Ephedra. • Forskolin is another herb that is similar to Ephedra. It is used to control body weight and also to treat mood disorders. • Forskolin has few of the side effects that Ephedra does and more medicinal benefits.

25. How Forskolin works http://www.forslean.com/Ephedrine.htm

26. The New Ephedra: Forskolin • Forskolin is considered to be more beneficial than Ephedra because of many reasons. • 1. Forskolin doesn’t work by activating the adrenergic receptors • 2. Forskolin is a blood pressure lowering agent, unlike ephedra • 3. Forskolin is used to manage hypertension, it is a vasodilator • 4. It Doesn’t change systolic or diastolic blood pressures • 5. It regulates insulin secretion and helps maintain healthy blood glucose levels. http://www.forslean.com/Ephedrine.htm

27. Refrences • http://www.forslean.com/Ephedrine.htm • www.ephedra.net • www.webmd.com • www.usatoday.com