Ephedra Diet Pills

Ephedra diet pills are herbal supplements used in weight loss treatments. It is also known as Ma Huang, Herbal Ecstasy and Herbal Fen-Phen.

Ingredients:

The active ingredients in ephedra diet pills are Asian plants of the genus Ephedra. The most commonly used species is called Ephedra sinica.

The Good:

1. Ephedra diet pills act as appetite suppressants. They also have thermogenic properties, they accelerate your metabolism so that your body burns fat. It’s been suggested by some studies that ephedra would be suitable to short-term weight loss treatments, as long as the patient takes only low doses of regulated pills.

2. Ephedra has been used in Asian countries — most notably China — for around 5,000 years, playing an important role in traditional medicine.

The Bad:

1. The lack of standardized, clinically tested dosages is an often complaint when it comes to ephedra diet pills. No one knows for sure how much ephedra can be considered "safe" or "too much." Another source of concern is the uncertainty about the amount of ephedra present in the product’s composition. It varies from brand to brand and, once again, there aren’t any standards to support a consumer’s decision.

2. Much has been written on the side effects to using ephedra diet pills. They are said to cause muscle injury, memory loss, insomnia, psychosis, stroke and damages to the patients’ nerves. They might also induce elevation of the blood pressure and acceleration of the heart rate, both possibly leading to heart attacks. Some deaths have been linked to the use of ephedra.

The Bottom Line:

Negative views on ephedra diet pills are not unanimous. Some people argue that the herb itself isn’t dangerous and that its misuse is what actually causes damage to patients. Others claim that there is no evidence that low doses of ephedra could really be harmful.

Keep in mind that regardless of your views on the subject, ephedra may not be legal in your jurisdiction. Also remember that self-medication is never a good idea. Ephedra diet pills, like any other product that interferes in your body’s normal functioning, should only be taken under the close supervision of a doctor. And do not neglect your diet nor your exercises. These are the basic steps you must take if you want to lose weight and be sure that your health won’t be negatively affected in the process.