Reply
Thu 20 Feb, 2003 08:49 am
How do you feel about this supplement? Do you or have you used it? Should it continue to be marketed and sold as it currently, or restricted, or banned altogether?
I think it needs major investigation. The young Orioles pitcher (Bechler?) and Korey Stringer both had it in their lockers. (They both died.) I don't think it does anything directly -- pop a pill, keel over -- but it interferes with how the body gets rid of heat, and that can be a really dangerous thing for an athlete.
I don't think there's enough data yet on how dangerous, though.
Indeed, not enough data. I can't think of any consumable that doesn't have hazards in high enough dosage, including aspirn and water.
I used Sudafed for years, together with chlor-trimeton, to control sinus headaches. My MD used to yell at me that the Sudafed was raising my blood pressure. So I stopped the Sudafed, and it didn't seem to affect me one way or the other.
I do not believe that ephedra or ma huang should be banned, because I don't believe that the government should interfere with what a person does with his body. I also don't think that you should need prescriptions to get prescription drugs.
Yes, ma huang and ephedra is dangerous, but have you ever looked up the side effects and interactions on the medications that are prescribed to you by doctors? I believe that as adults, we need to become knowledgable about medications, and use them judiciously. When I became an adult, I did not need someone telling me what to do, and that goes double for the government!
Beautiful Phonenix, my feelings exactly.
People should also be aware of their bodies. Ma Huang is just a naturally occuring speed. Far weaker than meth or even dexadrine, but speed none the less. One effect of speed is to increase the heart rate and metabolism. It makes the body give off water and excrements - thus reducing the existing life sustaining fluids.
Sudafed is used to make meth and is very similar to ma huang. However, this stuff is much more dangerous than the manufacturers want to let on - liability, probably!
Hmm, I think some stuff should be banned. Phen-fen and its ilk. I think the question is just whether it is that dangerous.
The product should not be sold OTC. If need be, sell as an Rx.
Do you all know that ephedra is mormon tea. Those guys who stay away from stimulants...... uhhuh. Anyway, I have a great resource which lists vitamins, minerals, supplements and Herbs. It discusses benefits and dangers as well as uses etc.... Ephedra, the plant is one of the relatively non-toxic herbs. But, it does indicate that those with diabetes, high blood pressure and/or heart disease. Also it warms about taking this with certain other drugs. In case anyone cares about the root of it all.
I did not know about mormon tea, as a matter of fact.
Very interesting, is it not?
Men on Viagra, should avoid ephedra.
It elevates your blood pressure and puts
excess pressure on your heart, which has
plenty to do already. It may be OK to
use once a month, maybe if you are dog
tired and need some pep..... but using
this on any kind of regular basis is just
asking for serious trouble. As many other
members have already stated - it is most
certainly NOT good for your body.
It's an old time toxin. Listed with Poison Control Centers.
Ephedrine in its pharmacologic action strongly resembles amphetamines, the illicit drug that is extremely dangerous to health. Here is the quote from the
appropriate Web site
Quote:Ephedrine alkaloids are amphetamine-like compounds used in OTC and prescription drugs with potentially lethal stimulant effects on the central nervous system and heart. The FDA has received more than 800 reports of adverse effects associated with use of products containing ephedrine alkaloid since 1994. These serious adverse effects, include hypertension (elevated blood pressure), palpitations (rapid heart rate), neurophathy (nerve damage), myopathy (muscle injury), psychosis, stroke, memory loss, heart rate irregularities, insomnia, nervousness, tremors, seizures, heart attacks, and death. The agency has proposed to prohibit the marketing of dietary supplements containing 8 milligrams or more of ephedrine alkaloids per serving.
@steissd,
Ephedrine is actually helpful in aiding weight loss and helps with cardiovascular health as well. The problem is, most people don't use it correctly. They usually take more than the recommend daily dosage or they take it with caffeine pills, and possibly medications that counteract with the ephedrine.
@JessicaAlf,
So, are you a cardiologist? A cardiologist giving dodgy medical advice on a site that doesn't, in its terms of service, give medical advice?
Stumble It!
Tweet This
Bookmark on Delicious
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace