Although Ephedrine alkaloids have been used in the treatment of respiratory diseases such as asthma, the use of Ephedra in dietary supplements is becoming a serious health risk. Dietary supplements are one of the largest areas in drugs and pills that Ephedra is found in.
Originally, the FDA could not regulate the production and distribution of Ephedra because it is a dietary supplement protected under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHE). According to the FDA, under this Act, the manufacturer of the dietary supplement is responsible for ensuring that it is safe before it is marketed to the public.
The FDA is responsible for taking action against any unsafe dietary supplement product after it reaches the market. As such, most manufacturers are not required to register their products with the FDA, nor must they get FDA approval, before producing or selling dietary supplements.
The burden of proof lies on the shoulders of the manufacturers, and they are required to make sure that product label information is truthful and not misleading.
Despite the limitations the DSHE Act imposed upon the FDA to act as an agent of change, the FDA issued numerous warnings beginning in the early 1990's detailing the health risks to consumers of products containing Ephedra.
Since the FDA was not able to regulate ephedra effectively until after millions of Americans had already consumed the stimulant, many consumers are unaware that suppliers of products containing the drug were able to make health and weight loss claims about these substances without a scientific basis. The use of this product and the intential neglect to avoid disclosing the serious side effects from this drug has been a serious issue affecting those taking the supplement.
In 1994, the FDA began receiving many reports regarding the side effects of products containing Ephedra. Although Ephedra is used in less than 1 percent of diet pills it is among the largest in sales, receiving 64 percent of all sales.
More than 800 reports were submitted about serious side effects from Ephedra use during a nine year period. These included but are not limited to:
* High blood pressure.
* Heart rate irregularities.
* Insomnia, nervousness.
* Tremors.
* Seizures.
* Heart attacks.
* Strokes.
* Brain hemorrhages.
* Death.
Ephedra's effects are similar to that of adrenaline and it affects the central nervous system. Ephedra acts as a stimulant and it can cause rapid or irregular heartbeats, chest pain, psychosis and tremors.
Ephedra dilates the bronchial muscles, contracts nasal mucosa, raises blood pressure, and is a cardiac stimulant. Complications from these adverse effects can result in strokes or heart irregularities that can cause cardiac arrest or death. Recent research is now connecting primary pulmonary hypertention to the use of Ephedra.
Reports of these adverse side effects have increased in recent years and include the deaths of a few high profile athletes.
However, the side effects of Ephedra are serious and can be deadly. As such it has become critical to monitor its production, distribution and use. Perhaps this is why, in 2003 the states of California, Illinois and New York individually took action and banned the use of ephedra products. This in turn encouraged the Federal Government to move more quickly towards a blanket ban on the stimulant. The FDA and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) began discussing the ban of Ephedra in late 2003.
The DHHS stated that Ephedra can be linked to numerous health dangers and the FDA then urged consumers to immediately stop consuming products containing the drug. Other products still on the shelves have been encouraged to be recalled by the FDA.
Effective April 12, 2004, the FDA banned the sale of all Ephedrine over the counter dietary supplements, having concluded,"the totality of the available data showed little evidence of Ephedra's effectiveness except for modest, short-term weight loss without any clear health benefit, while confirming that the substance raises blood pressure and otherwise stresses the circulatory system. These effects are linked to significant adverse health outcomes, including heart attack and stroke."
It is now against the law to purchae or sell all dietary products containing Ephedra. The FDA notified 62 companies that market products containing Ephedra of the ban. Prior to the FDA ban one of the most popular supplements containing Ephedra was Metabolife356, which was manufactured by Metabolife International, Inc.
As we all know the health risks from obesity are numerous. It always seems as if the latest study contradicts earlier ones and it's hard to know what to believe. But, over the last few decades, a wide array of independent studies has tended to confirm some conclusions about the relationship between excess body fat and associated health risks.
What most seem to agree on is that anyone who is considerably overweight is at higher risk for a number of potential health problems. These include various forms of heart condition, high blood pressure, diabetes, colon cancer, liver damage, gallstones and others. As you can see the health risks from obesity are many and very serious.
How can you tell if your obese or seriously overweight?
There's no ideal weight for any given individual, though there are various factors that provide a healthy range. One measurement that is a good starting point is BMI (Body Mass Index). To calculate it, just divide your weight (in kg) by your height (in m) squared. The following table is a rough classification:
Under 18.5 = Underweight Between 18.5 and 24.99 = Normal Weight Between 25 and 29.99 = Overweight Between 30 and 34.99 = Obese (Class 1) Between 35 and 39.99 = Obese (Class 2) 40 and above = Extreme Obesity
If you are on the lower end of the BMI scale, health risks are no more (or at most only moderately higher) than for anyone. Genetic and other environmental factors will outweigh any body fat or weight issues. But for those nearer the higher range, there is strong evidence that health risks are higher.
Other health risks from obesity include, abdominal obesity (having large fat deposits around the stomach and abdomen) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and insulin resistance syndrome. For women, a waist circumference of 35 inches or more (40+ in men) is an indicator of abdominal obesity. Among other conditions, high blood pressure, high triglycerides and high cholesterol are all common factors associated with that condition.
There is also narrowing of the arteries, or atherosclerosis, which contributes to the possibility of a clot which can cause a stroke. Excessive body fat is one factor in producing that condition. At the same time, it plays a part in increased blood pressure (hypertension).
If you have rapid weight gain, from 10-20 lbs for the average person, this will increase the odds of developing Type 2 diabetes. Genetic factors are fundamental, but weight gain plays a role, according to most studies. The risk is double that of an individual who has not had a weight gain, when other factors are held constant.
Another health risk is Liver disease, apart from that associated with excessive alcohol consumption, can be caused by insulin resistance. That resistance is much more likely among those who are obese. There are many studies which have correlated BMI with the degree of liver damage. The higher the BMI, the greater the odds of liver trouble.
Then there are gallstones which are more likely to form in those who are obese, and may be correlated with a rapid rise in BMI. Sleep apnea (interruption of breathing during sleep) is another condition commonly linked to obesity.
To conclude, though no single study is definitive, and there are many genetic and other environmental elements, excessive body fat is a substantial factor in health issues. Being overweight and the health risks from obesity is not merely an issue of acceptable appearance, it's a health risk.
Both Peter Kent & Rusty Mcglasson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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