Ma Huang
Ma Huang (Ephedra) as a Dietary Supplement: "Lose weight fast", "thermogenic fat burner", "rapid weight loss", these are just a few of the guarantees that manufacturer's are using to promote the now widely used and highly controversial dietary supplements containing ma haung (ephedra). Sounds great; a simple way to stimulate weight loss and increase energy, can this really work or are these companies suggesting the impossible? Ma Huang, or ephedra sinica, is an ancient Chinese herb indigenous to temperate climates, in northwestern India, Pakistan, Mongolia and China, usually on sandy seashores. The plant dates back to 5,000 years ago as a medicinal agent for asthma and hay fever, quite possibly making it the world's oldest medicine (Gurley, Gardner, White et al., 1998). In 1923, scientists discovered that the plant has two active ingredients: ephedrine (EPH), and pseudoephedrine (PSE); the central nervous system stimulants. Ephedrine is a sympathomimetic alkaloid agonists that causes cardiac stimulation and vasoconstriction, which may produce short term increases in blood pressure and heart rate, insomnia, vertigo, madras's, and nervousness. Pseudoephedrine, also an agonist, enhances bro
Dietary supplements as well as all herbal supplements currently have no GMP regulations, nor FDA regulations. If taking prescription drugs check with your doctor before taking ephedra. It has an energizing effect hence its usefulness in dieting. nchodialation, relieving symptoms of nasal congestion (Tyler, Brady, & Roberts, 1988). · The maximum safe dosage of ephedra is 100 mg of ephedra alkaloids, or ephedrine, per day. Some evidence also suggest, that caffeine mixed with the methylephedrine alkaloid produces effects similar to those of methamphetamine. · Ephedra should not be used during pregnancy or lactation or by individuals with high blood pressure or those suffering from blood sugar, thyroid, or prostate problems or with glaucoma. From personal experience, I feel that it is very important to set strict regulations on the consistency of the ephedrine content in all the products, however I do not agree with the negativity of the herb's public relations problems that have risen. Ephedra alkaloid content is dependent on the ephedra formulation. Reputable manufacturers of ephedra place warning labels on the products, however in some cases the warnings are absent or ignored (Gurley, Wang, & Gardner, 1998). As with any drug, there will most always be side effects and if abused, those effects can be harmful or even deadly. These include heart attacks, strokes, seizure, psychosis, decreased appetite, hepatitis, kidney stones, insomnia, stomach ulcers, uterine contractions, and 44 deaths have been linked to ephedrine-based products (Josefon, 1996). As well as the new definition, other reforms dealing with supplement labeling issues, claims of nutritional support, and a limitation on the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) role in regulating dietary supplements in regard to product safety (King, 1997). Caffeine itself, when combined with ephedra, will increase the toxicity of the alkaloids, thus the potential for elevated blood pressure and heart palpitations also greatly increases.
Common topics in this essay:
Gardner Hubbard,
College Pharmacy,
Wang Gardner,
Administration's FDA,
Gardner White,
Wang Chen,
United Nebraska,
Deadly Lose,
Brady Roberts,
University Arkansas,
dietary supplements,
gurley gardner,
blood pressure,
ma huang,
ephedra alkaloids,
weight loss,
gardner hubbard 2000,
supplements containing,
containing ephedra,
et al,
dietary supplement,
gurley gardner hubbard,
dietary supplements containing,
blood pressure heart,
increases blood pressure,
|
Acceptance Essays
