Ephedra Diet Supplements The Legal Challenges Continue - 1 minute read
Ephedra diet supplements are also known as ma huang. They are a strong stimulant found in popular "herbal phen-fen" weight loss products. Despite it's widespread use in over-the-counter weight loss pills, there is only limited evidence that it promotes weight loss. However, some studies, as well as tens of thousands of satisfied ephedra users, claim they support its use.
What is the status of Ephedra Diet Supplements in the United States? In 2008, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that ephedra diet supplements are banned. The FDA first published a rule on February 11, 2004 which declared dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids present an unreasonable risk of illness or injury. After a long fight with the supplements industry, the FDA was finally able to ban ephedra diet supplements. The FDA acted after it received over 800 reports linking ephedra with dizziness, headaches, chest pain, psychosis, seizures and strokes. Some states banned the stimulant before the FDA acted. They claimed that when ephedra is taken regularly in weight loss supplements, your body stays in an unnaturally high gear and there is risk for heart palpitations and heart attacks.