Misuse of Ephedra Grabs Media
Attention
What is new and negative in the media? The tragic death of
an overweight major league baseball player has implicated ephedra-containing products
once again as a hazard to public health. Is it the product or the public who poses
the hazard?
Nature's Sunshine Products has safely sold millions of doses of ephedra (12,283,853
doses) in the past year with very few side effects (128 reported) and certainly
no deaths or serious health complications. How can NSP sell products with a good
safety record while the FDA is reprimanding other companies in the form of warning
letters?
The answer: safe and effective use of natural products. It is our belief that
ephedra herb should not be combined with caffeine. In almost every case where
ephedra has been associated with more serious adverse reactions, it was combined
with caffeine.very large doses of caffeine. Consumers often exceed label recommendations
and misuse the products (they are designed for respiratory support or as a weight
management aid). Misuse of ephedra, poor formulating, and poorly labeled products
may end up costing U.S. consumers their right to use this naturally occurring
herb that has been used in China for 5,000 years. If you look at the sales of
NSP products, the two largest selling ephedra products are split evenly between
weight management and respiratory support (MetaboMax® and Sinus Support®).
This indicates that not only do NSP distributors know how to use ephedra products,
but they also know how to use them safely and effectively.
Ephedra should be used according to label recommendations. Ephedra should be used
for respiratory support and for weight management. Children under the age of 18
years of age should not use ephedra-containing products.
The dose of ephedrine alkaloids (the active ingredient in ephedra products) in
healthy adults should not exceed 100 mg in 24 hours. People with any type of health
condition should not take ephedra. Pregnant or lactating women should not use
ephedra products. Ephedra should not be taken concomitantly with any other medications.Based
on the pharmacology of ephedrine, ephedra should not be used in combination with
caffeine, pseudoephedrine, synephrine, or octopamine. These other natural ingredients
can have a synergistic effect with ephedra. Ephedra should not be used for weight
training or any other activity where enhanced physical endurance is sought.
In summary, ephedra has been safely used by millions of people since the inception
of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act in 1994. While tragic events
related to ephedra continue to be portrayed in the media, they should not tarnish
its reputation as a safe, effective weight-loss and respiratory system supplement
when properly used.
by Nature's Sunshine Health Sciences Division
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