Ephedrine for weight loss according to science - we explain in detail

Ephedrine for weight loss[edit | edit code]

Ephedrine drug
Ephedrine

(English Ephedrine) is a drug with a stimulating effect, a sympathomimetic, used in bodybuilding to suppress appetite and burn fat. In medicine it is used to treat bronchial asthma, hypotension and some other diseases.

Ephedrine is similar in structure and action to CNS stimulants such as amphetamines and methamphetamines. Chemically, ephedrine is an alkaloid found in various plants of the Ephedra genus (family Ephedraceae). The most common forms are ephedrine hydrochloride and ephedrine sulfate.

Legal status[edit | edit code]

Ephedrine is banned.

The legal status of ephedrine is regulated by the government decree on narcotic drugs.[1].

Be careful! Many popular ECA-based fat burners (cloma pharma, innovative labs and others) claim ephedra as their main substance, the most important component. The sale, production, transportation and storage of ephedrine preparations entails real criminal liability.

By law, ephedrine is included in two restrictive lists:

1) To the list of completely prohibited substances. “Handmade preparations from ephedrine (pseudoephedrine) or from preparations containing ephedrine (pseudoephedrine)” Any homemade preparation from ephedrine (no matter solo or complex) is equated to drugs and entails criminal liability as for full-fledged narcotic substances. [2] 2) To the list of substances significantly limited in public circulation.[3]

Ephedrine can only be produced legally (with all certificates and a license) under the guise of a medicine (almost the only example is broncholithin) and with a mandatory ephedrine concentration of up to 10%. Ephedrine with a concentration of more than 10% is prohibited from any participation in civil circulation, even if it does not fall under the definition of “handicraft production”.

Responsibility

A realistic deadline is possible for the seller and manufacturer. Criminal liability of the seller occurs upon discovery of a large volume (under Article 228.3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). Art. is relevant for the manufacturer. 228.4 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. When assigning punishment, attention must be paid to the detected volumes. If you have discovered a large volume and there are interested parties, then your situation can be classified as very “severe”. In case of handicraft production, a large volume is considered to be from 10g, especially large - from 500g. For illegal trafficking of ephedrine with a concentration of up to 10%: large - 25g, especially large - 5000g. [4] Exceptions: a) legal sale with all certificates and documents of ephedrine with a concentration of up to 10% (almost the only drug is broncholithin). The consumer faces administrative liability, with the exception of the purchase of ephedrine in large quantities (from 25g).

How much ephedrine is in a jar? What does large volume look like in practice?

The active dosage is 50-100 mg. Cans usually contain 60 capsules (servings). Accordingly, 1 can of real ECA fat burner contains approximately 3-6g of ephedrine. Accordingly, the presence of 5-8 jars of a real ECA fat burner with a dose of ephedrine of 50-100 mg will qualify as a large volume.

Additional expert comments:

Ephedrine, from a legal point of view, is a rather dangerous additive and can entail real criminal liability for a participant in civil trafficking. The Criminal Code of the Russian Federation provides for punishment up to life imprisonment. If there is an interested party, the likelihood of being held liable increases significantly.

Among sports nutrition sellers, the myth about the legality of supplements with a concentration of up to 10% has become actively spread. The source of this myth is unscrupulous manufacturers and importers. The myth is actively promoted in major magazines. There is a high percentage of homemade ECA fat burners on the Russian market, disguised as Western production.

There is a dubious theory regarding the ephedrine content in ECA fat burners. According to one version: instead of ephedrine, manufacturers include ephedra extract in the composition. If this is so, then 2 conclusions arise: a) Manufacturers are deceiving buyers, because... popular fat burners (cloma pharm and others with ECA) clearly contain a powerful stimulant (for example, instead of the desired ephedrine there may be an unspecified component, legal in the Russian Federation DMAA, AMP citrate or something else) b) If popular fat burners contain ephedra extract, then it will still contain ephedrine. The dosages to obtain the desired effect from ephedrine will be low, but to incur legal liability they will be quite sufficient.

The production, purchase and sale of ephedrine is a rather questionable activity with increased legal risk. You should pay attention to a relatively legal and no less effective analogue with similar effects - dmaa (geranium)

.

Author:

Shumanev Dmitry

Ephedra-based fat burners in 2020.

The article is for informational purposes only

It's 2020 and something interesting is happening in several popular online stores: the ephedra- based Lipodrin which occupies a leading position among best sellers - after more than ten years of using ephedra , has been banned by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) .

What is the reason? Why is ephedra still available when many sites say it is banned? And why is this product so popular?

Is someone breaking the law or is this another side of using ephedra?

We decided to do some research, but after looking at many sites related to ephedra, it turned out that all the articles about it had old data and claimed that ephedra was completely legal for use. It turns out that all the articles were wrong, which is why today on the site we are going to explain to you how things really are.

What is surprising is that ephedra is still legally sold as a supplement, but not the ephedrine alkaloid. So the high-tech pharmaceutical industry extracts illicit alkaloids from the Ma Huang plant and legally sells ephedrine fat burner supplement .

The following questions remain unanswered:

Is ephedra effective without ephedrine?

What ingredients can replace ephedrine?

Is this ephedra safe now? (Yes, there are no serious consequences)

Which type of ephedra is best for burning fat then?

Ephedra Data

The plant Ephedra sinica , also known as Ma Huang , has long been used in Chinese medicine and may have been used in India 3,500 years ago.

The four types of potent alkaloids in ephedra are:

• ephedrine;
• pseudoephedrine;
• norephedrine;
• methylephedrine.

The most famous is ephedrine , as it has a high fat burning effect .

The problem is that, like it or not, ephedrine has been banned for use as a supplement since 2004 (the law was only approved in 2006), so this article will tell you what is left in ephedra without the alkaloid ephedrine.

In fact, its compounds are relatively safe when used correctly, but the product was nevertheless criticized and the FDA decided that there was an " unreasonable risk " due to several cases of flagrant abuse of the product and disgraceful practices of several companies.

This argument is irrelevant - ephedrine cannot be part of a supplement, that's all - so let's move on to where ephedra supplements are used today.

Is it legal to use ephedra? The situation with ephedra in 2016.

The first thing to understand is that the law does not indicate that ephedra is an illegal additive, only the use of the ephedrine alkaloid . This causes a lot of confusion (perhaps intentionally), which you can see in the FDA's :

“We use the term “ ephedrine alkaloid dietary supplements ” to refer to dietary supplements containing botanical sources of the ephedrine alkaloid. We use the term " ephedrine " to refer to the source of the alkaloid ephedrine, which is derived from the genus Ephedra or other botanical..."

-FDA Final Decision on Ephedrine Alkaloids.

However, the truth about the ban is found a little lower in the document:

The final decision states that dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids are adulterated under section 402(F)(1)(A).

So, if you take illegal alkaloids (specifically ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, norephedrine, methylephedrine, norpseudoephedrine, and methylpseudoephedrine) from the Ma Huang , you can still use them legally in supplements.

But, how to restore the benefits of ephedrine and is it safe now?

So what is in ephedra now, after the ban on the use of ephedrine?

While illicit alkaloids played a major role in weight loss, it turns out they weren't the only players. It turns out that this plant is full of interesting and useful compounds. You will see that ephedra contains rare and beneficial components.

In addition, it is worth noting that ephedrine alkaloids occupy only 0.5% - 2.5% of the plant; in addition to them, the plant is full of other useful things.

A better way to quickly describe the product would be “ Advanced Form of Green Tea Extract ,” but sales are unlikely to last long.

Some of the most important elements that you may be interested in using are:

1. Epicatechin, polyphenols and catechins.

We may not have known much about them in the 90s and 2000s, but now, there is a lot of research being done on epicatechin . It is often found in dark chocolate and the scientific community is now beginning to recognize epicatechin as the main beneficial component of cocoa flavonols, which is what makes dark chocolate so healthy. And as you know, epicatechin is also part of ephedra.

We also looked into the details of the article entitled " Epicatechin - The Dark Forces Behind Dark Chocolate " and it turns out that 50 mg of epicatechin is needed for weight loss, cholesterol and blood sugar control, as well as overall health .

We tend to enjoy on average 45 grams of 70% dark chocolate per day. Therefore, supplements containing epicatechin and other similar flavonols are quite popular. And belong to one of the high-quality elements of ephedra.

What about catechin?

For you, the term “ catechin ” may not be new - this is the main fat-oxidizing element found in green tea. It has also been found in ephedra.

Quite a lot of research has been conducted on various catechins, while EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) is one of the most popular. Weight loss only improves when you increase the total amount of catechin you consume—through tea, diet, or supplements.

Their effectiveness is not in dispute - it really all depends on the dosage. Ephedra is usually taken in a portion of 25 mg at a time , later in the article we will look at some elements that require higher doses of use.

Despite the fact that we now see the presence of incredibly useful components in the plant, it remains important to correctly extract them and check them using various third-party tests.

Flavonoid glycosides

A glycoside is a molecule that uses glycosidic acids to bind sugar to something else. When they are coupled with flavonoids or plant metabolites, you end up with flavonoid glycosides. This type of “bonding” helps improve the absorption process in the human body and is also often used in medicines and drugs.

The specific flavonoid glycosides within ephedra are not yet clear, although the molecule herbaketin has been identified, as well as the powerful antioxidant quercetin (used in fat burners and other supplements) and its glycoside relatives.

Intermediate cycles of tricarboxylic acids: malic and citric acid.

In 1937, a man named Hans Krebs was the first to study how cells convert food into energy using citric acid. He also proposed specific metabolic pathways that show how cells oxidize carbohydrates/fats/proteins to produce energy. The process takes place in the mitochondria (the cellular ' powerhouse ') and is now also known as the Krebs cycle .

Simply put, the cycle removes high energy electrons from carbon, which is an incredibly important intermediate process required for completion (hence its name).

Although there is no direct evidence that the supplement affects weight loss, there is no denying that when the body is deficient in citric acid , it begins to produce less energy, which interferes with normal metabolism and therefore weight loss.

The same goes for malic acid : it is a Krebs cycle catalyst that is used to increase energy production when burning pyruvic acid.

Malic acid deficiency causes chronic fatigue. You need more than what's in ephedra (for example, from a supplement that contains citrulline malate - where malate is from malic acid).

Glycans – normalizes blood sugar levels. Glycans are a type of chemical compound, typically made from monosaccharides (the simplest and most basic units of carbohydrates). They function as protective as well as stabilizing barriers in biological processes to make room for cells in cellular interactions and even in interactions between carbohydrates.

The polysaccharides found in ephedra are known as " ephdrans ", and a total of 5 "ephdrans" have been found ephedra . This element was tested on mice to obtain a long-lasting hypoglycemic effect.

As studies have shown: “the level of glucose in the blood of diabetic mice is significantly reduced.” We don't know exactly how these elements help the human body, or what these doses are ideal, but it is one of the interesting elements of ephedra that helps monitor blood sugar levels, which is very important if you want to lose weight.

Tannins, hydrolyzed tannins and condensed tannins: gallic or epigallic acids.

The word " tannin " is most familiar to wine lovers. They create the taste of dry wine, and in the scientific community they bind to proteins and other amino acids.

Studies that have looked at epicatechin and catechin have also looked at tannins. In particular, gallic and epigallic acids. Gallic acid is “antimutagenic, anticarcinogenic and anti-inflammatory.”

A study published in 2020 shows that gallic acid regulates body weight and glucose homeostasis via AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). When it was given to mice, they did not gain weight despite the increased diet, and their blood glucose levels improved significantly.

Other studies show that gallic acid , as well as its esters, have the beneficial effect of inhibiting enzymes that metabolize drugs.

You're probably familiar with the word gall green tea is gall ester. The bottom line is that it is an important compound that enhances biological processes.

Phenolic proanthocyanidins, procyanidins and acids: stimulation without ephedrine

While these names may sound scary, proanthocyanidins (polyphenols in red wine) have been found to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and overall mortality.

At least twelve different molecules have been discovered in this class (ephedranine D1, ephedranine Tr1, ephedranine Te1), they are related to epigallocatechin, which we discussed above.

So what are they doing that is so unusual? Stimulation.

Is the low ephedrine Mormon hour still stimulating? That's why…

There are several types of ephedra that do not contain significant amounts of ephedrine. Plants from North America are a good example.

However, teas with North American ephedra, known as " Mormon tea ", even without ephedrine, have stimulant properties. So what does it give?

It is assumed that proanthocyanidins are one of the main causes of stimulation that “ignites” the activity of neurons.

Basically, it seems that ephedra is more diverse than just green tea . When it comes to the various catechins that allow for different types of organic interactions to occur, resulting in the desired effects - even without ephedrine.

Essential oils (L-A-Terpineol, Limonene and Linalool)

When essential oils from ephedra stems are analyzed, all sorts of different compounds can be obtained. One study found as many as 127 compounds, including: L-Alpha-Terpineol, Limonene and Linalool.

In general, some of these essential oils have effects on the central nervous system. This is evident from a Japanese study where stimulated pepper oil caused a 1.7-fold increase in the amount of adrenaline in the blood.

Both pepper and ephedra shared terpineol and limonene, which may have influenced adrenaline levels. L-Alpha-terpineol, with an alcoholic odor, has potential as an anticancer agent.

Linalool , however, is partly responsible for the relaxing effect, so it can be used to slightly reduce the adrenaline that ephedra oils cause.

Key points here:

• Ephedra is a wonderful plant that has many beneficial components. No wonder it was used many thousands of years ago.
• Even without the alkaloid ephedrine, ephedra still has some stimulant properties, thanks to some of the nitrogen-containing metabolites discussed above.
• In our opinion, the strongest elements in ephedra extract without ephedrine are: epicatechin, proanthocyanidins, and ephedrane.
• We believe that careless extraction processes used by some suppliers in the 1990s were among the main causes of past problems.

We are on alert

There is a fact that requires additional investigation. He claims that studies have been conducted that show that Ma Huang with ephedrine alkaloids is much more effective than synthetic Ma Huang .

Unfortunately, we have not yet found the results of these studies.

If we do find them, we will definitely update the information.

Thermo-Z from High-Tech Pharmaceutical Companies: Lab Tested and FDA Certified Ephedra.

Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals is the company that makes the best-selling Lipodrene , an ephedra-based supplement.

Over the years they have refined Ma Huang , calling it Thermo-Z ™, which is the only ephedra brand. It has been tested by the FDA and the Drug Enforcement Agency .

This product does not comply with any federal or state prohibition on ephedrine because it does not contain ephedrine alkaloids .

This section will be dedicated to Thermo-Z, since it is the best ephedra-based product, and we trust the laboratory research.

Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals generously allows us to reveal their recipe:

Thermo-Z consists of: more than 50% flavone glycosides, epicatechin tannins; 10% glycans (ephedranes); 10% citric, malic and oxalic acid; 5% proanthocyanidins (condensed tannins); and 5% essential oils (L-A-Terpineol, Limonene and Linalool). — Jared Veth, Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals and CEO.

That's why our article focuses on these ingredients - after all, they are what you'll find in ephedra-based supplements now in stores.

In addition, Thermo-Zi also uses Chinese ephedra, only Thermo-Zi has approval for use from the Chinese government. No one else can use this extract.

Consistency with standardization

We asked Hi-Tech if they could show their standardization with some lab reports. We know they have reports because Hi-Tech has been inspected by the FDA and has never been found to fail a test to meet the standard.

For example, in the test lab, we might see the following breakdown:

• — Tannins: 63.73%
• — Polyphenols: 51.32%
• — Catechins: 13.15%
• — Citric acid: 5.21%
• — Malic acid: 1.78%

There is some overlap between tannins and polyphenols, but not global overlap.

It's no secret that Hi-Tech Pharma and the FDA have had their differences - for example, they fought to keep ephedrine on the market or not. But with an herb as powerful as ephedra, it's best to err on the side of caution and get, by standardization, a product that is as safe as possible.

This is the Drug Enforcement Agency bringing Lipodrene back to us in 2007. Then we changed the formula, and they described the product and said that ephedrine was illegal. We told them the product did not contain illegal ephedrine alkaloids and forced them to return it to us and filmed the process .
— Jared Wheat, Hi-Tech Pharma.

So until we get more information, this is literally the only ephedra we can consider.

Thermo-Z dosage in Hi-Tech ephedra-based fat burners

Most ephedra-based fat burners (like Lipodrene ) contain 25mg of Thermo-Z per serving.

Some of the highest doses are found in Hellfire EPH 150 (150 mg Thermo-Z per capsule!) and Black Mamba HyperRush , which has 65 mg Thermo-Z inside, as of mid-2020.

With that said, one Lipodrene tablet is still standard.

But is this good enough? In the early 2000s, Lipodrene had high hopes for it

Now that ephedrine has been extracted from ephedra, do these supplements actually help with weight loss, even at a 25 mg dose one to four times a day (possibly up to 150 mg taken 3 times a day)? Unfortunately, we do not have any data on weight loss in people taking this ephedra alone. And frankly, we're not sure people care about just one ingredient as much as they get results from a whole range of products containing it.

Below is the most important part:

How do the new ephedra-based fat burners really work in 2020?

After the ban became official in 2004 and was upheld in 2006, many companies went ahead without using ephedra (such as Hydroxycut ), but Hi-Tech is back with Thermo-Z. Thermo-Z has long proven that you can be a legal fat burner based on ephedra, but without ephedrine .

Acacia rigidula extract: replacement for the alkaloid ephedrine

Acacia rigidula is another fascinating plant, and you may notice it on almost every ephedra-based fat burner label. These are molecules that are structurally similar to ephedrine and Hi-Tech even claims that they work better than ephedrine!

Thermo-Rx® vs. Ephedrine : A Comparative Study First, let's take ephedrine as our “base” comparison.

Studies have shown that 10 mg of ephedrine increases energy expenditure by 6.6% over a three-hour period, while another study found that 30 mg of ephedrine increases energy expenditure by approximately 10% .

Just taking ephedrine and sitting on the couch will burn a lot of calories. No one actually claims this...at least not everyone who has researched or used the product. So Hi-Tech decided to replicate these studies under the supervision of Dr. Patrick Jacobs , but using the following:

- Caffeine;

- 250 mg of Acacia rigidula;

— Combination of ingredients in Hi-Tech (Fastin) (fat burner based on acacia);

- Placebo.

Part of the study that interested us was that a 250 mg dose of Acacia rigidula - itself decaffeinated - is the same as ephedrine.

And there is a result - a 12% increase in energy consumption within three hours!

In Fig. It can be seen that in experiments, a single 250 mg of Acacia Rigidula outperforms 30 mg of ephedrine in VO2 testing, while the combination of Fastin showed maximum effectiveness.

You may actually feel better in the next couple of hours, as the amount of energy was still elevated after three hours. The results with Acacia rigidula were better than the effect of a solid dose of ephedrine at 20%, and better than the effect of a small dose of ephedrine by 82%!

Is this a real dose of acacia? Just to be sure, you can easily take this 250mg dose in one day - for example, two Lipodrins contain a total of 300mg of Thermo-RX and Acacia Rigidula and a total of 200mg of caffeine . And don't let the amount of caffeine fool you - two Lipodrins pose a serious danger if you take a dose at once, it is better to stick to one tablet at a time.

Research Used in Federal Court

We would also like to note that this study was used as evidence of the FTC's dispute with Hi-Tech over the definition of the words “ fat burner ” and “ thermogenic .” Hi-Tech won the case and this study had a serious scientific component to it. None of the researchers would put their good name on paperwork in federal court unless the research was extremely well done. This investigation was through calls with testimony from experts and witnesses from all sides.

Customized Thermo-RX components

For the sake of brevity, we won't go into detail about the composition of the components inside Thermo-Rx - but again, they are: metisenrpfin, B-Phenylethylamine, N-methyl-b-Phenylethylamine, and P-beta-P-Phenylethylamine. All this could be studied in another article, specifically on acacia. The fact is that they are similar molecules to ephedrine, and when combined correctly, can have similar, if not better, results. But also remember that these alkaloids are strong and fast and should not be taken lightly. You need to start only with minimal doses only under the supervision of your doctor.

But something is still missing...

Ephedrine also has other uses. It is an excellent appetite suppressant, and many who have previously used it claim that it improves mood and the desire to learn new things.

Analysis of physical effects showed that acacia alkaloids are good, but still insufficient.

1.3 Dimethylamylamine hydrochloride (DMAA)

If you visit this site regularly, then you know that we are big fans of dimethylamylamine when it is used responsibly and as directed on the label. It is extracted from the geranium plant ( Pelargonium ) and is known as a sympathomimetic amine. This means that it mimics norepinephrine , a neurotransmitter used to trigger stimulation of processes in the brain. Users often claim a euphoric mood, increased alertness, and appetite suppression, especially when combined with caffeine. This is more than simply replacing what was lost from ephedrine .

Most ephedra supplements contain this ingredient. Athletes should note that it is banned in almost every sports testing, as are drugs due to its fantastic performance enhancing capabilities, so if you are going to drug test an athlete, you definitely need to stay away from them.

Current legal situation: not “banned” in the USA for ordinary citizens

Now Hi-Tech is also fighting with health regulators over the legality of DMAA . You may remember the popular supplements Jack3d and OxyELITE Pro , which contained a stimulant.

USPlabs , their manufacturer, has been arguing with the FDA over what can be found in the geranium plant, as well as its safety.

As in previous controversies over the safety of DMAA , more than a billion servings have been successfully taken by consumers, but the FDA is still trying to ban DMAA based on isolated cases. Hi-Tech proves that the stimulant is safe when taken properly.

We discuss this entire story on our website - this case will be heard in federal court in 2020, and until then Hi-Tech will continue to use it in products for the enjoyment of their customers. There have been no known tragic events with products from the new batch because consumers are handling it responsibly and taking the correct dosage

DMAA Safety

The truth is that higher doses (eg 75mg) of DMAA can actually increase blood pressure without increasing heart rate.

USPLabs also produced seven studies that showed its safety and effectiveness in healthy people. Many, if not all, issues with DMAA have been due to misuse (overdosing) - especially given severe existing conditions or use in extreme military environments.

Many, if not all, problems associated with DMAA were caused by incorrect label information. The Department of Defense has conducted so much investigation into DMAA because adverse events in the military environment initially attributed to DMAA were actually linked to two cases of hypothermia, one case of coronary artery disease, and a case of sickle cell disease. But this was proven too late - the military had already banned the sale of DMAA . No matter how serious ephedra-based fat burners But if you are healthy and consume them, you will feel incredible.

Conclusion on ephedrine substitutions

It's worth repeating again: these are powerful stimulants! Most of these products are not for the timid. Keep this in mind. There is an old saying that says “ sell people what they want to buy, not what you want to sell them .” This combination of ingredients takes a different approach, but the results are the same - if not better. And we think it's definitely safer. Therefore, next we need to talk about security:

New ephedra: side effects and safety

So ultimately, are these products safe? First, we are absolutely confident that the 'new ephedra' in Thermo-Z is safe, simply because there are not many of the stimulating parts inside. Catechin acids have long been safe, even in high doses, as shown by safety studies conducted on epicatechin.

Dealing with the question “ is ephedra safe ” will no longer be difficult. But we're looking at thermo-zi, giro

Effect of ephedrine[edit | edit code]

Ephedrine is a sympathomimetic, which means that its action is realized through the release of catecholamines (norepinephrine) from nerve endings, which in turn interact with adrenergic receptors. The effect of ephedrine in general is manifested by activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Ephedrine itself does not interact with adrenergic receptors. [5] The effect of ephedrine on the central nervous system is limited because it does not penetrate the blood-brain barrier well.

Effects of ephedrine[edit | edit code]

• Fat Burning
• Decreased appetite (severe)
• Mental stimulation
• Increased heart rate
• Acceleration of metabolism
• Increased performance and training performance
• Moderate diuretic effect

Ephedrine combination[edit | edit code]

Most often, ephedrine is combined with caffeine and aspirin - ECA (ephedrine, caffeine, aspirin), sometimes aspirin is replaced with salicin, which is practically no different in action from aspirin. Many sports nutrition manufacturers used to produce fat burners based on ECA. Currently, fat burners with ECA are illegal in Russia and many countries around the world, but continue to be manufactured in countries such as China, India, etc.

Content

• 1 What is ephedrine?
• 2 How does ephedrine affect the body?
• 3 Effect of ephedrine
• 4 Side effects of ephedrine and how to avoid them
• 5 Use of ephedrine in bodybuilding
• 6 Ephedrine analogues

ECA: ephedrine, caffeine, aspirin

Ephedrine in bodybuilding

Many substances can improve the effect of your training. At the same time, they not only increase their effectiveness, but also improve the athlete’s well-being after grueling exercise. Ephedrine is one of these substances, which has a number of its own characteristics.

Side effects of ephedrine[edit | edit code]

Side effects associated with oral ephedrine:[6]

• From the cardiovascular system: tachycardia, arrhythmia, angina pectoris, increased blood pressure
• Skin side effects: hot flashes, sweating, acne
• Gastrointestinal: appetite suppression, nausea
• Genitourinary system: difficulty urinating (very rare)
• Central nervous system: anxiety, insomnia, euphoria, aggressiveness
• Other side effects of ephedrine: dizziness, headache, tremor (shaking), hyperglycemia, dry mouth

Most of the unwanted reactions disappear 2-3 days after the start of the course.

Preventing ephedrine side effects[edit | edit code]

Many side effects can be prevented by following these guidelines:

• Ephedrine can overload the cardiovascular system, especially during initial use, but this adverse reaction can be prevented with the use of beta blockers. Take Metoprolol in a dose of 50-100 mg 1-2 times a day, this will normalize blood pressure, reduce heart rate, and eliminate chest discomfort. Metoprolol will protect your heart by blocking the effect of ephedrine on the myocardium. To determine the appropriate dose of beta blockers, check your pulse rate 2-3 hours after taking a dose of ephedrine and 50 mg of metoprolol. If the pulse is within 60-80 beats per minute at rest, then the dosage is sufficient. If the pulse is lower, reduce the dose of Metoprolol by half, if the pulse is higher, increase the dosage by 1.5-2 times.
• Drink enough liquid - at least 2.5 liters per day (total amount), otherwise dehydration occurs, which can lead to numerous complications. The drug suppresses thirst and increases fluid loss, so control the amount of water you drink.
• To prevent insomnia, do not take the drug in the afternoon.
• If other significant side effects occur, reduce the dose of ephedrine or discontinue it completely.
• Do not take this drug if you have any contraindications.
• For complete safety, taking ephedrine should be agreed with your doctor.

Contraindications to ephedrine[edit | edit code]

• Do not take ephedrine together with antidepressants (MAO inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants and some others).
• Diseases of the cardiovascular system (coronary artery disease, history of heart attack, arrhythmias, etc.)
• High blood pressure
• Angle-closure glaucoma
• Prostate hypertrophy
• Pheochromocytoma
• Pregnancy and lactation
• Age less than 18 years (relative contraindication).
• If you have any medical conditions or are taking medications, you should consult your doctor before use.

Interaction with other drugs

Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine:

• Weaken the effects of narcotic analgesics and sleeping pills;
• Concomitant use with other sympathomimetics increases side effects;
• Taken together with reserpine and MAO inhibitors (including furazolidone, procarbazine, selegiline) can cause headache, cardiac arrhythmias, vomiting, and a sudden strong increase in blood pressure;
• When used simultaneously with cardiac glycosides, quinidine, tricyclic antidepressants, dopamine, inhalation anesthesia agents (chloroform, enflurane, halothane, isoflurane, methoxyflurane, trichlorethylene), the risk of developing severe ventricular arrhythmias increases;
• Reduce the antihypertensive effect of diuretics, nitrates, beta-blockers (blockade of beta-adrenergic receptors can lead to the prevalence of alpha-adrenergic activity with the risk of developing arterial hypertension and pronounced bradycardia with the possible development of heart block);
• Medicines that alkalinize urine (antacids containing Ca2+ and Mg2+, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, citrates, sodium bicarbonate) reduce the rate of excretion in urine and increase the duration of action.

Preparations containing ephedrine[edit | edit code]

Broncholytin (125 ml bottle)
BRONCHOLYTIN is a cough syrup that has gained the greatest popularity because it is still available without a prescription in private pharmacies. One bottle of Bronholitin contains: ephedrine hydrochloride - 100 mg, glaucine hydrobromide - 125 mg, camphor basil oil 125 mg.

According to many athletes, Bronholitin is an ideal source of ephedrine. The average portion of broncholithin is 0.5-0.25 bottles (50-25 mg of ephedrine) and non-toxic accompanying components. Basil oil is completely safe, but gives broncholithin a nasty taste. Glaucine - a single dose can be 80 mg (2/3 of a bottle of Broncholitin), this is a non-toxic compound that has a sedative effect. In combination with ephedrine, glaucine eliminates many of its side effects: anxiety and restlessness are reduced, chest discomfort occurs less frequently, etc., at the same time, glaucine does not reduce the fat-burning effect of ephedrine.

However, there is also a significant drawback - sugar. 1 bottle of broncholitin contains 43 g of sugar (about 14 g in one serving of syrup). In fact, it’s only two teaspoons, which will not create a significant obstacle during drying and will quickly “burn out” during the training process.

Ephedra two-spikelet

Also common on the territory of the Russian Federation is the plant Ephedra double-spikelet, which contains alkaloids of the ephedrine group, constituting 1-2% by weight of the dry herb. Ephedrine makes up 30-90% of the total alkaloids.

On the territory of the Russian Federation it is found in zones of steppes and semi-deserts in the European part and in Western Siberia. Found locally, common in places. In the regions of the Central Black Earth economic region it is very rare.

Listed in the regional Red Books: Republics of Bashkortostan and Tatarstan, Belgorod, Kemerovo, Kurgan, Kursk, Lipetsk, Novosibirsk, Penza, Samara and Saratov regions

See also other drugs containing ephedrine.

Bronchitusen syrup

The syrup contains: ephedrine (4 mg), glaucine (5 mg), basil, sugar, ethyl alcohol, water, citric acid, propylparaben preservative, polysorbates.

Side effects:

Bronchitusen increases the number of heart contractions and increases blood pressure, suppresses intestinal motility, promotes pupil dilation, activates the central nervous system (increasing motor activity), and reduces appetite.

Contraindications for use:

• Hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
• Angina pectoris.
• Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries.
• Chronic and acute heart failure.
• Hypertension with target organ damage.
• Tachycardia, at high dosages possible - atrial fibrillation.
• Hyperthyroidism.
• Angle-closure glaucoma.
• Diabetes.
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia.
• Sleep disorders.
• The period of pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Pharmacological properties:

A medicine that relieves cough and dilates the bronchi. Glaucine suppresses the functionality of the cough center located in the occipital lobe of the brain. Ephedrine is a sympathomimetic substance, has a stimulating effect on the central nervous system, also eliminates bronchospasm, and has a bronchodilator effect. Basil has a weak antiseptic and sedative effect, and also suppresses the activity of the cough center.

Replacement of ephedrine[edit | edit code]

As you know, ephedrine is prohibited for free distribution and sale in Russia (with the exception of drugs with certificates and licenses). The drug containing ephedrine, broncholithin, contains quite a lot of sugar and has a bad taste, causing nausea and other unpleasant effects in some people. The most suitable alternative in terms of properties is DMAA

.
There are other substitutes for ephedrine - thyroxine
, the main thyroid hormone. Other alkaloids, such as caffeine, yohimbine, synephrine, and the levorotatory isomer of amphetamine (L-amphetamine)

Chemical structure of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine

The Ephedra plant or Ma huang (see here) contains the alkaloids: L-ephedrine, D-pseudoephedrine and LN-methylephedrine. In different types of ephedra, the content of alkaloids varies from 0.5 to 3%. Pseudoephedrine is the optical isomer of ephedrine. In terms of pharmacological properties, pseudoephedrine is less active and toxic.

Notes[edit | edit code]

1. Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of June 30, 1998 N 681 (as amended on April 1, 2016) “On approval of the list of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors subject to control in the Russian Federation”
2. List of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors, the circulation of which in the Russian Federation is prohibited in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation and international treaties of the Russian Federation (list I).
3. (3) List of precursors, the circulation of which is limited in the Russian Federation and in respect of which control measures are established in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation and international treaties of the Russian Federation (List IV)
4. List of precursors, the circulation of which is limited in the Russian Federation and in respect of which control measures are established in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation and international treaties of the Russian Federation (List IV) Precursors, the circulation of which is limited in the Russian Federation and in respect of which special control measures are established
5. Guoyi Ma, et al. Pharmacological Effects of Ephedrine Alkaloids on Human {alpha}1- and {alpha}2-Adrenergic Receptor Subtypes J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther.; no. 322 pp. 214-221
6. Joint Formulary Committee. British National Formulary, 47th edition. London: British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain; 2004.

Bronchoton

The drug contains: ephedrine (100 mg), glaucine (125 mg), basil oil (125 mg), sugar, citric acid, preservatives (propylparaben), ethyl alcohol, polysorbate, purified water.

Side effects:

This drug is quite well tolerated. In a number of cases, during treatment, side effects associated with ephedrine and glaucine were observed, including:

• Cardiovascular system: tachycardia, partial heart block, increased blood pressure.
• Nervous system: tremors in the limbs, disruption of circadian rhythms, headaches, vertigo (dizziness).
• Digestive system: dyspeptic disorders (vomiting, nausea, constipation, diarrhea), decreased hunger.
• Reproductive and excretory systems: dysuria in patients with prostate adenoma.
• Dermatological reasons: itching, dermatitis, etc.
• Other: blurred vision, mydriasis (dilated pupils), hyperhidrosis (increased sweating), decreased libido in men, premenstrual syndrome with severe pain in the lower abdomen in women, decreased therapeutic effect when taking the drug again.

Contraindications for use:

• Bronchoton is not recommended for use by people with hypersensitivity to ephedrine and other auxiliary components of this drug.
• The drug is not prescribed to people with individual fructose intolerance.
• Bronchoton is also not recommended for use in patients with coronary heart disease, hypertension, rhythm disturbances, chronic heart failure, or atherosclerotic myocardial lesions.
• The drug should not be used in the presence of pheochromocytoma, glaucoma, diabetes mellitus, benign prostatic hyperplasia, thyrotoxicosis, problems with falling asleep and frequent awakenings at night.
• The drug should also not be given to children under 3 years of age and is prohibited for use during pregnancy and lactation (feeding).
• The drug should be used with caution by persons prone to drug dependence, epileptic seizures, as well as liver disorders and alcoholism.
• People in the older age group and people whose work requires increased concentration also need to be careful when using Bronchoton.

Pharmacological properties:

Bronchoton is a combined cough medicine that also has bronchodilator and antiseptic efficacy. The active ingredients of Bronchoton - ephedrine and glaucine - have a synergistic effect in diseases of the lungs and upper respiratory tract, which cause frequent coughing and bronchospasm. Glaucine, a substance of plant origin, is essentially an alkaloid that specifically acts on the cough center of the brain. Glaucine in prescribed dosages usually does not suppress respiratory function. Among other things, it eliminates bronchospasms by acting on the smooth muscles of the lungs, and also reduces the tone of the sympathetic nervous system. Ephedrine is an adrenergic stimulating substance that interacts directly with adrenergic receptors and helps suppress amine oxidase enzymes. Ephedrine actively affects the production of adrenaline and its precursor norepinephrine, reduces the tone of bronchial smooth muscles, and has a bronchodilator effect. Bronchoton also has a coughing and expectorant effect. The composition includes basil oil, which has an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect on the body. The highest concentration of glaucine after ingestion is determined after 1-2 hours. The main active ingredients are partially biotransformed in the liver, then excreted in the urine in the form of metabolites. The elimination period for ephedrine is approximately 4-6 hours.

Indications for use

The drug is indicated for allergic reactions, inflammatory processes, hypotension, significant blood loss due to injuries and surgical interventions. The alkaloid is used to treat bronchial asthma and hay fever, as well as muscle weakness, enuresis and narcolepsy.

Indications for athletes:

• Increased physical strength and endurance.
• Increased energy potential.
• Acceleration of fat burning.
• Formation of high-quality muscles.

Methods of administration and dosage

ECA is very popular. In addition, caffeine and aspirin can be purchased at any pharmacy or online store. The only problematic part of ECA is ephedrine, which is much more difficult to obtain. In some countries the substance remains illegal and cannot be found on the market. But the drug Bronkaid

, which is an asthma medicine, can be bought without a prescription. It contains 25 milligrams of ephedrine sulfate.

ECA has three main mechanisms of action that will lead to the ultimate goal - fat loss, increased metabolism, appetite suppression. A typical dose of ECA is:

• 24 mg ephedrine;
• 200 mg caffeine;
• 80 mg aspirin.

taken three times a day.

This will be the maximum

daily dosage.
However, the best way to take ECA
is to split your dose of ephedrine into three small doses of 8 mg, 100 mg of caffeine into two doses, and 80 mg of aspirin per day. After which you can slowly increase the dose until the recommended dose is reached. In the same way, you can make an eka fat burner with your own hands, taking the necessary doses of substances purchased separately at the pharmacy.

be careful

, any dietary supplements have not been tested, so preparing the drugs yourself will be extremely dangerous to health.

Moreover, ephedrine or ephedra extract will be difficult to obtain; without this, the fat burner will lose effectiveness. It is better to choose ready-made ECA complexes from famous brands.

Ready-made fat burners based on ECA mainly contain a non-narcotic substance. Manufacturers recommend using:

1. one tablet in the morning after meals;
2. if necessary, a second dose of ECA at lunch or before training, but no later than 7 hours before bedtime.

The effectiveness and effect of ephedra on the body

Ephedrine fat burners are drugs that are used to suppress appetite, reduce hunger during meals, reduce fatigue, increase performance, and increase concentration. In addition, ephedra, present in fat burners, has a thermogenic effect; it helps convert fat into energy, promotes rapid weight loss, and gets rid of congestion.

But, such an effect on the body does not end with continuous benefits for humans, because some components of ephedra can cause side effects.

Buy the best fat burners >>

This applies only to such a component as Ephedrine. It has long been used in fat burners, and has also been used by athletes to increase endurance in competitions. The component is currently prohibited! But its analogues, and in particular Ephedra Extract, ephedrine, are legal and safe, and are the main ingredients of thermogenics today.

In practice, it has been proven that the longer you take the drug with ephedra, the greater the likelihood that a person will lose weight. But, you also need to take into account the fact that each drug has an optimal course of administration, and with its increase, a reverse reaction of the body is observed, accompanied by side effects.

By studying the experiments, we can conclude that ephedrine promotes weight loss by enhancing thermogenesis and suppressing appetite. On average, in a course of 4 weeks you can lose 5 kg, if you follow a diet. Such results will be appropriate for athletes who need to remove excess fluid from the body, dry out the terrain and get into lean shape before competitions.

Video review of a fat burner with ephedrine - Black Spider

ECA fat burner has been used for many years in all sports, including bodybuilding. However, few people ask themselves the most important questions: Is ECA safe? What it is? Are there any alternatives? Therefore, we will consider the effect of the composition of the ECA complex on weight loss and the rules for its use.

The ECA complex consists of three ingredients:

ephedrine, caffeine and aspirin.
On their own, ephedrine and caffeine can have a positive effect on weight loss by burning subcutaneous fat. However, when these three compounds are combined, a synergistic effect is obtained that can speed up metabolism by 10%. This will lead to fast fat burning and results. For example, ephedrine
to increase heat production in the body (thermogenesis), which leads to the release of stored fat.
After this, fat is used as the body's first source of energy during exercise. Meanwhile, caffeine
will force the body to continuously burn fat throughout the day and also increase metabolism.
Finally, aspirin
works to keep your body temperature stable, allowing ephedrine and caffeine to work longer.

What is Ephedra and why is it used in bodybuilding?

Ephedra is one of the most popular thermogenic supplements. This substance is produced from the Mahuang plant. It grows in Europe, Asia and America. Synthetic Ephedrine is also obtained from plant materials. Most scientists classify this drug as a beta-2 antagonist, but recent research shows that the substance can also interact with beta-3 receptors, which are most active in white fibers. Both natural and artificial substances are excellent fat burners.

Ephedra contains 5 substances belonging to the group of alkaloids. The most studied of them today is Pseudoephedrine, which is part of a large number of different drugs. Ephedra contains the following alkaloids:

• Norpseudoephedrine;
• Ephedrine;
• Methylephedrine;
• Norephedrine;
• Pseudoephedrine.