Ma Huang In Diet Supplements - Any Harm?
As more Americans seek relief from a variety of ailments with herbal and alternative remedies, researchers have found that one of these treatments may cause serious health problems.
Investigators from New England Medical Center in Boston discovered that people taking nutritional supplements containing the herbal remedy mahuang, a natural source of the stimulant ephedrine, may be at risk for heart attacks, sudden death and strokes.
The researchers looked at a database containing 926 reports of problems associated with the use of ephedrine (Ma Huang). Fifty of these were heart-related,including 14 sudden deaths, 13 strokes, two mini-strokes, nine heartattacks and six cases of rapid heart beats, according to researcher Dr. David Samenuk, a cardiology doctor at New England Medical Center. He noted that 38 subjects had no history of heart disease.
Awareness of the potential harm of these substances "is critical to uninformed public,'' he said, adding that sudden death can occur after taking this substance, even if a person doesn't have heart disease. The researchers reported their findings at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology.
Ma huang (ephedra) has been used for 500 years in Chinese herbal remedies to treat asthma. In this country, it is used largely for weight loss, energy enhancement and body building.
In the study, 27 people had used the supplement for weight loss, and 15 had used it to boost their energy. Women were more likely to suffer serious consequences after taking Ma Huang, according to the researchers. Almost half of the subjects in this study were women.
This may be because women use herbal remedies more often than men, particularly for weight loss, according to researcher Robert Contreras, a third-year medical student at Tufts University in Boston, which is affiliated with New England Medical Center. However,Samenuk noted, these findings apply only to the women in the study, and that further research will determine if all women are more susceptible to heart-related complications from taking ma huang.
Last year (2000), the federal Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about the dangers of taking supplements containing ephedrine. (Ma Huang) The researchers used the FDA's database, known as the Adverse Reaction Monitoring System,to conduct the study.
My comments on this report: I suggest that you not use supplements containing MaHuang, also known as ephedra.
As of October 2002, Over 1,000 voluntarily submitted Adverse Event Reports (AERs) associated with dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids have been received by the FDA. A number of these Adverse Event Reports have described events that have resulted in death or serious problems such as cardiac arrhythmias, myocardial infarctions, seizures and strokes.
Ma Huang is a central nervous system stimulant. It also stimulates
the adrenals and thyroid. Ma Huang plant contains ephedrine. It
has amphetamine like substances and many of amphetamine effects
are similar to cocaine.
As the body becomes accustomed to the dosage people find themselves taking more to get the same effect. Addiction sets in. Not good! More and more must be used to get the same feeling. Like cocaine withdrawal, withdrawal is characterized by severe depression, irritability and fatigue. Your appetite may pick up quite a bit. You may need to contact a Doctor or detox center to help you if you have a problem stopping the use of Ma Huang. Yes, withdrawal can be that bad.
Many practitioners, not just myself, are against using Ma Huang (ephedra) as a supplement.
As a certified acupuncturist, I am also aware of it's use in
Chinese traditional medicine. It is generally used for the lungs,
in a combination of herbs, for a short period of time.
Let's leave it there, use under a practioner, where those suggesting
it know what they are doing and monitor it's use.
Just picking up a diet supplement containing ma huang at a booth
or store in a combination remedy, or by itself, and using it because
someone said it would give you energy, help you with weight loss
or endure longer in a workout can be a very dangerous choice.
The least that it causes with long term use is adrenal exhaustion
and becoming addictive. Beware!
____________________________
Jeannie Crabtree C.Ac., CC-EFT has worked with both people and
pet’s nutrition for the last 20 years. As a Health Practitioner
she shares secrets about what to do about health challenges today.
Visit the rest of the site for more information. http://www.health-doc.com
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