ephedra supplements

It used to be that ephedra supplements were an extremely popular way for overweight people to lose weight. Ephedra is a stimulant, and like all stimulants ephedra supplements dramatically boosts the metabolism. In this sense, ephedra supplements are an effective way to lose weight.

Unfortunately however, ephedra supplements remain a risky and unhealthy way to lose weight. While not a particularly dangerous medicine in itself, when mixed with caffeine or other stimulants ephedra can become a critical risk to your health.

Every year there are several reported cases of persons who unknowingly overdosed by taking some type of ephedra supplement and then going on to have coffee, Sudafed, or some combination of other stimulants that put them over the top.

But even when not combined with anything else, ephedra increases your chances of having a heart attack - especially in individuals who already have heart trouble or blood pressure issues. The irony is that nearly all individuals that are tempted to take ephedra supplements to lose weight are the exact same individuals who are at the top risk by taking them.

Today, due to the many risks associated with it, ephedra supplements have waned in popularity as diet pills. They've been replaced by a host of other supplements that are every bit as dangerous but simply haven't been exposed yet.

Also, do not be fooled by the term 'natural' or 'herbal'; these two words are not synonymous with 'healthy' or 'safe'. Remember that ephedra comes from a 100 percent natural herb, and so do hemlock and nicotine.

Many of the ephedra supplement overdose cases you hear recently involve college aged kids taking 'herbal ecstasy' concoctions. Herbal ecstasy is a combination of epehdra, caffeine, and pseudephedrine, which act together to extend the strain on your heart above its normal limits. In far too many people, this has tragic consequences.

Fortunately, ephedra supplements are hard to find in stores due to the dangers linked to them. But they are still legal and available to anyone determined to take them.

You'll see them in gas station markets or 7-11s, usually sold at the counter in colorful little packets labeled something like 'Super Boost' or 'Ultimate power Pills'. If you're smart, you'll avoid these like the plague.