Didn't They Ban Ephedra?
The short answer to the question whether ephedra was banned or not is yes and no. Yes, the FDA did ban ephedra for use in diet pills in 1997, but this ban was lifted just three years later. So don't worry - all the ephedra and ephedrine dietary supplements and weight loss pills for sale at Powerhouse Supplements are completely legal and squeaky-clean.
For a start, it's a wonder they had the cheek to ban ephdra at all. Ephedra is a natural extract that comes from the Ephedra sinica plant (plus other ephedra species) and has been used safely and effectively for centuries as part of traditional Chinese medicine, where ephedra is used to treat respiratory problems.
Well, the answer to why they banned ephedra is because some idiots abused it and managed to do themselves major damage or even kill themselves. This brings an old Latin proverb to mind: Abusus non tollit usum, or "the abuse does not deny/banish/rule out the use". Ephedra isn't the only dietary supplement or nutritional aid that can be abused - to take one example, zinc is used in many body building supplements and to improve skin tone, but nobody in their right mind goes chowing down on zinc nails.
Ephedra has its effect by raising the body's metabolism and triggering the "flight or fight" mechanism in the system. What you will notice after taking an ephedra weight loss supplement is a slightly raised heart rate and possibly a raised body temperature. This is the thermogenic activity of ephedra at work. A raised metabolism burns calories more effectively, turning them to heat - this is a real fat burner! A sense of overall energy or restlessness also sets in, prompting you to exercise, which, combined with the raised metabolism, means that you will burn fat and lose weight.
Common sense should be used with ephedra and with any other weight loss product, and the directions and dosages should always be followed strictly. However, as part of an overall weight management program, ephedra is very effective, helping you see results quickly. After all, obesity and being over weight carries even greater health risks!
