Which states sell ephedra

Although multiple components of ephedra may impact your body, the most notable effects are likely due to ephedrine. Several studies showed that ephedrine increases resting metabolic rate — the number of calories your body burns at rest — which may be due to an increase in the number of calories burned by your muscles 4 , 6. Ephedrine can also boost the fat-burning process in your body 7 , 8.

One study found that the number of calories burned over 24 hours was 3. Another study observed that when obese individuals went on a very-low-calorie diet, their metabolic rate dropped. However, this was partially prevented by taking ephedrine 9. In addition to the short-term changes in metabolism, some studies show that ephedrine can promote weight and fat loss over longer time periods.

In five studies of ephedrine compared to a placebo, ephedrine led to weight loss of 3 pounds 1. However, long-term data on the usefulness of ephedrine for weight loss is lacking Additionally, many ephedrine studies examine the combination of ephedrine and caffeine rather than ephedrine alone Ephedrine, a major component of ephedra, can increase the number of calories your body burns. Research has shown this results in greater weight and fat loss over weeks to months, though long-term studies are limited.

Many studies examining the weight loss effects of ephedrine have combined this ingredient with caffeine. The combination of ephedrine and caffeine appears to exert greater effects on your body than either ingredient alone 12 , For example, ephedrine plus caffeine increases metabolic rate more than ephedrine alone Some research has even reported that caffeine and ephedrine individually had no effects on weight loss, while the combination of the two did produce weight loss Over 12 weeks, ingesting a combination of ephedra and caffeine 3 times per day led to a reduction of 7.

Another 6-month study in overweight and obese people compared a supplement containing ephedrine and caffeine to a placebo during a weight loss program The group taking ephedrine lost 9. The ephedrine group also decreased body weight and LDL bad cholesterol more than the placebo group.

The act bans over-the-counter sales of cold medicines that contain the ingredient pseudoephedrine, which is commonly used to make methamphetamine. The sale of cold medicine containing pseudoephedrine is limited to behind the counter. The amount of pseudoephedrine that an individual can purchase each month is limited and individuals are required to present photo identification to purchase products containing pseudoephedrine.

In addition, stores are required to keep personal information about purchasers for at least two years. The FDA is announcing new legal requirements for the legal sale and purchase of drug products containing pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine required by the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of This new law calls for a comprehensive system of controls regarding the distribution and sale of drug products that can be used in the illicit production of methamphetamine.

The Act would ban over-the-counter sales of cold medicines that contain ingredients that are commonly used to make methamphetamine such as pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine is a drug found in both prescription and over-the-counter products used to relieve nasal or sinus congestion caused by the common cold, sinusitis, hay fever, and other respiratory allergies.

It can also be used illegally to produce methamphetamine. Methamphetamine is a powerful, highly addictive stimulant. It is manufactured in covert, illegal laboratories throughout the United States. Methamphetamine can be ingested by swallowing, inhaling, injecting or smoking.

The side effects, which arise from the use and abuse of methamphetamine, include irritability, nervousness, insomnia, nausea, depression, and brain damage.

McNamara SH. FDA has adequate power and authority to protect the public from unsafe dietary supplements. HerbalGram ; New York Times. The ephedra ban is not enough editorial. New York Times Jan. USA Today. USA Today Jan 6, Citizens petition by the American Herbal Products Association for regulations requiring adverse experience reporting for dietary supplements.

Food and Drug Administration. Dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids; Reopening of the comment period Docket No. Federal Register Mar. Blumenthal M. FDA moves to ban ephedra: final rule due in January. FDA to ban ephedra. New York Times , Dec.

Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Ephedrine is a drug derived from the plant Ephedra equisetina. It has been used for hundreds of years as both a stimulant and decongestant. In , the U. Food and Drug Administration FDA banned the sale of supplements containing ephedrine after a number of deaths and cases of adverse effects related to their use were reported.

That said, ephedrine can be legally obtained for certain medical purposes where the benefits are believed to outweigh the risks.