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Ma Huang, The Chinese Herb Used For Weight
Loss - Any Danger?
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.
In 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!
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Article by Jeannie Crabtree C.Ac., CC-EFT. Be sure to visit the
rest of the site for more Alternative
Health and Natural Health
Information. |
