Every person who is interested to lose weight must have heard about the term “ephedrine alkaloids”. 
Well, do you know what ephedrine alkaloids are? Let us explore ephedrine alkaloids in detail…
Chemically, ephedrine alkaloids belong to alkaloid group that is extracted from various plants belonging to genus Ephedra under family name Ephedraceae. Basically, its structure is much more similar to that of semi-synthetic derivatives of methamphetamine and amphetamine.
Other alkaloids present in ephedra extract
The ephedrine alkaloids that are contained in dietary supplements are not identical to pure synthetic ephedrine. Remember that ephedrine alkaloids are not the only alkaloids that are present in ephedra extracts. There are other alkaloids too. While some of the alkaloids present in ephedra extract help in slowing down the process of ephedrine absorption from our digestive tract, there are other alkaloids that actually restrain the stimulant properties of ephedrine alkaloids.
Therefore, from an overall safety standpoint, ephedrine alkaloids contained in ephedra are safer than pure ephedrine. That’s why consumption of whole ephedra is considered comparatively safer than the consumption of ephedrine alkaloids alone.
Initially drug manufacturers who used ephedrine alkaloids as active ingredient of dietary supplements used to extract it naturally from the ephedra herb. However, of late, most of these manufacturers now synthesize it chemically in their respective laboratories although most of them claim ephedra for sale as extracted naturally from ephedra!
Ephedrine was generally recognized by the FDA as “safe and effective” for its over-the-counter (OTC) drug use as a bronchodilator at doses up to 25 mg of ephedrine taken up to 6 times per day, for a total daily dose of 150 mg per label directions. The FDA has approved pseudoephedrine for OTC use at a dose of up to 60 mg per serving up to 240 mg per day.
Side Effects
It has been found that…
- They have potentially lethal stimulant effects on the cardiovascular system and central nervous system of the body.
- Possible side effects, include elevated blood pressure (hypertension), stroke, heart attacks, palpitations (rapid heart rate), neuropathy, myopathy, memory loss, psychosis, insomnia, tremors, nervousness, seizures and death.
Following numerous reports of adverse effects of ephedrine alkaloid consumption, FDA has banned this ingredient from any kind of dietary supplements or pills.
