Ma Huang

Ma Huang (Ephedra) as a Dietary Supplement: The Good, the Bad, the Deadly "Lose weight fast", "thermogenic fat burner", "rapid weight loss", these are just a few of the guarantees that manufacturer's are using to promote the now widely used and highly controversial dietary supplements containing ma haung (ephedra). Sounds great; a simple way to stimulate weight loss and increase energy, can this really work or are these companies suggesting the impossible? Ma Huang, or …

…those containing ephedra, have taken the American health care system by storm. These products are raising enormous worries in the medical community due to the growing problem of toxicities associated with ma huang. Can it be believed that these so-called natural supplements are safe alternatives or enhancements for energy and weight loss? Until proposed regulatory restrictions on botanical ephedra are enforced, moderation and caution should be stressed when using any dietary supplements containing ma huang.