hi tfv,
Um, I'm reading debbie's post, and I see only warm and friendly words of encouragement to a new member with questions about lowcarbing ..
.. The other folks who suggested approaching ephedra with some caution were expressing opinions meant to be helpful also.
Indeed, the Harvard study you noted is well known to us; our webmaster Wa'il posted it to the Research forum last November;
click here to read it Yes, ephedra is generally safe, but must be approached with the usual caution, and with knowledge as to how it works, side effects and contraindications. It is after all, a drug, and is not for everybody. Aspirin is also generally regarded as safe, however, it has its own untoward effects as well, and is not for everybody.
Here are the contraindications (from
Smartbasic.com who markets thermogenics with ephedra):
Quote:
WHO SHOULD NOT USE ASPIRIN AND EPHEDRA
First, you must be able to tolerate aspirin. People who are allergic to aspirin, are taking certain anticoagulant drugs, suffer from bleeding disorders have wet macular degeneration of the eye, or have ulcers or chronic gastritis may not be able to take any aspirin. (Beta carotene, taken with aspirin has been shown to eliminate gastric inflammation caused by aspirin)
Once it's been determined that you can tolerate aspirin, you need to ascertain if you can tolerate ephedrine-caffeine. Consult your physician if you are taking asthma medications, appetite suppressing drugs, antidepressants, or cardiovascular medications.
You should not take this combination if you have cardiovascular disease (especially cardiac arrhythmias), uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, prostatic hypertrophy, glaucoma, psychosis, or thyroid disease. You shouldn't use this combination within 14 days after taking classical MAO inhibiting drugs (deprenyl is not a classical MAO inhibitor). It should not be taken by pregnant or lactating women.
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Another thing worth noting is that Ephedra and ephedrine are NOT the same thing. Ephedra is the alkaloid extract of the herb ma huang, and contains ephedrine and other alkaloids which balance one another. Ephedrine is a highly purified alkaloid derivitave from ephedra, without the other substances.
You had wonderful success with ephedra and a lowcarb diet, and it's great to share that, but to recommend for others to do the same without offering links to further information or books, etc.... isn't helpful. New members are encouraged ALWAYS to read, learn and inform themselves about lowcarbing, and how it will affect their body and health. Stacking has its place, and if you check our Tips article on Stalls and Plateaus, you'll see it's suggested -- with links to information -- as a tool for those whose weight loss has stopped with the diet alone. Most folks are following a lowcarb program as a permanent way of LIFE.
Hope you share your lowcarb experience with us ..
.. and continued success to you.
Doreen