With the innovations in the diet industry today, there are plenty of tools making waves. One of this is ephedra. Its fast-rising fame has caught the attention of many athletes, fitness buffs and anyone who wants to slim down and lose fat. So today, let us get to know the history of ephedra - where it came from and how it became popular in the weight loss arena.
Ephedra (Ephedra sinica), also known as Ma Huang is a Chinese shrub which has been used in China for centuries as an antiasthmatic and stimulant. In 1885, pure alkaloid ephedrine was first insulated and categorized by Japanese organic chemist Nagai Nagayoshi. In the 1920’s, industrial manufacture of ephedrine started and became hugely well-known as it is a better and more effective remedy for asthma as it can be taken orally, unlike adrenaline. This continued until late 1950’s.
Later on, ephedrine became an essential component in many nutritional supplements. It can increase alertness, boost mood and reduce lethargy as it stimulates the nervous system. Ephedra can also improve your energy and endurance for better overall performance. This works by enhancing the blood flow to the muscles leading to a boost of oxygen and nutrient source to the muscles. Also, it is known to increase BMR (basal metabolic rate) which helps burn calories faster and achieve weight loss.
Because of these effects and benefits, individuals in the sports and bodybuilding industry take ephedra to boost their physical performance. However, ephedra is now banned by the United States Olympic Committee.
Just like many stimulants, ephedra can cause some side effects such as anxiety, vertigo and liver injury. Thus, use of ephedra should be temporary and not for long periods of time.
Although the history of ephedra is proof that it’s very effective and it is backed by hundreds of clinical studies and has received positive reviews from users, keep in mind that you should still consult with your doctor first before putting it in your body.