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Have you heard about Ephedra and are curious about what it is? Ephedra, a herbal remedy formerly marketed as a diet pill, is derived from the dried root and rhizome of the host plant.
Also referred to as Ephedra sinica, Ephedra equisetina, or mahuang, this drug has often been toted as a natural appetite suppressant.
The main medicinal agents within this drug, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, stimulate the central nervous system. However, studies have proven that in high doses this drug can increase the risk of high blood pressure, anxiety, heart disease, hypertension, glaucoma, prostate enlargement, hyperthyroidism, seizures and even psychosis. In addition, it has been determined that this drug if taken during pregnancy can be highly dangerous to both the mother and the child.
The Food and Drug Association banned the use and sale of this drug in 2003 after several individuals, without prior history of cardiovascular disease, suffered heart attacks and strokes after taking this drug. Several deaths of individuals resulted from the use of this drug which finally calumniated in the FDA decision to remove this drug from the market. In the aftermath of the use and sale of this drug it was determined that it accounted for only 5% of sales of diet pills but was responsible for approximately 45% of the adverse and fatal side effects associated with such dietary medications. This case outlines the importance of educating yourself on these and related diet supplements and weight loss remedies. Consult thefitmap.com and your doctor for more information.
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