Ephedra Debate - Was Re: Creatine, to take or not to take

cassidy

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. Under the FDC (Food, Drug and Cosmetic) Act, the FDA has regulatory authority over drugs, devices, foods and cosmetics. In 1994 Congress passed the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) to redefine the FDA's authority in its premarket approval stance. Most drugs and devices, because of their inherent risks, cannot be marketed without FDA premarket approval. Most foods and dietary supplements, because of their inherent safety do not require such premarket approval. Due to the FDA's misuse of authority in the 1980's and early 1990's, Congress passed DSHEA, to reaffirm the original intent of the FDC Act, and as repeatedly recognized by FDA officials, under the FDC Act as revised by DSHEA, dietary supplements are heavily regulated, and the FDA has the regulatory authority and power to assure safety, and accurate, truthful labeling. FDA Commissioner Jane Henney testified in her confirmation hearings and has stated repeatedly that she "believes DSHEA provides FDA with the necessary legal authority to protect the public health". The Federal Trade Commission's authority to require that claims made for dietary supplements be substantiated by valid science further backs this power and authority. So to say that nutritional supplements go unregulated is simply just another misrepresentation of the truth.
 

cassidy

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With all of this laid out before you, hopefully you have a better understanding of the whole ephedra issue as it relates to rumors, half truths and out and out lies. Scientific data supports ephedrine alkaloids and caffeine in their effects on enhancing and supporting metabolism and thermogenesis, and their role in promoting fat loss. My job has been to formulate to the industry safety standard that has been set forth wherein the total milligram dose of ephedrine alkaloids consumed in a serving be no more than 25 mgs. and that the total daily dose be no more than 100 mgs. To formulate a product that has observed effectiveness and delivers a point of differentiation from other thermogenic products on the market. As research progresses, and I have taken on new tasks and new roles within different companies, the job remains the same - and that is to develop the next generation of fat loss products that really work. To develop products which support the hard work and dedication of the athlete, bodybuilder, and our customers spending their hard earned dollars in search of results. Each time I sit down to work out formulations based on the latest research data and field test information, I am looking for the next "magic bullet", the twist that will make a positive difference. That difference has manifested itself in the current formulation of THERMICORE CRT from the Anabolic Drive Series by METRx. THERMICORE CRT represents state of the art development in the next generation of fat loss - a completely balanced formulation driven by an advanced time release pattern with scientifically engineered support components.
 

cassidy

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What does the future hold???

Well given the current onslaught of the media and the negative press surrounding ephedrine and the situation with the NFL banning ephedra - the future is unsure and to be honest undetermined at this point. I have formulated numerous "best selling" thermogenics - which can't be discussed openly as they are protected by confidentiality agreements - but rest assured, with the changing face of regulatory environment and change within the industry in the attitude to ephedrine - all the major players are formulating and creating ephedrine free thermogenic products. Why? - Just in case the FDA pulls ephedrine from the shelves - the industry leaders can protect their finances by having products that work without ephedrine. This however raises some very serious observations and sets some very specific points of interest. First, you must ask yourself are you using ephedrine based products to lose weight (burn fat) or because you want that jolt - that energy burst that comes with using ephedrine. If you are using it for the energy jolt - I have bad news. Myself and probably hundreds of other researchers, scientists and product developers have been "searching" for an ephedrine substitute for years - a product or ingredient tat would deliver the same "bang" as ephedrine - as it relates to energy. Problem is - we all have come up pretty empty handed - some ideas - some possibilities - but nothing concrete - nothing for sure. However, on the other hand - if you are using ephedrine for fat burning - to support your metabolism for weightloss and don't care about getting that added energy jolt - there is huge potential and much progress on that front has been realized. Scientific data and clinical studies have verified we have gotten results in this regard - without ephedrine.
 

cassidy

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When choosing any ephedrine product or fat burning product - just know why you are selecting it - is it for the fat burning support or just for the energy? Stay with reputable companies that employ cGMP and OTC manufacturing standards - stick with one of the big names - the companies that have the resources and procedures in place for substantial Quality Assurance, Analytical Analysis and Quality Control. Cheaper isn't always better.



There you go nightingale you don't need ephedra but it isn't dangerous either.............pucker up
 
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Kirk

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Originally posted by cassidy
A kirk it is that simple.

Okay, I want to discuss this with you. Please understand that I
have been fighting my weight for years upon years, and I'm very
passionate about this subject.

I also have a problem with communication. Often, many have felt
that I've been insulting or rude to them, when it was NOT my
intention, so PLEASE bear with me.

Shall we make a new thread to discuss this?
 

cassidy

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Don't worry I took no offense from you, nothing is wrong at all with what you said. We can discuss it on our PM's if you like.:asian:
 
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Kirk

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Originally posted by cassidy
Don't worry I took no offense from you, nothing is wrong at all with what you said. We can discuss it on our PM's if you like.:asian:

Well if you're gonna educate me, lets put it out there for others
to learn from.
 

Bob Hubbard

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Can you cite non-manufacturer studies that support this?

To the best of my knowledge, there is no organization that oversees nutritional suppliments quality or safety.

Studies on Ginseng for example have found that many of the over the counter packages contained minimal if any actual Ginseng.

Mens Fitness magazine also on recent looks at supliments had a few things to say:
Men's Fitness November, 1999
"While herbs are natural products, it's important to keep in mind that when stimulants such as ephedra (ma huang) are taken to enhance performance, they often function like drugs. "

Men's Fitness May, 1999
"Caffeine and ephedra
These two controversial stimulants are thermogenic on their own but have an even greater effect on fat loss when combined. They are added to several ready-made drinks or pills found in health-food stores, sometimes referred to by their respective herbal names, guarana and ma huang.

The problem, again, is side effects. Overuse of caffeine and ephedra has been associated with increased heart rate, insomnia, nervousness and even death. "Scientific studies have shown that [the combination] works, but I'm not crazy about the potential for side effects," Kalman says. If you're on antidepressant medication, ephedra is not an option. "

Men's Fitness February, 2000
"And if you’re having any trouble sleeping, don’t take fat-burning supplements that contain stimulating substances such as caffeine or ephedra. "


If it is safe, why has the NFL banned its use?
http://www.ephedrine-news.com/html/athletes.html
In May 2001, the NFL was the first professional sports league to ban the use of ephedra, allowing any player that fails a random testing for ephedra to be suspended for four games. The NFL's decision to ban ephedra followed reports from experts saying the supplement "can cause seizures, strokes, and even death." Prior to the NFL's decision, players had been endorsing ephedra-containing sports drinks. In August 2001, Rashidi Wheeler, a Northwestern University football player, brought national attention to the dangers of ephedra-containing products when he collapsed and died during a workout. Wheeler had drunk the ephedra-based sports mix Ultimate Punch and used Xenadrine with teammates prior to practice.


Why does the Military discourage its use, and have banned sales of ephedra based products on its bases? Certainly if any group out there needed a way to rapidly whip recruits into shape, and give their troops an edge in combat its the military.
"The military services have documented adverse effects due to ephedra-use. The Navy Surgeon General stated that "all three military services have documented medical cases where significant adverse events and deaths have occurred among active duty service members taking certain dietary supplements, specifically preparations containing ephedrine alkaloids." This has resulted in the Navy banning the sale of ephedra containing dietary supplements from Pearl Harbor stores and the Marine base at Kaneohe Bay. Due to the reports of soldier deaths due to ephedra products, such as Metabolife, the Moncrief Army Community Hospital issued a statement saying, "We recommend that you don't take ephedra at all. The bottom line: Ephedra is a very dangerous herb that can kill."

Additional information: The Honolulu Advertiser
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2002/Sep/04/ln/ln01a.html
The Army and Air Force Exchange Service has banned the sale of popular ephedra-related dietary supplements in Hawai'i and elsewhere in the wake of reported adverse health reactions and the death of a Texas soldier.

From Honolulu Star-Bulletin
http://starbulletin.com/2001/02/09/news/story5.html
'All three military services have documented medical cases where significant adverse events and deaths have occurred among active duty service members taking certain dietary supplements, specifically preparations containing ephedrine alkaloids.'
Vice Adm. Richard Nelson

NAVY SURGEON GENERAL


The Military, the NFL and many other sports associations either ban it outright or discourage its use. California has recently passed laws concerning it and other states are expected to follow soon. Study after study not run by those who profit from it continue to find reason for concern.

Let us be frank here...the average person on the street does not have the discipline to watch their intake or count their calleries. They will simply pop the magic pills and wait to lose weight. They are not professional atheletes, they are not body builders. The average person on the mat doesn't eat 8 meals a day and wash it down with weight-gain 2000. This stuff is dangerous, and should not be readilly available for those who can not or will not use it safely (if that is possible) to obtain.
 

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Addendum: You folks were busy while I was writing. heh. Some of my points were addressed a few posts back. Thanks!
 

cassidy

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Oh don't even start with the military thing. I work special operations for the airforce and what little you know. They quit selling it because people were using it incorrectly. When I went through indoc which is like navy S.E.A.L.S training. We were reguraly given protein shakes ,vitamins, creatine,and glutamine. No use fro ephedra when your in that type of traing. You say misuse or to much of it is dangerous. Yes it is. Duh I mean come on now. You guys wanted scientific fact you got it from a guy with a phd in sports medicine. Wake up.
 

cassidy

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"it is dangerous and shouldn't be readily available to the general public" so is alchohol,cigs,and cars but you don't see them stopping that .hmmmmmmmm why because it is our free right and if someone drinks they might drive and that is far more dangerous than ephedra. So lets just ban everything that could be dangerous including the famous no touch knockout
 

Bob Hubbard

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I don't admit to being an expert. I do however continue to find more and more information on the bad. You have not to my recollection provided a single source other than your own well writen article.

I personally believe tobacco should be either removed from the market, or taxed at an additional $5/pack to offset the health issues associated with it.

Alchohol on the other hand, recent studies have shown may be of benefit in moderation.

Ah, thats the key...moderation.

We licence drivers, require them to have insurance (which also has an idiot tax built in to allow for uninsurred drivers). Cocaine, PCB, Etc were found to be health hazzards and made illegal. They are now smuggled in and sold illegally. I'm certain that when they took cocaine off the market, folks had similar feelings, since it was used in numerous health tonics for years.

Protein shakes and metabolism boosters are not the same thing.


I have pointed to about a dozen non-related articles on the health hazzards of ephedra. Can you provide non-manufacturer or non-vendor links to studies indicating its safety when used responsibly?

We won't touch the no-touch KO here.
 

cassidy

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Moderation is the key. Including supplements. The article wasn't written by me it was written by Dr Giles a PHD in sports medicine.
 

cassidy

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Oh ya and these supps we are talking about with ephedra are metabolism boosters.
 
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JDenz

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Did you guys see the story about how the air force people are forced to take uppers before long bombing reconensence flights. ephedra Is an awsome supplement it works doesn't mke you go crazy and is cheap leave it alone. The NFL banned it because of Kory Stringer and weather or not that is why he died we will not know for a long time, if we ever do. Thy over reacted because a player died and got suedfor a huge amount of $$$$$$$. All of a sudden it is worse then being on roids or being cought with a trunk full of weed. Or smoking crack rocks. We tend o get things out of perspective. The human body was built not to look like a body builder but to store fat and binge eating. Anytime that you go agianst that, you are goin agianst nature. I say so what. Idon't want to be fat when I am thirty. I want to look good get the girl. I don't drink I don't smoke, F- u people that want to take my pills and powders away. You are just jealous you don't have the largest arms in the world.
 

Nightingale

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Cassidy-

its easier to just post a link to an article rather than retype the whole thing... or type it to a document and attach it.

Everyone else:

This is the bio of the guy that wrote that article:

Terry Giles - Bio

With over twenty five years experience in the industry directing product development, new innovations, formulations, new concept design, new manufacturing and production technologies as well as product strategies and marketing Terry Giles has reached a legendary status in the industry creating products that have totaled billions of dollars in retail sales.

He was the innovator and product mastermind behind many of the most successful sports supplements and supplement companies focused on human performance. Since joining the Royal Numico family of companies he has been tasked with heading up the development of the new Anabolic Drive Series, the evolution of MET-Rx, as well as addressing innovative new protein technologies and scientifically advanced products for the sports nutrition, human performance and active nutrition categories.

He has a unique angle on the industry, having come from the ground up as a professional athlete holding World Championship titles in the Martial Arts as well as titles in Bodybuilding, Powerlifting and other strength related sports. His background as a world renowned professional trainer and nutritional specialist, having coached literally hundreds of top professional and world class amateur athletes in a variety of sports to championship titles coupled with his education and experience in chemistry, exercise physiology, pharamcogenetics, pharmacokinetics, advanced performance nutrition.

His expertise as a product development researcher have given him an edge on innovative product development, target market strategies and advanced nutritional technologies.

The man is developing these drugs. He has a financial interest in their success. Of course he's going to say they're safe.

Cassidy,

Please show me a study or article by a reputable researcher that is not associated with a manufacturing or developing company that deals with these supplements. I want to see unbiased third party research, where the researcher has nothing to gain financially by finding the drugs safe.

There's so many third party studies out there that say they aren't safe. If they're actually as harmless as you say, surely at least ONE study agrees with you.

-N-
 

cassidy

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show me proof that you obtained your brown belt from a legit kenpo school not some not some watered down mcdojo. Same sort of question don't you think. I saw your picture judging from the physique you have no room to pick and peck at what other people eat and take. Or give advice on the matter.
 

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Hey Cassidy, why don't you stop with the smart *** comments and personal attacks and answer the damn question?

I did more research on Mr Giles (since you couldn't be bothered to do so.

Are you are unable to back up your belief in these drugs usefullness?

---------------
Complete article by Terry Giles
http://econtent.musclemagazine.com/powerclub/index3.php?topic=FatBurners

There is a bio link there.
"Since joining the Royal Numico family of companies he has been tasked with heading up the development of the new Anabolic Drive Series, the evolution of MET-Rx, as well as addressing innovative new protein technologies and scientifically advanced products for the sports nutrition, human performance and active nutrition categories. "

"His expertise as a product development researcher have given him an edge on innovative product development, target market strategies and advanced nutritional technologies. "

If I read that right, he is a developer of METRx

So Cassidys' whole series of posts above is nothing more than ad copy from someone involved in the development of a product mentioned repeatedly in that article. Mr. Giles own homepage (www.terrygiles.com) is little more than a funnel into the marketing of his products. The articles at musclemagazine.com all cross link to his e-store. He's also been involved with CyberGenics. http://www.ifpa-fitness.com/pdf/fall97FitNews.pdf

Assuming the picture there is Mr. Giles, he's got a hell of a development going on. But he is not an unbiased party. Any unbiased info?

And Jeff, stick to the Dr. Pepper.....Guys like Billy Graham and Lyle Alzado learned the hard way what roids can do to get those '24" pythons". Roids were once thought to be 'safe' too.


All that said about Mr Giles objectivity aside, if you can overlook the marketing hype inside his articles, he does in fact provide a very large amount of information.

Creatine - http://econtent.musclemagazine.com/powerclub/index3.php?topic=Creatine
Fat Burners - http://www.musclemagazine.com/fsindex.php?topic=FatBurners
Glutamine - http://econtent.musclemagazine.com/powerclub/index3.php?topic=Glutamine
Carbohydrates - http://econtent.musclemagazine.com/powerclub/index3.php?topic=Carbohydrates

He has also writen several other articles for Muscle Magazine, available thru the above links and Planet Muscle (http://www.planetmuscle.com). An article on Weight Training is at http://www.hwarang.org/Weights.html
 

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