Burn fat while you sleep! Eat whatever you want and still lose
weight! Don’t suffer through hours of grueling exercise to burn
fat! You’ve probably heard all these phrases before but are the
fat burners containing ephedra that these claims are attached to
really that effective and are they safe?
The primary ingredient in fat burners is the herb ephedra, also
known as ma huang, or it’s manufactured version ephedrine. It
has been used in Chinese herbal medicine quite safely and
effectively for thousands of years. It is often combined with
synthetic or herbal versions of caffeine (e.g. guarana, yerba
mate or kola nut) and aspirin (e.g. white willow bark).
But does it burn fat?
The answer to that question is yes. Ephedra does effectively
help the body to preferentially burn fat for energy. But,
according to medical studies, there can be side effects, some of
which are quite serious.
Ephedra works to burn fat through several means.
-Its chemical makeup increases the breakdown of fatty tissue for
fuel. -Its stimulatory properties help to increase resting
metabolism. This process is known as thermogenesis, which is
essentially excess heat production. You body burns more calories
simply by producing more body heat. -When ephedra is combined
with caffeine and aspirin, it may have appetite suppressant
effects. -The nervous system stimulation you get can help you
maintain your energy levels, which can aid you in your exercise
program.
When used according to instructions and in moderate doses,
studies suggest that fat-burning formulas containing ephedra,
caffeine and aspirin can be safely and effectively used to
SUPPLEMENT a good fat-burning program.
Fat burners should never be used as the sole means to achieve
fat loss. A good fat loss program must also address diet and
exercise, contrary to the hype you see on television and in
print. Anyone who relies solely on pills to lose fat is usually
doomed to regain the lost weight and potentially quite rapidly
after they stop taking the pills.
There is a reason for this weight gain. These pills are
effective, therefore the person does not necessarily have to
change the habits that made them overweight in the first place.
When a person discontinues use of ephedra without changing those
habits, almost inevitably the weight will come back.
The fat-burning effects of ephedra do not come without a price,
however. Ephedra has a number of side effects and should not be
taken by people with certain conditions.
Some of these side effects may include: jitteriness,
sleeplessness, increased heart rate and blood pressure, anxiety,
skin flushing or tingling and nausea.
People who should not take ephedra include those suffering from
heart disease, anxiety attacks, high blood pressure, diabetes,
adrenal disease, thyroid disease or prostate disorders. If you
are taking medication for high blood pressure or are taking
antidepressants or MAO inhibitors, you should stay away from
ephedra. Also, it is not recommended for pregnant women to use
this herb.
Now that you know some of the pros and cons of taking ephedra
supplements you, along with your doctor, can use this
information to help decide whether or not ephedra is right for
you.
For more information on fat loss and exercise, visit
http://www.fitstep.com/Library/Tips/tip_index.htm
About the author:
Nick Nilsson is Vice President of BetterU, Inc., an online
exercise, fitness, and personal training company. Check out his
latest eBook "The Best Exercises You've Never Heard Of" at
http://www.thebestexercises.com or visit http://www.fitstep.com.
You can contact him at betteru@fitstep.com or subscribe to
BetterU News, his fitness newsletter at betterunews@fitstep.com.
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