|
Feb 26, 2003 The Consumers Union, the nonprofit group that publishes the popular Consumer’s Report, recently called again for a ban on the use of ephedra. The ephedra question – does it hurt or help athletes – has been tossed around in the past few years. David Ginsberg of the AP writes that the recent death of Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler has pushed the controversy back onto the front pages again as Dr. Joshua Perper has linked Bechler's sudden death to a diet supplement that contains ephedra. Of course the maker of the supplement (of Xenadrine RFA-1), Cytodyne Technologies of Manasquan, N.J., is protesting the link of their product to the death of Bechler. In USA Today it was noted that the Food and Drug Administration says it is considering taking action on ephedra products, including the possibility of banning them. A ban is ''something we definitely are considering,'' FDA commissioner Mark McClellan said Wednesday. According to the USA Today article, Consumers spent $1.3 billion on ephedra products last year, and the supplements have been linked to 88 deaths and 1,500 reports of health problems, including stroke, heart attack and seizures, although the reports do not prove cause and effect, the FDA said. Eddie Pells of the AP has written that Shortly after Vikings lineman Korey Stringer's heatstroke death in 2001, the NFL banned ephedra, saying it could interfere with the body's ability to regulate heat. (A supplement containing ephedra was found in Stringer's locker, although there's no evidence it caused his death.) The question, does ephedra harm the body, is effectively answered by the FDA, who notes the 88 deaths from the supplement, and the 1,500 reports of health problems. Although ephedra does not cause health problems for every person who takes it (as millions buy the product each year), it poses a serious risk for athletes who are in the heart of a hard workout. Heatstroke is a common link with ephedra and it is not wise to imbibe this substance when an athlete is going to be pushing his or her physique to the limit. At the point where the body is really drawing upon its reserves to keep going at the top level required, any little push the wrong way can have disastrous consequences. The human heart is not a vessel to fool around with. For the athlete who is working out in the heat or at extreme levels of exertion, it just isn’t wise to take the ephedra risk. About the author: I currently have 12 books selling in major bookstores and write for major magazines such as Physical and FitnessRX. Email Dwayne Hines: dhines@3dinet.com ------------ Comment on this column in the forum. ------------ |
||||||
|
|
|||||||
|
