FAQ Index:
What is Ephedra?
What is Ephedra Sinica?
What is Ma Huang?
What is Ephedra Viridis?
What is Ephedrine?
What Are Ephedrine Alkaloids?
Is Ephedra Safe?
Is Ephedra Effective for Weight Loss?
How much Ephedrine should I use for fat loss?
Can I use Ephedrine/Ephedra if taking medications?
Which supplements would you recommend in addition to the Ephedrine/Ephedra?
What is the difference between Ephedrine sulfate and Ephedrine HCL?
Can I take Ephedrine/Ephedra with other supplements?
How do I take Ephedra/Ephedrine in relation to meals?

What Are Ephedrine Alkaloids?

Ephedrine alkaloids are chemical compounds structurally related to amphetamines, found in the stems and leaves of Ephedra sinica together with tannins and other constituents.

Ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, norephedrine, norpseudoephedrine, methylephedrine and methylpseudoephedrine represent up to 2.5% of all the active principles in this evergreen plant, the first two compounds accounting between 30% and 90% of the total alkaloid content.

Both ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are used in over the counter asthma medications and nasal decongestants because they act like bronchodilators, temporary enlarging the bronchial passageways and easing breathing difficulties. Also, the two ephedrine alkaloids are included in weight-loss products because they stimulate thermogenesis and fat-burning processes.

However, the compounds used in dietary supplements are different from pure synthetic ephedrine as they also contain less effective alkaloids that slow the absorption and diminish the stimulant action of pure ephedrine. Thus, drugs and dieting products based on these alkaloids are safer when consumed appropriately.

Most weight-loss supplements contain up to 8% ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and other similar compounds, the current standards allowing a maximum of 25 mg of ephedrine derivatives per serving respectively 100 mg per day. These limits and doses were established based on numerous clinical studies supporting the safety of Ephedra and its components.

In what concerns bronchodilators and asthma remedies, the FDA approved a daily dose of up to 150 mg of ephedrine, taken in 6 servings and a maximum daily dose of 250 mg for pseudoephedrine.

Initially extracted from the Ma Huang plant, these ephedrine alkaloids are currently chemically synthesized and considered just as safe as caffeinated beverages when consumed according to labels and in moderate amounts, by healthy individuals.