Chinese ephedra (ma huang) comes from the dry herbaceous stems of a primitive family of plants known as ephedracae. Three species of ephedra are grown in China and recognized in the pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic Republic of China and the Chinese material Medica. This herb is one of the oldest and most widely used Chinese herbs. M Huang has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine as a primary component of multi herb formulas that are prescribed to treat bronchial asthma, cold and flu, coughing, and wheezing, fever, chills, lack of perspiration, headache, and nasal congestion. It has, therefore, been no secret to the Chinese that there are a diversity of significant benefits to be derived from the other approximately 99% of ephedra plant that does not contain ephedrine alkaloids. Thanks to modern science and proprietary nutraceutical know how, Hi Tech has now mastered the specifics of these beneficial ephedra constituents, which have been isolated, extracted, and standardized to create Hi-Tech's Thermo-Z brand of ephedra extract for its remarkable benefits in weight loss dietary supplements. Ephedra + Caffeine: The Holy Grail of Weight Loss The weight loss benefits of ephedra have been known for centuries. In fact, studies show that ephedra + caffeine can more than double the rate of weight loss compared to a placebo. Recent developments in the field of weight management have demonstrated the efficacy of using pharmacological agents, both instead of and in addition to, diet and exercises. Specifically, many studies have focused on the effects of increasing sympathetic nervous system stimulation in order to increase basal metabolic rates, thereby providing a long term therapeutic option for thermo genesis. Because low metabolic rate is a characteristic of being overweight, and sympathetic activity has been shown to increase this metabolic rate, a role for sympathetic stimulation in the field of weight loss has a well established physiological rationale. Unfortunately, however, the economic advantages of synthesizing and marketing these treatments have rapidly overshadowed the need for adequate research to assess their efficacy and safety. Most of the early investigations on the use of ephedra, caffeine, and aspirin (ECA) combinations concentrated on the effects of ephedra and caffeine stimulate weight loss by increasing the sympathetic nervous system. Both ephedra and caffeine stimulate weight loss by increasing the sympathetic tone of various resting tissue beds, notably fat. It has been shown that both ephedra and caffeine (lesser degree) are capable of mimicking a sympathetic response when given alone. However, when given in combination, there is a synergistic increase in the level of thermogenesis, such that the stimulated levels are greater than the added sum of the separate effects of caffeine and ephedra given alone. The exact mechanisms of this enhanced action are still being researched. Copyright (c) 2007 Charles Carter
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