Cardiac Study Indicates Safety of Ephedra-Based Supplement
Miami
FL, 30 October 2002
Patients
in Endocrinologist's Peer-Reviewed Study Report Weight Loss and
No Side Effects
Amidst
mounting potential government regulations and newly-proposed state
laws regarding the heart-safety of hundreds of ephedra-based diet
products comes news in the current issue of the International
Journal of Obesity on an important clinical cardiac study involving
people taking America's number one selling, natural, herbal, ephedra-based
weight-loss product, Xenadrine RFA-1.
"Xenadrine
RFA-1 had no negative effects on heart functions in healthy obese
people involved in the study. And, within the confines of the study,
Xenadrine RFA-1 appears to be safe," says Chief Clinical Investigator,
Endocrinologist Diane Krieger, MD. Dr. Krieger is Medical Director
of Endocrinology, Nutrition and Diabetes, Miami Research Associates,
South Miami Hospital, University of Miami School of Medicine.
Dr.
Krieger's subjects were 11 men and 19 women ages 21 to 60. Half
of the study participants received RFA-1, and half received a sugar-based
placebo over 14 days -- a period considered scientifically sufficient
to study heart responses. The goal was to seek solid scientific
data on the effects of ephedra, focused on the impact, if any, on
the heart.
Says
Dr. Krieger: "We measured heart function in these patients by measuring
their blood pressures and heart rates. They were given cardiograms
and electro-cardiograms. Over the two-week period in the patients
we examined, we saw no differences between the two groups. So we
concluded in our study, that within the confines of what we did,
Xenadrine RFA-1 appeared safe over a two week period in our patient
population."
The
cardiac conclusions of the Florida-based study on the world's most
popular weight-loss product contradict allegations by ephedra opponents,
who claim that some ephedra products, especially synthetic ephedra
products, can trigger heart palpitations and what they term "adverse
events." The contentions are fueling a flurry of proposed anti-ephedra
laws in New York, Kansas and Nebraska. Legislative watchdog agencies
report similar proposed bills in most other states. California's
governor just signed a bill requiring special safety labeling on
ephedra products. Pennsylvania's governor vetoed a similar bill
in that state. However, the FDA has examined ephedra for a decade.
It reports no conclusive evidence that ephedra is unsafe.
In
addition to potential regulatory and legislative action, several
personal injury lawyers across the nation appear to be actively
encouraging lawsuits against some ephedra manufacturers. At the
same time, millions of Americans consume tens of millions of Xenadrine
RFA-1 capsules annually without side effects.
Dr.
Krieger warns that not all ephedra products are alike. Xenadrine
RFA-1 is made with natural, herbal ephedra, while many brands contain
questionable synthetic, unstable compounds. Dr. Krieger urges people
to read ingredients and purchase ephedra products from trusted manufacturers.
She adds that many "adverse events" might be caused by people failing
to follow dosage directions. Consumers often take more capsules
than directed and in so doing may face potential problems.
Ephedra
is a derivative of the Chinese root Ma Huang, a natural stimulant
and a primary ingredient in Xenadrine-RFA-1. Xenadrine RFA-1 is
a thermogenic, appetite-suppressing, fat-burning diet product that
increases metabolism. Since 1997 Xenadrine RFA-1 has helped millions
of Americans safely lose tons of weight each year. In addition,
Xenadrine RFA-1 has been the subject of seven other product-specific
clinical trials on humans. In each of these clinical studies, Xenadrine
RFA-1 has been shown to be safe and effective for weight loss.
About
Cytodyne Technologies
Cytodyne
Technologies, based in Manasquan NJ, supplies and distributes pharmaceutical-grade
supplements, including Xenadrine. Since its inception in 1997, Cytodyne
has placed a strong emphasis on research. The company's expert research
and development team works closely with top researchers and uses
cutting edge data to develop its supplements. Today Cytodyne is
one of the industry's largest sponsors of independent clinical research
on dietary supplements at universities throughout the world.
Source
Cytodyne
Technologies, via PR Newswire.
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