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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.end-of-story

 

   
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