Study Indicates Ephedra Is Safe and Effective for Weight Loss in Healthy Individuals
Golden CO, 13 May 2002

No Increased Adverse Effects Recorded in Long-Term Study

One of the strongest safety and efficacy clinical trials to date on herbal ephedra/caffeine -- conducted independently by investigators at Harvard, Columbia and other academic institutions -- revealed that those taking the herbal combination lost more body weight and body fat without an increase in significant adverse effects compared with the placebo group. The study will be published in the May issue of the International Journal of Obesity (Vol 26, pages 593-604).

"The results generated from the finest institutions in the country offer hard science facts to an otherwise hearsay industry," stated Christine Riggs, PhD, Director of Science, EAS, who sponsored the study in part with others. "Without a doubt, a significant benchmark has been achieved in demonstrating the safety of the ephedra/caffeine combination when used responsibly by consumers."

The six-month long-term randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human clinical trial used 167 patients who were healthy but overweight (with a body mass index of 25 to 40). Subjects were counseled to limit intake of dietary fat to 30 percent of calories, exercise moderately and were randomly assigned to receive either an herbal supplement or placebo.

Dr. Riggs noted that the researchers' advice on reducing dietary fat and exercising moderately was a wise and contributing factor for aiding in reductions in body weight and body mass. The ephedra/caffeine group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in body composition as well as blood lipids -- increased HDL and decreased LDL-in comparison to the control group.

"Conducted at elite research institutions, the study's results are very compelling and add more credibility to the safe use of herbal ephedra/caffeine," states Dr. Riggs. "There is no single magic bullet to weight management. Consumers who use our science-based thermogenic supplements should do so with a proper diet and exercise regimen."

Science, Toxicology & Technology (ST&T) Consultants, comprised of a group of prominent MDs, PhDs, toxicologists, and other physicians, scientists, regulators and safety engineers, worked in concert with the universities involved in the study. Other researchers (in addition to Harvard and Columbia) represented organizations such as St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, Vanderbilt, Beth Israel Medical Center and Cigna Health Care.

"ST&T believes this quality of study speaks well for those in clinical research who have taken on the challenge of this research," stated Michael Scott, ST&T. "In doing so, they have helped the public gain credible information about such products."

The study is available on the website of Science, Toxicology and Technology (www.toxinfo.com/).

EAS currently markets several ephedra- (also known as Ma Huang) based products as part of its weight management/energy thermogenic series, and contributed part of the funding of this study.

Source

EAS, via PR Newswire.