Ephedra Weight Loss is a Start

Ephedra is available again and when used as directed, can be a significant part of your overall program to reduce your stomach size. Millions will tell you that ephedra products are the best way they have found to reduce caloric intake. Common sense tells you that when you reduce the calories you consume, you will lose weight. But dieting to lose weight is not the end of the story.

Breaking News: You Must Reduce Fat Cell Size for Optimal Health

Reducing the size of stomach fat cells, a risk factor for diabetes and heart disease, takes more than cutting calories according to new research from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Early results from their five-year study show that exercise should be added to the equation. This study was reported in the August issue of the International Journal of Obesity.  

Abdominal or tummy fat is associated with metabolic syndrome x. This is a name given a group of symptoms that increases the risk for heart disease and diabetes. Syndrome X is diagnosed when someone has at least three of the following characteristics: 

• abdominal obesity,
• high triglycerides,
• low levels of high-density ("good") cholesterol,
• high blood pressure
• and increased levels of sugar in the blood.

Breakthrough research now examines a risk factor that had not been considered for Metabolic Syndrome X: the size of subcutaneous fat cells (those fat cells just under the surface of the skin).

"The size of these fat cells predicts type 2 diabetes, independent of whether the patient is obese," said the lead researcher said.

Add Walking to Ephedra Supplement

Earlier studies had shown that exercise can reduce fat cell size, but it is not known if the intensity of exercise matters during dietary weight loss. In this study, the diet-alone group had no changes in abdominal fat cell size. However, both exercise groups had decreases of about 18 percent in the size of their abdominal fat cells, even those that just walked at about 1 to 2 miles per hour on a treadmill for 50 minutes three times a week. Another group also walked three times a week, but at 3.5 to 4 miles per hour for 30 minutes. Both exercise groups burned 400 calories each week through walking.

The results showed that all groups lowered their fat mass, body weight (by 19 to 23 pounds), percent fat, and waist and hip girths (by 3 to 4 inches in hips and 4 inches in waists) to a similar degree.

The diet-alone, no exercise group had no changes in abdominal fat cell size. However, both exercise groups had decreases of about 18 percent in the size of their abdominal (tummy) fat cells.

The makers of Metabadrine with ephedra feel it is important that you know this information: weight loss is not enough. Too many in this industry just want you to buy their diet pills. Many will lose weight with the pills alone, but how healthy will they be? How quickly will the weight come back?

Ephedra was found in Xenadrine, Hydroxycuts, Super Diet Max, Metabolife and Herbalife, among others. Most of the companies that made these products have been driven out of making ephedra products for weight loss. Many have gone bankrupt over questionable lawsuits.

When ephedra is combined with caffeine, ephedra is supposed to suppress your appetite and stimulate your metabolism. The new recommendation is just 10 mg per day.  Ephedra may increase risk of heart attack, seizure, stroke and sudden death when not taken as directed.