This Just in from Dr. Howard W. Fisher, world renown anti-aging specialist, author of 16 books including ‘MORINGA OLIFERA- Magic, Myth, Or Miracle’ at www.themoringabook.com, I highly recommend!
~ Uncle Russ
‘Desert Tea, Containing Natural Ephedra, in Zija®’S XM3 Sports Drink, Or AM Capsule Formulations’ by Dr. Howard W. Fisher
Lately, I have received questions regarding the listing of ‘Ephedra’, as a component in two of the Zija product formulations.
Ephedrine (the drug) and ephedra are vastly different.
Let’s begin with the fact that herbal Ephedra was never banned.
Ephedrine alkaloids were banned.
Ephedrine is the active ingredient in some Ephedra, and Ephedrine alkaloids are the synthetic super concentrated version of Ephedra.
The FDA has stated that the ban is still in effect for higher doses (above 10mg) of “ephedrine” products.
And that the FDA is considering its options “with respect to next steps”.
There is a whole lot of controversy surrounding Ephedra, because it has been confused and misrepresented by those who are confused about what it is and is not.
Ephedra is a natural herb, which is perfectly safe when used in quantities that meet US mega-dosing laws, and it has been used in Asian cultures for thousands of years for its health benefits. It is a broncho-dilator (the actual herb Ephedra not the drug) and is one of the most widely used and effective treatments for asthma or breathing issues.
Do you really think Asian cultures would use something for thousands of years if it was dangerous? Let’s give credit where credit is due.
Many people misuse of the word ‘Ephedra’ when they mean the synthetic ephedrine, and all of the negative associations of Ephedrine alkaloids, that have been transferred to the natural herb Ephedra, including a number of deaths caused by the synthetic Ephedrine alkaloids; not Ephedra.
This is both the reason, and the method, on how Ephedra has become demonized, and been given the negative connotation.
Pseudo Ephedrine HCL is found in nearly every over the counter cold and decongestant sinus medication.
Pseudo Ephedrine, like Ephedrine alkaloids, is a chemically altered form of Ephedra.
Most of these over the counter medications have many times the content of concentrated ephedrine alkaloids, as compared to weight loss and other nutritional supplements – most of which contain the natural form of Ephedra.
In fact, most medications contain far more Pseudo Ephedrine in 2 Pills, because of its concentrated form, than an entire week’s worth of nutritional supplements, which contain the natural safe Ephedra.
Dr. Linda Page, N.D., Ph.D., has been a Classical Herbalist for almost 30 years, and has formulated over 250 effective whole herb combinations, many of them containing Ephedra.
Dr. Page writes:
“I am continually distressed about ephedra’s misuse and abuse, most importantly the isolated component of ephedra, ephedrine. If herbalists and formulators lose the ability to use safe ephedra, we are losing one of the best broncho-dilators from the plant kingdom, that is extremely valuable when used for asthma and allergies. What then would people have to choose from to alleviate their symptoms? Drugs (which are harmful) of course”.
So what’s the difference between ephedra and ephedrine? Dr. Page explains that: “in a whole herb formulation containing Ephedra, there may be up to 50 mg of Ephedra, containing only HALF a milligram of ephedrine. But the products that isolate ephedrine may deliver up to 20 mg of ephedrine – a full 40 times as much as the natural Ephedra!”.
Ephedra Nevadensis, (desert tea), is a type of plant found predominately in the Southwest region of the United States.
Contrary to popular belief, Ephedra Nevadensis does not contain much, if any, ephedrine, a substance that may help certain people lose weight, the Office of Dietary Supplements explains. Use of Ephedra Nevadensis may have medicinal benefits such as clearing toxins or excess fluids from the body.
The real issue is the addition or use of synthetic and harmful alkaloids; which Ephedra Nevadansus IS NOT!
Fake/Synthetic Ephedra or Ephedrine are banned, and have these harmful, if not deadly, alkaloids, in 9 forms!
Results of controlled trials show that the use of synthetic ephedrine is associated with 2-3 times the risk of nausea, vomiting, anxiety, and change in mood, autonomic hyperactivity, and palpitations compared with placebo. This is not the case with Ephedra Nevandensis!
Zija®’s Ephedra Nevadansus is also approved for safe use, as can be seen on letters on www.drinklifein.com, and merely a dilator to improve breathing, and at only tiny amounts per serving in the XM-AM Capsules, or XM3® sports drink.
THERE IS NO ADVERSE OR HARMFUL ISSUE WHATSOEVER WITH ANY ZIJA® PRODUCTS AND EPHEDRA NEVADANSIS USE!
