Note: Ephedra was banned on April 12, 2004 by the U.S. Federal Government.

WASHINGTON, May 2, 2002 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Overweight men and women seeking healthier lifestyles through proper nutrition, exercise, and use of herbal supplements just received good news about dietary supplements containing Ephedra.

The most comprehensive study on Ephedra to date, conducted by researchers at the prestigious Harvard and Columbia Universities, confirms the safety and benefits of Ephedra dietary supplements in healthy Americans when used as directed.

The study reiterates the need for appropriate serving limits, warnings, and precautions for Ephedra dietary supplements that responsible industry manufacturers and distributors are using and advocating.

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Doctors Boozer and Daly concluded in their published study that "...herbal ephedrine/caffeine herbal supplements, when used as directed by healthy overweight men and women, in combination with healthy diet and exercise habits, may be beneficial for weight reduction without significantly increased risk of adverse events."

The new study on Ephedra safety and effectiveness is published in the May issue of The International Journal of Obesity, a respected British medical journal. Study authors, Dr. Boozer and Dr. Patricia Daly (formerly from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School), tested 167 subjects in a double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial.

Participants took an herbal combination of Ma Huang (Ephedra) and Kola Nut (a source of caffeine) at a daily serving level of 90/192 mg (ephedrine alkaloids/caffeine, two tablets, three times a day) for a period of six months and were counseled on proper nutrition and exercise.

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The study further concluded that "extrapolation of the present findings to usage by individuals with medical complications (diabetes, heart disease, etc.) is unwarranted and usage by such individuals is contra-indicated on labels of commercial products."

"Losing 11 to 12 pounds, as this study accomplished, can have a dramatic effect on reducing the serious health risks of being overweight. This new study is important not only because it showed increased weight loss over diet and exercise alone, but because its results are consistent with those of previous studies.

Beneficial effects on body composition and cholesterol levels were produced without causing significant adverse events. This study helps confirm that otherwise healthy Americans have choices to help them lose weight," concluded Steven Dentali, Ph.D., Vice President for Scientific & Technical Affairs, American Herbal Products Association (AHPA).

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The Ephedra Education Council (EEC) is supported primarily by members of the Ephedra Committee of the American Herbal Products Association, a recognized leader in promoting the safe and responsible marketing of dietary supplements.

The Council provides factual information to the media and public about dietary supplements containing Ephedra. For more information, visit EphedraFacts.com.

Source: http://www.usnewswire.com/

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