Washington,
DC (March 30, 2000)---Ephedra, contained in billions of
servings of herbal dietary supplements since 1995, is safe
when consumed as the label directs, according to a panel of
experts who have extensively reviewed the scientific evidence.
On Friday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected
to release approximately 70 new reports it has received over
three years from consumers claiming adverse events related
to Ephedra consumption.
"These
reports must be carefully analyzed, but it is encouraging
that the incidence of reported problems is declining while
the level of use is increasing," said Dr. John N. Hathcock,
director of nutritional and regulatory science for the Council
for Responsible Nutrition. He added that if the flawed reports
are eliminated, it is not clear there will be any credible
evidence left that Ephedra is unsafe when used according to
label directions.
Dr. Theodore
M. Farber has spent more time than any expert analyzing what
are called adverse event reports (AERs). "The previous AERs
and other research do not create a compelling scientific case
for the FDA to rule that Ephedra is unsafe," he said. "Preliminary
evaluation of the new reports do not change our current scientific
assessment."
Ephedra,
also known as ma huang, is a Chinese herb used for 5,000 years
and is now found in dietary supplements in the U.S. In 1997,
the FDA proposed a rule that would amount to a ban of these
products from the market. After a congressional inquiry and
criticism by the General Accounting Office and others, it
backed away from its proposed consumption restrictions last
month. Millions of Americans are now using products containing
Ephedra, primarily for increased energy and as an aid to weight
loss.
"Excess
weight is a serious and growing problem, with 280,000 deaths
attributable to obesity each year," according to Dr. Norbert
Page. "Any potential risks with any consumer products must
be measured against benefits and supported by solid scientific
evidence before beneficial products are denied to people seeking
and needing healthier lifestyles."
The experts
spoke today at a National Press Club briefing sponsored by
the Ephedra Education Council (EEC) and the Council for Responsible
Nutrition (CRN). The EEC is a new public education arm supported
by members of the American Herbal Products Association. The
CRN, founded in 1973, represents approximately 100 companies
in the dietary supplement industry. For more information on
Ephedra, logon to www.EphedraFacts.com.
