USE
OF EPHEDRA DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS BY ATHLETES
Statement
from The Ephedra Education Council
Washington,
DC (October 2, 2001) �
"In response to recent media coverage regarding the use of
Ephedra dietary supplements by athletes, the Ephedra Education
Council (EEC) released the following statement today:
Recent
media coverage may be confusing the public on the safety,
effectiveness and the appropriate use of Ephedra dietary supplements.
It is important to remember that conservative estimates indicate
that over three billion servings of Ephedra products are consumed
each year. Yet, with consumption on the rise, the number of
reports of possible adverse events has remained very low.
In addition, scientific and medical evidence collected with
respect to Ephedra has found that the supplements are safe
and effective.
The
EEC supports the use of Ephedra supplements for weight loss
and in conjunction with proper nutrition and exercise that
is appropriate to the physical condition of the individual.
Ephedra supplements promote increased health and wellness
by effectively helping people to lose excess weight, which
is well known to pose serious health risks. The EEC urges
anyone using Ephedra supplements to read and follow the warnings
contained on product labels prior to use. The EEC further
believes that before individuals engage in an exercise program,
regardless of whether or not they are taking a dietary supplement,
they should first consult with a health or exercise professional.
It is important to remember that there is no evidence that
Ephedra dietary supplements played a role in the recent training
related tragedies. Professional trainers, coaches and athletes,
must take into account an athlete's physical condition, the
environment and the intensity of the athlete's training. They
should also consider such important elements as proper nutrition
and hydration. Anyone using dietary supplements, including
athletes, must read, understand and follow the warnings contained
on product labels. Further, the EEC does not endorse the use
of Ephedra dietary supplements by athletes to attempt to gain
an unfair competitive advantage. No athlete in a competitive
environment should take any product for the sole purpose of
attempting to temporarily overcome the individual's normal
physical limitations. The EEC urges trainers and coaches to
communicate this message to their athletes. Additionally,
the EEC does not endorse use of these products by anyone under
the age of 18.
Responsible
industry will continue to work with other organizations and
groups to ensure that they adopt its policies for the safe
and beneficial use of Ephedra supplements. We also stand behind
the scientific and medical evidence collected in relationship
to Ephedra over the last several years. For example, research
conducted at the prestigious Harvard and Columbia Universities,
and recently published in abstract form in the FASEB Journal
and Obesity Research, showed that dietary supplements containing
Ephedra are safe and effective as an aid to weight loss, and
have no clinically significant effects on heart function and
blood pressure at recommended servings. The data from the
Harvard and Columbia study also confirm the results of numerous
other clinical studies, including a separate, short-term study
conducted by some of the same Harvard and Columbia researchers
and recently published in the International Journal of Obesity.
In addition, a report in December of last year from Cantox
Health Sciences International, an internationally known and
respected scientific research organization, analyzed over
19 clinical studies and numerous scientific articles about
Ephedra and its chemistry. The analysis showed that Ephedra
products, when consumed according to voluntary standards set
by industry and codified as law in several states, are safe."
###
The
Ephedra Education Council 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, logon to
www.EphedraFacts.com.
