What's New
NO CONCLUSIONS ABOUT EPHEDRA'S SAFETY POSSIBLE FROM NEW COMMUNICATIONS, REVIEWING DOCTOR STATES
EPHEDRA AER EXPERT STEVEN KARCH, MD RELEASES
ANALYSIS OF NEW COMMUNICATIONS
WASHINGTON (August 22, 2002) - Dr. Steven Karch, one of the
foremost medical authorities on ephedra adverse event reports, released
an analysis of the new health communications on ephedra and called
the rush to judgment on its safety "unfounded." Dr.
Karch, a cardiac pathologist and medical examiner, has recently
reviewed the HealthLine communications released by Metabolife, a
leading manufacturer of ephedra dietary supplements.
"The assumption these new reports provide any scientific basis
regarding the safety of Ephedra is unfounded," stated Dr.
Steven Karch. "The data from the reports is absolutely inconclusive
and provides no evidence that the use of Metabolife 356 is associated
with any significant health risks."
According to Dr. Karch's analysis, the HealthLine logged approximately
12,685 pages of contact records from 1997 to September 2001 but
only approximately 89 call reports alleged a significant side effect.
This represents less than 1 percent of the total contact records
made to the HealthLine.
After reviewing the recently released health communications, Dr.
Karch states in his analysis, "the only reasonable conclusions
are that (1) the data contained in these records is insufficient
to demonstrate any pattern of significant side effects resulting
from the use of Metabolife's 356 product; (2) the HealthLine
records contain no data suggesting any reason to suppose that use
of this product, in recommended doses, poses any significant health
or safety hazards; and, (3) safety assessments need to be based
on controlled clinical trials, not on the sort of insubstantial
information contained in these contact records."
For a copy of Dr. Karch's analysis, you can visit www.EphedraFacts.com.
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About Steven Karch, MD
Dr. Steven Karch is a cardiac pathologist and medical
examiner from San Francisco with specific expertise in the cardiac
toxicity of catecholamines, including ephedrine and ephedrine alkaloids
derived from Ephedra. He has reviewed the recently released health
communications by Metabolife as well as reviewed all reports of
serious cardiac events, and the published literature relevant to
Ephedra and its effects on the heart from previously released AERs.
About the Ephedra Education Council
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, logon to www.EphedraFacts.com.
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