Find out how you can maximize your performance and efficiency in burning body fat while on a heavy diet. Ephedra is one of the most effective fat burners today. Although a huge number of experiments have already been carried out with this plant substance, it continues to be quite mysterious. There is a synthetic analogue of this substance - ephedrine. However, in the course of research it was found. That it is significantly inferior in effectiveness to ephedra. Today we intend to reveal the secrets about ephedra in bodybuilding.
What is ephedra: composition and action
Ephedra is one of the most effective thermogenics in use today. This substance is obtained from the mahuang plant, which is native to Asia, the United States and Europe. Ephedra contains five alkaloids. The most studied of these is pseudoephedrine, which is used today in the manufacture of a large number of drugs.
Ephedrine is made from plant materials and belongs to the group of beta-2-antagonists. But in the course of recent experiments, it was found that the substance is capable of acting on beta-3 receptors. As you know, this type of receptor is located on the surface of white adipose tissue cells. All substances that can act on these two types of receptors are powerful fat burners.
Differences Between Ephedra and Ephedrine - Half-Life
In some states, the sale of ephedrine is prohibited, while natural ephedra is sold legally. We have already said that ephedra is made from the mahuang plant. To make it easier for you to understand the difference between artificial and natural substances, you need to define the concept of "half-life".
This is the time it takes for the body to process half of the dose of the substance. For example, if the half-life is eight hours, then after each such period of time, the concentration of the substance will decrease by half.
The half-life of synthetic ephedrine is about six hours, which is 5.75. in the course of one of the studies, this indicator of ephedra was also established, amounting to 5.2 hours.
Effectiveness of Ephedrine Caffeine Blend
Today, many people use a mixture of caffeine and ephedra to fight fat. The most large-scale study of the effects of this mixture on the body lasted about six months and more than 160 people took part in it. They were all divided into two groups. Representatives of one of them were given a fat-burning drug, and the second group took a placebo.
All subjects used their usual diet, but limited their fat intake. They also hiked for half an hour three times a week. Some of the subjects wore devices that monitor blood pressure on a daily basis, and all participants in the study kept diaries in which various readings and sensations were recorded.
As a result, subjects who consumed caffeine with ephedra lost about five and a half kilos of body weight in six months. At the same time, the ratio of loss of fat mass in them was 11 to 1. These indicators are almost two times higher than the results of the placebo group. Also note that there were no differences in blood pressure.
We should also tell about the trials of one very popular drug in the United States, Metabolife, containing caffeine and ephedra. The study lasted two months and involved healthy men and women with overweight problems. There were over 60 participants at the start of the study, and 48 completed experiment.
All subjects used the same diet and exercise program. As a result, people who took the drug experienced significant weight loss, which was about 4 times more than those who used a placebo.
Also, there were no serious side effects. Most often, the subjects mentioned headaches and sleep disturbances in the first days of the experiment. It should be said that a lot of studies have been carried out on the effects of caffeine and ephedra on the body. All had excellent results and no serious side effects.
Of course, side effects take place. However, in the course of numerous experiments, it was found that a daily dose of 90 milligrams of ephedrine, divided into 3 doses, does not cause any negative effects. Side effects are possible when using a daily dose of more than 150 milligrams. Today, caffeine and ephedra are found in many weight loss supplements. Their effectiveness has been proven not only in clinical trials, but also in human use. When it comes to natural fat burners, the ephedra / caffeine blend is the most potent and effective.
For more information on ephedra and ephedrine, see this video:
