China

Ephedrine’s Use and Effectiveness as a Weight Loss Supplement

Posted on by blogger

Can I really lose weight by using ephedrine products? Ma Huang (Ephedrine) has been shown to increase the effectiveness of thermogenesis (fat burning) in the body. It contributes to the release and blocks the re-uptake of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. This gives norepinephrine the ability to continuously stimulate receptors in your body, causing fat cell “flood gates” to open and facilitate fat loss resulting in weight loss.

Not only does ephedrine increase the rate at which fat is lost, it preserves muscle at the same time, making it an ideal dieting aid for athletes. The most comprehensive look at ephedrine for weight loss is a recent meta-analysis published in The Journal of the American Medical Association. This meta-analysis was done by the request of the US Department of Health and Human Services. It reviewed 44 controlled trials on the use of ephedrine for weight loss. It found that on average, it increased weight loss 1.3 lbs. per month more than placebo. However, combinations of ephedrine or ephedra with caffeine or herbs containing caffeine resulted in an average weight loss of 2.2 lbs. per month. Through nutrient repartitioning, ephedrine promotes fat loss while preserving fat-free mass.

One of the reasons why it is such a powerful weight loss agent is that it operates through a variety of mechanisms, including increasing levels of norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine, and stimulating both alpha and beta adrenoreceptors. It (through facilitating the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline) stimulates the alpha(1)-adrenoreceptor subtype, which is known to induce hypophagia (appetite suppression). It is estimated that appetite supression accounts for 75-80% of the weight loss with ephedrine.

What is Ephedrine? Ma Huang (Ephedrine) is known as one of the world’s oldest medicines. Ma Huang (Ephedrine) is a member of the family of herbs known as the Ephedraceae. Ma Huang is a shrub-like plant found in desert regions throughout the world. It is distributed from northern China to Inner Mongolia. The dried green stems of the three Asian species (Ephedra sinica, Ephedra intermedia, Ephedra equisetina) are used medicinally. The North American species of ephedra, sometimes called Desert Tea or Mormon Tea, does not appear to contain the active ingredients of its Asian ephedra counterparts.

Ephedrine is a naturally occuring central nervous system stimulant obtained from the plant Ephedra equisetina. Ephedrine is produced by chemical synthesis, the synthetic product being marketed in the form of its salt, ephedrine sulfate; it occurs as a white crystalline powder with a bitter taste, soluble in water and very soluble in alcohol. Ephedrine’s peripheral stimulant actions are similar to but less powerful than those of epinephrine (also called adrenaline), a hormone produced in the body by the adrenal glands.

What is Ephedrine used for? Ephedrine has been used in China for more than 5,000 years to treat symptoms of asthma and upper respiratory infections. It has also been used in the treatment of headaches, fevers, colds, and hay fever. Today, compounds derived from this herb are commonly found in many over-the-counter (OTC) cold and allergy medications. Ma Huang is also found in some weight loss and energy products. For dieters, Ephedrine suppresses the appetite and stimulates metabolism through a process known as thermogenesis. Recently, Ma Huang has been the subject of scientific research for obesity because of this thermogenic fat-burning effect. It is used to increase heart rate, blood pressure and performance. This is normally released by your body under stress to enhance sports performance.

Acupuncture Weight Loss More Than Just Needles

Posted on by blogger

Sometimes it’s it can be difficult for people of another culture to understand the workings of ancient Chinese traditional and alternative health treatments.

Acupuncture weight loss is such a treatment, that is often misunderstood as it’s often hard to understand how the process of sticking needles into the body can help or even cause weight loss.

Scepticism very often comes from the fact that we’re not well informed or not aware of all the elements involved in these ancient treatments – like the acupuncture weight loss treatment.

Acupuncture weight loss comes from the old Chinese practice of acupuncture. While acupuncture weight loss has been around for almost as long as acupuncture itself, the treatment became popular around 2003.

Staggering reports of acupuncture weight loss statistics in China were conveyed through the media. In a world where weight loss is a major issue for so many people, the news was greeted with a great deal of interest and scepticism.

At that time it was reported by the Chinese that acupuncture weight loss was helping a large number of people lose on average between twenty and thirty pounds. There have been cases where people have lost huge amounts of weight – although this is an exception.

The success rate percentage was nothing less than fantastic. Acupuncture weight loss specialists in China claimed that four out of five people that had gone through the treatment were losing weight.

It wasn’t long before acupuncture weight loss centers began picking up on this success and clinics specifically for this process began opening in major cities around the world.

The main goal of the acupuncture weight loss treatment is to stimulate the patient’s digestive system. While acupuncture weight loss uses acupuncture as the main foundation of this process, it always combined with a herb process as well.

The herbs used in an acupuncture weight loss process, balance the digestive system, reducing the appetite and improving the patient’s metabolism. All of these processes are vitally important in a successful acupuncture weight loss plan.

It is also important to note that most reputable clinics using herbs as a part of their acupuncture weight loss process are using pharmaceutical herbs.

Acupuncture weight loss clinics also use methods such as light exercise, Shaitsu massage, breathing lessons and information on body balance and flexibility as essential elements of a fully rounded acupuncture weight loss process.

Acupuncture weight loss is not an instant weight loss solution, it is however, more of a gradual approach that is focused on turning the body and mind into a healthy and balanced whole.

The acupuncture weight loss process is one of discomfort, on the contrary, while some of the acupuncture weight loss methods are active, others such as Aroma wraps and Shiatsu massage are considered more on the wellness and wellbeing side of the acupuncture weight loss methodology.

So now you hopefully have a different picture of what’s involved in an acupuncture weight loss process. You may even be tempted to try an acupuncture weight loss process yourself.