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Taking a weight loss product containing ephedra can be very risky. ephedra has been linked to serious side effects such as seizures, strokes, and even death. Fortunately, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken action and banned every weight loss product containing ephedra in the market starting April 2004.

What is ephedra?
Ephedra used to be a popular ingredient in dietary supplements and weight loss products. It comes from the plant ephedra sinica. It is also known as Ma Huang, and is used by the Chinese as a medicinal herb to treat respiratory illnesses like asthma, the common cold, and hay fever. ephedra also works as a powerful stimulant that directly affects the cardiovascular and the nervous systems.

ephedra also works as a thermogenic, which can cause your metabolism to increase since there is an increase in your body heat. This has made ephedra gain its popular reputation as a fat burner. Many people take a weight loss product containing ephedra together with caffeine and aspirin. Studies show that when taken with proper caution, it is very effective for short-term weight loss.

Known side effects
ephedra has been known to increase heart rate and constrict blood vessels, resulting in high blood pressure. A weight loss product containing ephedra may cause irritability, dizziness, trembling, nervousness, severe skin irritations, insomnia, dehydration, itchy skin and scalp, vomiting, profuse perspiration, headaches, hyperthermia, seizures, irregular heartbeat, stroke, heart attack, and even death.

Dosage
There is actually no standard requirement for the dosage of any weight loss product containing ephedra, mostly because they vary from brand to brand. Here is an example:
Dosage for Metabolife 356: 2 tablets for 2 to 3 times a day, an hour before meals, and on an empty stomach. It is highly advised not to take more than 8 tablets in a day.
Dosage for Ma Huang: Not more than 100mg a day and not more than 12 weeks. However, because of its serious side effects, it has been recommended that ma huang should be taken in doses not bigger than 8mg per serving every 6 hours, but not exceeding 24mg in a day.

Ma huang
Ma huang is classified as a fat burner and an appetite suppressant. It is also known as ephedrine, ephedra alkaloids, sea grape, ephedra, yellow horse, joint fir, Mormon tea, teamster's tea, sea grape, postillion, and squaw tea. Since it has not been formally evaluated by the fda for safety, purity and effectiveness, there are no manufacturing standards set for ma huang. That is you should consult your doctor before taking Ma huang or any supplements containing it.

Metabolife 356
Metabolife 356 is another example of a weight loss product containing ephedra. It contains a blend of ginger, Siberian ginseng, ma huang, guarana, spirulina, bovine complex, lecithin, chromium picolinate, vitamin E, magnesium, and several other herbs. Caffeine and ephedrine are the most active ingredients of Metabolife 356. They both work to produce more body heat to speed up your metabolism so you can burn more calories. Furthermore, it also works as an appetite suppressant, making you feel less hungry and limiting your food intake.

No precautions
ephedra is not a regulated drug, and so many manufacturers are making false claims. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sent letters to a number of online manufacturers because many of them lack sufficient warnings. The label should tell the user to stop taking the drug upon experiencing side effects such as irregular or rapid heartbeat, severe headache, chest pains, shortness of breath, insomnia, dizziness, nausea, and fainting spells.

Is ephedra legal?
The fda has reviewed the data on ephedra's safety, effectiveness, side effects, pharmacology, and its RAND Corporation report (which contains a review of published scientific literature on the safety and efficacy of ephedra). The fda considered several studies that confirm the side effects of ephedra on the circulatory system. On February 2003, they evaluated whether weight loss products containing ephedra pose a significant threat to a person's health.

ephedra and traditional medicine
The fda has prohibited the sale of any weight loss product containing ephedra in the United States. However, some medical conditions many call for the use of ephedra-containing drugs. Before taking any supplements, be sure to consult your doctor to see whether it will work for you.

Phillip England is a weight loss expert and Author of the popular report "The Ultimate Weight loss Secret". To receive your free information on the secret that doctors, and health companies either don't know, or don't want you to know, please see http://www.theultimateweightlosssecret.com/secret

posted by 83212  # 8:04 PM 0 comments

I love playing video games. I love it so much that I even have two video games systems at home an x box and a Playstation. I used to play with my Playstation most of the time because it had all the games that I love to play. But recently Ive noticed that I now have an extensive collection of x box games and my Playstation has been collecting dust in a corner.

It all began a year ago when I saw the x box in my neighbors multi family yard sale. He wanted to get rid of it because his son has been spending all of his me on it and I was able to get for a reasonably low price. And since he also had lots of x box games to go with the system I was able to get them for a few bucks as well. I was able to get my favorite fighting games for a lot less money than of have I bought them from a video game store.

The x box game that Ive grown to really love is the Dance Dance Revolution. Its a new type of game that combines a workout with the normal gaming experience. Its a revolutionary video game that tries to accurately simulate dancing. At the time that I bought the game I had no idea that it would be challenging.

To my surprise it was quite difficult and I actually felt that I was really dancing as I played the game. Its amazing to play a game that stimulates your mind while giving you a cardio-vascular exercise.

X box games can cost quite a lot and I learned that it would be wise to rent a game from a video store to determine if its worth buying. However, Dance Dance revolution was the exception. Its the only game that was more convenient to buy than to having rent the game and the mat. The idea of using a mat that was used by other people seemed quite unhygienic.

X box games on ebay can also be bought for less money than those on video games stores so I go there to check out some games. The most economical way to get new games is to trade games with other x box gamers but you have to make sure than you ca get your games back. In recent months the only games I buy are the ones that Ill really like and of course, the exceptional Dance Dance Revolution.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning X box Games. Get more information by visiting http://www.xtraordinarysite.com/games/games/having-a-ball-with-x-box-games.html.

posted by 83212  # 3:40 PM 0 comments

Everyone knows that exercise is good for your health. Exercising during pregnancy can have additional benefits. Generally, exercise should be light, especially during the first few weeks of pregnancy while your body adjusts to the changes. Heavy exercise can divert blood flow from crucial areas and most women that exercise regularly should tone down their workouts during pregnancy.

Walking, swimming, and yoga are two popular exercise activities suitable for pregnant women. Other forms of exercise like weight lifting are okay too as long as it is not too strenuous. Most experts recommend exercising 3-4 times a week, unless a medical condition prevents it. If in doubt, always consult a physician first. Listed below are some of the top reasons for exercising during pregnancy.

1. exercise can reduce the length of labor and reduce recovery times. The right exercise routines will increase stamina needed for delivery.
2. Improve emotional health - exercise lowers stress and improves emotional health and can make it easier for the new mother to get through the experience of pregnancy.
3. exercise can help with weight management after the child is born. A common concern with most mothers is losing weight after pregnancy. Exercising during pregnancy can make postpartum weight loss easier.
4. exercise is good for your unborn baby. By keeping your body healthy, you are also helping out your baby.
5. Reduced pregnancy side effects - Symptoms like headaches, fatigue, swelling, and constipation are common in pregnant women. Exercising has been shown to reduce the occurence of these symptoms.
6. Decrease risk of premature birth - exercise has been shown in studies to decrease the risk of premature birth by about 50%.

Make sure to drink plenty of fluids before exercising, have a nutritious diet, and avoid over exertion. Also, listen to your body - if you start feeling sick or nauseous, then you should stop and rest.

about the Author - Criss White

Criss White is a professional web writer on baby and new mother topics for baby and pregnancy websites. For baby shower supplies, information, and more baby related articles by this author, visit My Baby Shower Favors and Babies and Showers.

Note: If you find this article useful, you may reprint it on your website, e-zine, or in your newsletter as long as the credits above remain in tact and the hyperlinks stay active.

posted by 83212  # 6:15 AM 0 comments