Can we now get Ephedra based weight loss products?  You might have been asking this question or searching the internet to find out.  Well the answer is possibly yes, and probably no.

Ephedra history
Ephedra (Ma Huang) is an herb that was used for hundreds of years to treat asthma and other conditions.  When it was found to have the ability to increase metabolism, manufacturers began putting the herb into many weight loss products.  Ephedra was banned by the FDA in April of 2004 due to safety concerns and health risk.  The FDA final report in 2003 attributed five deaths to ephedra use..

Ban Reversed?

The ban was challenged by Utah-based Nutraceutical Corporation. They make an ephedra product with less than 10 mg of ephedra. The judge ruled, in accordance with the DSHEA, the FDA could not place the burden to prove safety on dietary supplement manufacturers as it does for drug and device makers.  On April 14, 2005, federal judge Tena Campbell of the Utah federal district court reversed the ban on ephedra for dosages of 10 mg or less.

What does this really mean?

• The ban is still in effect for  products with more than 10 mg of ephedra and only within Utah's Central Division district court jurisdiction.
• Can only be in single and daily doses of 10 mg or less
• Only sold in states that have not restricted the sale of Ephedra
• The National Nutritional Foods Association understands that no insurance companies are currently underwriting product liability coverage for either manufacturers or retailers who sell ephedra.
• Supply of ephedra is difficult since an embargo on imports remains in effect.  

Yes, companies can sell ephedra based products containing ephedra 10mg or less.  The question is does 10mg of ephedra has a good effect on weight loss?  From what we have seen in different studies, it does not. There are a few other things to think about concering this such as:

Where are these product manufacturers getting their ephedra since there is an embargo in effect?  Is a pure and processed correctly?  Does the company have product liability insurance?   Most often, if you call the company or manufacturer of the products you will not get answers to these questions.  These are all questions to consider when purchasing products.

New Concepts Product Choice

New Concepts chooses to promote products that are ephedra free for reasons listed above.  We select the products we promote from companies that we trust and that we have had personal experience with.  If you have specific questions about the products we carry, please do not hesitate to call:  1-888-439-3652.

Order your Ephedra Free diet drops today

For more information on the Ephedra issue visit:  http://www.nnfa.org

New Concepts Com, LLC is a member of the National Natural Foods Association

Statements made throughout this article regarding our products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Articles are provided for informational purposes only.