Bodybuilding Wizard

    Subscribe to Updates

    Join our mailing list to receive the latest updates from our team.

    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Trending
    • TRX Inverted Row Exercise Guide
    • Smith Machine Hex Press Exercise
    • In-Depth Review: Micronized Creatine Powder by Optimum Nutrition
    • Gold Standard Plant Pre-Workout: The First Vegan Pre-Workout From Optimum Nutrition
    • In-Depth Review: Trans4orm Fat Burner by Evlution Nutrition
    • How Can Yoga Take Your Bodybuilding Goals to the Next Level and Vice-Versa?
    • What Makes Burn-XT Thermogenic Fat Burner Stand Out From the Crowd?
    • Smart Ways To Put A Stop To Emotional Eating For Good
    RSS Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube Pinterest Instagram
    Bodybuilding Wizard
    Subscribe
    • Home
    • Training
      • Weight training basics
      • Advanced bodybuilding
      • Workout programs
      • Home weight training programs
      • Cardio workout
      • Bodybuilding glossary
      • Exercise equipment
      • Weight training accessories
      • Weight lifting injuries
    • Exercises
      • Chest exercises
        • Middle chest exercises
        • Upper chest exercises
        • Lower chest exercises
      • Back exercises
        • Middle back (latissimus dorsi)
        • Upper back (trapezius)
        • Lower back (erector spinae)
      • Bicep exercises
      • Tricep exercises
      • Shoulder exercises
        • Front deltoid
        • Side deltoid
        • Rear deltoid
        • Rotator Cuff
      • Neck strengthening exercises
      • Quadricep exercises
      • Hamstring exercises
      • Calf exercises
      • Tibialis anterior exercises
      • Abdominal exercises
        • Upper abdominal exercises
        • Lower abdominal exercise
        • Oblique exercises
      • Core exercises
      • Forearm exercises
      • Glute & Hip exercises
      • Kettlebell exercises
      • Foam rolling & Stretching
      • Explosive (dynamic) lifts
    • Motivation
      • Videos
        • Motivational videos
        • Funny workout videos
      • Pictures
      • Quotes
      • Funny Fitness
      • Transformations
    • Diet
    • Supplements
    • Anatomy
    • FAQ
    • Forums
    Login
    Bodybuilding Wizard
    You are at:Home»Supplements»Ephedra, Ephedrine, and ECA Stack – Everything You Need to Know
    Ephedra, Ephedrine, and ECA Stack
    Ephedra, Ephedrine, and ECA Stack

    Ephedra, Ephedrine, and ECA Stack – Everything You Need to Know

    0
    By krunoslav on May 28, 2015 Supplements
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email Tumblr WhatsApp

    Ephedra Fat Burners (Ephedra-Containing Supplements)

    Ephedra, also known as ma huang, is probably one of the most widely recognized nutritional supplements used for weight loss. Because of several safety concerns—hypertension, arrhythmias, heart attack, stroke, and even death—the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) removed ephedra products from the U.S. market in 2004 because the risk of its use was deemed greater than its benefits for weight loss.

    What is Ephedra?

    Ephedra (also known as Ma Huang) is a plant and is the source for most ephedrine products. Ephedra is derived from a shrub that is native to China (Ephedra sinica) and has been used for more than 5000 years as a natural treatment for asthma and other conditions. The ephedrine alkaloids present in the plant contain sympathomimetic compounds [i.e., central nervous system (CNS) stimulants] and are a source of ephedrine and pseudophedrine, which are used in many decongestants and cold medicines.

    Ephedra vs. Ephedrine – What is the Difference?

    On a very basic level, ephedra is a plant. This is a medicinal shrub-like herb that actually grows in many different parts of the world. This is also called the Ephedra sinica or Ma Huang plant. Ephedrine is the main active and effective ingredient found within the Ephedra sinica plant. The ephedrine is really responsible for all of the fat-burning and weight loss benefits that have been associated with ephedra and ephedra – based supplements.

    ECA Stack (Ephedrine – Caffeine – Aspirin)

    What is stacking?

    Stacking is when two or more supplements are combined together in an effort to increase results. It’s a case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.

    What is ECA stack?

    In an effort to maximize fat burning, ephedrine has been used in combination with caffeine and aspirin, which is often referred to as an ECA stack. It is believed that when these three compounds are taken together (recommended ratio; 60 mg ephedrine, 200 mg caffeine, 300 mg aspirin), it results in an even greater thermogenic effect than that of ephedra alone and may be more effective for inducing weight loss.

    Claims

    Besides burning fat and increasing metabolism, the ECA stack preserves muscle tissue and suppresses the appetite. It is an ideal supplement for bodybuilders trying to get contest ready or just trying to get leaner. It can also improve athletic performance.

    Ephedra Fat Burners
    Ephedra Fat Burners

    Proven Performance Effects

    Ephedra reduces appetite and stimulates fat metabolism, making it very effective as weight-loss supplement. That is not open to debate.

    Ephedra has been touted as a powerful fat-loss supplement, with more than 50 studies of its effects on body fat loss. Ephedra causes an average of 1.0 kg of body fat loss per month compared with placebo. There is scientific evidence to suggest that the combination of ephedra with caffeine and/or aspirin (or their herbal constituents) may indeed be more effective for inducing weight loss than ephedra alone.

    No studies have shown that supplementation with ephedra improves strength, power, reaction time, speed, aerobic capacity, or anaerobic capacity, except for a few studies that combined ephedra and caffeine and found increased endurance.

    Mechanisn of Action  (Ephedrine as a Thermogenic Substance)

    So, in a nut shell, ephedrine is referred to as a beta-adrenergic agonist that works by mimicking the effects of the “fight or flight” hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine (i.e. adrenaline and noradrenaline).

    It works (primarily) through the process of heating up your body. This is called thermogenesis. When you take ephedrine or ephedra pills, it prompts your body to start converting more fat stores into heat. It only does this in a moderate way that makes it still relatively safe for the user. But as you start to reasonably heat up, you need to break down more fat and glucose to deliver it to your cells. In this regard, ephedrine can promote fat loss even in a largely sedentary individual who may not be exercising regularly during the week.

    A final way in which ephedrine is documented to work is by causing the user to eat less. This is again a noted effect that ephedrine shares in common with adrenalin. When adrenalin is released into your nervous system, it interferes with the neurotransmitters that can lead to over-eating. Studies have found that adrenalin suppresses your appetite by obstructing chemical transmissions that are sent by the stomach telling you to eat more.

    Ephedra, Ephedrine, and ECA Stack Side Effects

    Subjects consuming ephedra showed a wide variety of side effects:

    • heart palpitations
    • hypertension
    • cardiac arrhythmias
    • headaches
    • nervousness
    • anxiety
    • hyperthermia

    Most of these adverse effects happen with great frequency at higher doses. Side effects of ephedra were minimized when subjects consumed less than 60 mg/day, and the adverse effects stopped after subjects discontinued ephedra use.

    The FDA has reported 800 adverse incidents from ephedra use, although most of these events occurred when people consumed doses in excess of the recommended daily dose. There have been 284 serious adverse events, including 5 deaths, 5 heart attacks, 11 strokes, and 4 seizures.

    Because ephedrine stimulates the central nervous system as well as metabolism, it is very dangerous for people who have heart problems or high blood pressure. They should avoid any ephedra, ephedrine, and ECA stack based supplements.

    Fat Burning Supplements After 2004

    As of March 2004, ephedra – containing supplements were banned by the U.S. government. All companies marketing supplements based on the ECA stack either revised their formulas by excluding ephedrine and adding other ingredients or simply removed the supplement from their product lines.

    Other fat-burning supplements have arrived on the marketplace. Because fat loss is a big business, not only for bodybuilders but also for the general public, many supplement companies are striving to find a fat-loss supplement that will create the results that the ECA stack did.

    When the “ephedrine-free” hook is used, supplement companies just use an alternative stimulant source such as caffeine, caffeine-containing herbs or plants, synephrine, green tea, ginseng, or various combinations of such ingredients.

    Summing Up (Conclusion)

    As a supplement, ephedra has a positive effect on fat loss, but there is no evidence that it can improve athletic performance. Recommended dosages of ephedra are between 25 and 120 mg, but side effects increase when daily amounts exceed 60 mg. Severe adverse reactions occur at an even higher rate when athletes exceed the recognized upper limit.  As of March 2004, ephedra – containing supplements were banned by the U.S. government.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email WhatsApp
    krunoslav
    • Twitter

    Hey! My name is Kruno, and I'm the owner and author of Bodybuilding Wizard. I started this website back in late 2014, and it has been my pet project ever since. My goal is to help you learn proper weight training and nutrition principles so that you can get strong and build the physique of your dreams!

    Related Posts

    9.3

    In-Depth Review: Micronized Creatine Powder by Optimum Nutrition

    8.0

    Gold Standard Plant Pre-Workout: The First Vegan Pre-Workout From Optimum Nutrition

    6.3

    In-Depth Review: Trans4orm Fat Burner by Evlution Nutrition

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.

    WE ARE SOCIAL
    • Facebook 181
    • Twitter 473
    • YouTube 98
    • Instagram
    RECENT POSTS
    June 22, 2022

    TRX Inverted Row Exercise Guide

    June 20, 2022

    Smith Machine Hex Press Exercise

    9.3
    June 17, 2022

    In-Depth Review: Micronized Creatine Powder by Optimum Nutrition

    8.0
    June 14, 2022

    Gold Standard Plant Pre-Workout: The First Vegan Pre-Workout From Optimum Nutrition

    6.3
    May 29, 2022

    In-Depth Review: Trans4orm Fat Burner by Evlution Nutrition

    RECENT COMMENTS
    • Justin Dew on Designing your own home gym
    • krunoslav on Meet Your Muscles: How muscles are named?
    • Christina on Meet Your Muscles: How muscles are named?
    • jack on Types Of Whey Protein
    • igtropin on Stiff-Leg Deadlift Technique
    LATEST GALLERIES

    Subscribe to Updates

    Join our mailing list to receive the latest updates from our team.

    ABOUT
    ABOUT

    We are a group of bodybuilding enthusiasts and this is our effort to have all the details about bodybuilding at a single website. Bodybuilding Wizard will make your dream body your reality.

    We're social, connect with us:

    Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest YouTube
    POPULAR POSTS
    April 2, 2014

    Lying Leg Curl Exercise Guide

    February 18, 2019

    Meet Your Muscles: How muscles are named?

    March 30, 2014

    Workout Frequency

    BODYBUILDING WIZARD
    Bodybuilding Wizard Footer Logo
    Copyright © 2014-2021 BodybuildingWizard. All rights reserved. Powered by WordPress.
    • About
    • Privacy
    • Contact
    • Terms of Use
    • Friends
    • Advertising

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Sign In or Register

    Welcome Back!

    Login to your account below.

    Lost password?