"Natural" Does Not Always Mean Healthy

Ephedra is a Chinese herb that is a common ingredient in over-the-counter weight-loss and dietary supplements. Because ephedra is an herb, it has not been subject to the same strict testing by the Food and Drug Administration that it would have been if it were a man-made drug. Companies selling ephedra have always claimed that it is safe, but a growing body of evidence suggests otherwise.

Hundreds of reports of adverse reactions suffered by otherwise healthy people who are taking products containing ephedra have led many people to question whether ephedra is as safe as its sellers make it out to be. Reports of heart trouble, strokes, and convulsions have led to calls for ephedra to be banned, and this outcry has been strengthened by an article in theNew England Journal of Medicine linking ephedra to similar injuries. Even Congress has gotten into the act, holding hearings on the question of whether ephedra is safe.

Although ephedra has not yet been subject to increased regulation, the day may yet come. If you suspect that you or a loved one have suffered from an ephedra-related injury, contact us. Remember, just because something is natural does not mean it is necessarily good for you.

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