by Three weight-loss trials used 40, 72 and 90 mg of ephedra alkaloids a day. Hellfire EPH 150 doesn’t list alkaloids. It lists 150 mg of ephedra extract from leaves, Thermo-Z brand, and 150 mg of caffeine anhydrous. Directions on the page: 1 capsule once daily. Total alkaloid content in ephedra can vary from 0.5% to 2.3%, says the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements.
How much ephedra did weight-loss studies use per day?
72 mg a day of ephedrine alkaloids, 240 mg of caffeine, 8 weeks. That was the first Boozer trial (International Journal of Obesity, 2001): a ma huang and guarana supplement, overweight men and women, 67 randomized, 35 on the herbal product and 32 on placebo, 24 in each group finishing.
The 2002 Boozer trial went 6 months with 167 people. Its ma huang and kola nut supplement was reported as 90/192 mg/day of ephedrine alkaloids and caffeine. 83 got it, 84 got placebo (International Journal of Obesity, 2002).
40 mg/day of ephedra alkaloids and 100 mg/day of caffeine, for 9 months. That was Hackman’s supplement, which also carried vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids. 61 premenopausal women with a BMI of 27 to 39 started and 41 finished (International Journal of Obesity, 2006).
Greenway reported per-dose amounts only: 24 mg of ephedra and 70 mg of herbal caffeine, 3 times a day for 12 weeks, with 40 people randomized to it or to placebo (Obesity Research, 2004).
What do ephedra extract labels list per serving?
Lipodrene lists 25 mg of ephedra extract and 100 mg of caffeine anhydrous per tablet. The page caps use at 4 tablets in 24 hours. Black Widow 25 mg: 25 mg of ephedra extract from leaves, 150 mg of caffeine, 1 capsule.
27 mg of ephedra extract and 200 mg of caffeine, per 2 caplets, on the Green Stinger label. Directions: 2 caplets, 2 times a day. Hydroxytrol has 50 mg of ephedra and 950 mg of guarana extract caffeine in 2 capsules. Directions: 2 capsules once a day with a meal. Yellow Bullet Xtreme lists 50 mg of ephedra extract and 250 mg of caffeine in 1 capsule. Its page says to take one as needed.
Why do ephedra dose numbers differ between studies and labels?
Alkaloid content and composition vary by species and growth conditions, says the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Its fact sheet lists 6 months as the longest published follow-up.
Greenway gave 24 mg of ephedra 3 times a day. Hellfire EPH 150 says 1 capsule once daily. Green Stinger says 2 caplets, 2 times a day. Yellow Bullet Xtreme says take one as needed.
How much caffeine goes with ephedra in the research and on labels?
Green Stinger’s 200 mg of caffeine comes out of a 300 mg TriENRG blend. The label sources it from kola nut extract, guarana extract and yerba mate. Hydroxytrol’s 950 mg comes from guarana extract.
What to check on a label
Trials: 40 to 90 mg of ephedra alkaloids a day. Labels above: 25 to 150 mg of ephedra extract, listed as extract and not as alkaloids. The NIH puts alkaloid content at 0.5% to 2.3%.
Each product above has its Supplement Facts panel on its page at shop.liveleantoday.com. Extract, caffeine and capsules per serving are on that panel.
