Caffeine-Herbal Ephedra Combination Alters The
Cardiovascular Response Prior To, During And Following Exercise
New study results
demonstrate why caffeine and ephedra may provide a “final boost”
April 9, 2003 (San Diego, CA) -- After Baltimore
Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler died during spring training earlier this year,
the spotlight again turned on the dietary supplement ephedra. The Chinese
herb, used for asthma in the 1960s, is attractive to athletes, because it
provides and energy “boost” during games, and offers pound-dropping
qualities (an attraction for Bechler, who was ten pounds overweight).
Ephedra has been linked to almost 100 deaths, among
them high school and college athletes who have collapsed during games or
practice. The supplement is banned from the National Football League (NFL),
National College Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Olympics, but not from
major league baseball. Even before this high profile death, ephedra was
viewed with caution. For example, even thought the supplement makes up less
than one percent of herbal supplement sales, the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) believes ephedra causes 64 percent of all reported side
effects from herbs.
Controversy and Confusion
The controversial herb could be found in the energy
supplement, now discontinued, called “Yellow Jackets.” These “energy
boosters” contained 520 mg of Ephedra Extract (supplying 25mg ephedrine
alkaloids), Kola Nut Extract (supplying 200mg caffeine alkaloids), White
Willow Bark, and Chromium Picolinate. The University of Memphis labeled
such combinations “deadly.” However, the International Journal of
Obesity stated in its May 2002 issue that “The combination of ephedra
and caffeine is safe and effective for weight loss.”
A New Study
Against this backdrop, a team of researchers set out to
examine how ephedra and coffee could impact on health. The authors of the
study “Caffeine-herbal Ephedra Combination Alters the Cardiovascular
Response Prior to, During, and Following Exercise,” are Tasha P. Ballard and
Matthew D. Vukovich, both from the South Dakota Health Promotion and
Research Program, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD. They will
present their findings at the upcoming meeting, Experimental Biology
2003, being co-sponsored by the American Physiological Society (APS).
More than 7500 scientists and researchers are expected to attend
the meeting, being held April 11-15, 2003, at the San Diego Convention
Center, San Diego, CA.
Methodology
Caffeine-naïve subjects (five men and five women) were
studied at rest, during exercise, and recovery after the ingestion of either
a placebo or 150mg caffeine/20mg ephedra. Key physiological measurements
(blood pressure, VO2, hypersensitive response) were made prior to, and 30
and 60 minutes following after the administration of supplements.
Results
Hypersensitive response was higher at 60 minutes rest
in caffeine/ephedra subjects and remained higher at 30 and 60 minutes of
exercise. Additionally, those taking the supplements registered higher
systolic blood pressure during rest. Mean arterial pressure also measured
higher in the caffeine/ephedra group.
Conclusions
Those ingesting caffeine and ephedra prior to exercise
will alter the cardiovascular system by increasing hypersensitive response
prior, during, and after exercise, and systolic blood pressure before
exercise. The higher rate pressure indicates greater demands on the heart
when individuals consume caffeine and ephedra.
-end-
The American
Physiological Society (APS) is one of the world’s most prestigious
organizations for physiological scientists. These researchers specialize in
understanding the processes and functions underlying human health and
disease. Founded in 1887 the Bethesda, MD-based Society has more than
10,000 members and publishes 3,800 articles in its 14 peer-reviewed journals
each year.
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Editor’s
Note: For receive a copy of the abstract, or to schedule an interview with a
member of the research team, please contact Donna Krupa at 703.967.2751
(cell), 703.527.7357 (office) or at
djkrupa1@aol.com.
