What you may not know is that ephedra plant has been used to treat a number of respiratory and circulatory conditions, including asthma, allergies (such as hay fever) and common cold. Ephedrine, or synthetic equivalent called pseudoephedrine, can be found in many over-the-counter cold and allergy medications, including Sudafed. Ephedra is a vasodilator, which means it relaxes (or dilates) blood vessels, which allows blood to flow more easily, and allows nasal passages to open wider. In Chinese medicine, ephedra has been used for thousands of years to increase blood flow and improve circulation.

Athletes have used ephedra for centuries, since it helps build muscle and burn fat. Many people report increased energy and stamina while using ephedra, which increases overall athletic performance.

Ephedra is generally considered safe when adhering to recommended doses. Since ephedra is a very powerful and effective supplement, you should check with your physician before using ephedra if you have any of following conditions: anxiety, high blood pressure, glaucoma or heart disease. Do not take ephedra if you are pregnant or lactating. It’s recommended to check with your physician before beginning any weight loss program.

Since ban was lifted so recently, only one company currently offers ephedra supplements online. You can purchase ephedra while supplies last at: http://www.BetaFuelDirect.com or http://www.EphedraBurnsFat.com

During ketosis, your carbohydrate-depleted body grabs other sources, including ketones from stored fat or protein, to satisfy daily energy needs. This leads to ketoacidosis, a state similar to that seen with type 1 diabetes. This type of diet can have a negative long-term impact on health.

"Next time you talk to someone on one of these diets, pay attention to their mental state, how alert they seem," says Holden. "The lack of carbohydrates tends to make them seem a bit fuzzy mentally because brain is not getting enough fuel. Is that any way to diet?"

New Research Supports It --------------------------------------------------------- But a study in July 2002 issue of American Journal of Medicine showed that most famous of low-carb diets, Atkins diet, does work.

Study participants lost an average of 20 pounds while on Atkins diet for six months, but they were not followed longer to see if they kept weight off. Most people also had improved cholesterol levels at end of study, even though eating plan permits unlimited quantities of cholesterol-rich foods such as eggs and meat.

The study was funded by a grant from Robert Atkins Center for Complementary Medicine. Duke researcher Eric Westman, MD, says he became interested in studying Atkins diet after several of his patients lost large amounts of weight on it.

But though researchers were impressed by weight loss, they say more study is needed to pronounce carbohydrate-restricting diet safe.

Safe Dieting ------------------------------------------------------- Here's how American Heart Association says to take weight off, and keep it off.

Be active: try walking 30 minutes a day most days of week.

To lose weight, most women should eat 1,200-1,500 calories per day.

To lose weight, most men should eat 1,500-1,800 calories a day.

A loss of one to two pounds per week is considered a healthy weight loss.

People who lose weight gradually are more likely to keep weight off.

Eat no more than 30% of your total calories from fat.

Include at least five servings of fruit and vegetables in your diet each day.

Examine your eating habits -- keep a written journal of what and when you eat.

Weigh yourself only once a week.

Eat breakfast to curb binge eating.

"There are still a lot of things we don't know about food and nutrition," says Holden. "Nutrition is a relatively young science, but we do know that you can trick body's mechanisms in short run. In long run, however, those short cuts catch up with you in form of weight gain."

Source: WebMD