THE PROFNET WIRE: HEALTH & LIVING - Alternatives to Ephedra Jan. 9, 2003.

 
  ROUND-UPS 
 
  Alternatives to Ephedra (12 experts) 
 
  LEADS 
 
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  8.  Popularity Living: Being Single on Valentine's Day: A Survival Guide 
  9.  Time Management: Take Back Your Time Week Begins Jan. 26 
  10. Travel: Hip Travel Trends 
 
  ROUND-UP: ALTERNATIVES TO EPHEDRA 
 
 

Following are experts who can comment on the aftermath of the FDA's decision to ban the sale of herbal weight-loss products containing ephedra:

1. CHRIS KILHAM, explorer-in-residence of the medicinal plant program at the UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS: "With the ban on ephedra announced, supplement makers are scrambling to find suitable substitutes for the stimulant effects of that herb. The three top herbal candidates appear to be yerba mate, which enjoys a very long history of safe use and is noted for its appetite-suppressing and fatigue-allaying properties; guarana, which also contains caffeine and related compounds; and citrus aurantium, which may prove over time to be another ephedra. Though increasingly popular in diet and workout products, synephrine does not enjoy the same history of safe use as yerba mate and guarana." Kilham: Phone: +1-413-548-9491

2. KELLY SHIELDS, Pharm.D., assistant director of pharmacy practice and assistant director of drug information at OHIO NORTHERN UNIVERSITY: "I think there are two products that are going to be commonly used by manufacturers to fill the ephedra void: caffeine and synephrine products. Many of the combination weight-loss products that have re-formulated as 'ephedra-free' have used many different herbs with caffeine in order to obtain an effect. For example, guarana has 2.5 to 7 percent caffeine (coffee has about 1 to 2 percent). Most combination products will use a variety of caffeine-containing products, which will greatly increase the risk of adverse effects, including insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, agitation, nausea, fast heartbeat, arrhythmia or increased respiratory rate." Shields: Phone: +1-419-772-2752 News Contact: Mary A. Wilkin Phone: +1-419-772-2089

3. DR. SHARI LIEBERMAN, clinical nutritionist for VITAMIN RESEARCH PRODUCTS, a Nevada-based developer of special dietary supplement formulas and author of "Dare To Lose": "Green tea…