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Contents Page 1
I have illustrations that make it easier to understand these mechanisms -- see How ECA Works |
The purpose of both caffeine and aspirin is to enhance and prolong the thermogenic effect of ephedrine. Ephedrine increases (normalizes) the release of adrenaline (also called epinephrine) and noradrenaline (also called norepinephrine). This allows the obese person to breakdown (lipolysis) and burn fat in a normal manner. However, trying to lose weight is like playing chess against an opponent that cheats by making several moves at once. In this case, the body "cheats" by dampening the thermogenic response via extracellular mechanisms (prostaglandins and adenosine) and intracellular mechanisms (phosphodiesterase). Extracellular MechanismsThe nerve terminals (nerve endings) of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) release noradrenaline which stimulates the beta receptors and starts the fat burning process. In the synaptic junction (before receptor stimulation) the release of noradrenaline is inhibited by prostaglandins and adenosine. Aspirin inhibits the peripheral synthesis of prostaglandins and caffeine antagonizes adenosine (1). Thus, thermogenesis is prolonged because caffeine and aspirin interfere with these extracellular negative feedback mechanisms. This allows the increased (normalized) sympathetic release of noradrenaline to stimulate the beta receptors without undue interference. However, the body has yet another trick up its sleeve: it elevates the activities of the enzyme phosphodiesterase WITHIN the cell. |
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Intracellular MechanismStimulation of the beta receptors by noradrenaline causes an increase of cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate) within the cell. This crucial part of the process that leads to thermogenesis is vulnerable because cAMP is degraded by phosphodiesterase. Thus, despite increased stimulation of the beta receptors, the body can short-circuit thermogenesis by increasing the activity of phosphodiesterase. Fortunately, methylxanthines (caffeine & theophylline) also inhibit the activities of phosphodiesterase (1). Caffeine is crucially important because it antagonizes adenosine AND phosphodiesterase. In summation, ephedrine increases (normalizes) sympathetic activity (thermogenesis) and the combination of caffeine and aspirin prolongs thermogenesis by attenuating several negative feedback mechanisms. We take ephedrine to normalize our low sympathetic tone and our "cheating" chess opponent responds by making three moves which we counter with caffeine and aspirin. Check(mate?). |
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Smart StackingThe results seem to vary from mediocre to miraculous. The greater the obesity, the greater the biochemical defects. There are many biochemical imbalances in obesity but the higher your set point, the lower your sympathetic tone probably is. Thus, I suspect that those with juvenile-onset morbid (massive) obesity are likely to obtain more dramatic results than people with a relatively small amount of weight to lose. However, ANYONE who diets without taking thermogenic supplements will experience a dramatic reduction of sympathetic activity. It is no wonder why diets stop "working." Also, insufficient stimulation of the beta 2 receptors causes muscle loss while dieting. Thermogenics can also prevent (or reduce) diet-induced muscle loss (1, 2, 4). It is simply not logical to try to lose weight without taking thermogenic supplements. People who can't tolerate aspirin should know that ephedrine and caffeine (E+C) without aspirin is still quite effective. This is probably because phosphodiesterase is considered to be the most important inhibitor of thermogenesis (1). The most effective combination was found to be 20 mg of ephedrine and 200 mg of caffeine (2). Typically, this is taken three times per day. Personally, I think it is unwise to start out with such a high dose. The response to ANY substance varies from person to person. Starting out with a half dose for the first month can reduce or eliminate the side effects because the stimulant effect subsides but the fat burning effect continues (1, 2). A person who is extremely sensitive to stimulants could start out with one-third of the full dose. This is easy to do with herbal formulas that require several capsules to achieve the full dose. |
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1.) Dulloo, AG "Ephedrine, xanthines and prostaglandin-inhibitors: actions and interactions in the stimulation of thermogenesis." Int J Obes (1993 Feb) Vol 17, No Suppl 1, Pg S35-40, PMID: 0008384178. 2.) Astrup, A. and Toubro, S. "Thermogenic, metabolic, and cardiovascular responses to ephedrine and caffeine in man." Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 1993 Feb; 17 Suppl 1:S41-3, PMID: 0008384179. 3.) Steering Committee Of The Physicians' Health Study Research Group "Final report on the aspirin component of the ongoing physicians health study." N Engl J Med (1989 Jul 20) Vol 321, No 3, Pg 129-35, PMID: 0002664509. 4.) Bray, GA and Gray, DS "Obesity. Part I--Pathogenesis." West J Med (1988 Oct) Vol 149, No 4, Pg 429-41, PMID: 0003067447. 5.) Palomaki, H; Partinen, M; Erkinjuntti, T; and Kaste, M "Snoring, sleep apnea syndrome, and stroke." Neurology (1992 Jul) Vol 42, No 7 Suppl 6, Pg 75-81; discussion 82, PMID: 0001630643. 6.) Khaw, KT and Barrett-Connor, E. "Dietary potassium and stroke-associated mortality. A 12-year prospective population study." N Engl J Med (1987 Jan 29) Vol 316, No 5, Pg 235-40, PMID: 0003796701. |
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