Contents

Page 1
1.0 Introduction.
2.0 Calculating the ephedrine/caffeine content.
2.1 Where does the 20/200 amount come from?
Page 2
3.0 What about willow bark/aspirin?
3.1 What about synephrine, St. John's wort, carnitine, etc?
Page 3
3.2 What about cycling and adrenal exhaustion?
Page 4
3.3 The beta-3 scandal: the discovery
Page 5
3.4  The beta 3 scandal: the truth withheld
Page 6
4.0 Do not start with the full dose.
Page 7
4.1 Is ECA safe?
Page 8
4.2 Massive obesity.
Page 9
5.0 Selecting a good thermogenic formula.
5.1 Price Comparison.

For more safety info, including ECA and stress tests, the 12 week time limit, and quotes from the FDA's anti-ephedrine medical articles, see Health Canada Bans Thermogenic Supplements.

4.0 Do Not Start With The Full Dose

Warning: This information is based on research, common practices, and my own ideas. These dosage ideas may not be appropriate for you -- I present this information so you can discuss it with your doctor. For more information, read the Terms of Service.

The main advantage of herbal stacks is that it takes 2-4 capsules to get the full dose. This makes it easy to start the ECA stack at a low dose and avoid any unpleasant stimulant side effects. The rule of thumb is if it is unpleasant take less. The stimulant effect subsides with regular use but the thermogenic effect continues. Anecdotally, many people take a half dose (10/100) for the first couple of weeks and report a mild increase in energy, some appetite suppression, and no unpleasant side effects. However, as you will see, the research suggests that the low dose period should, in some cases, be much longer. This must be individualized since people adapt at different rates. Lets look at the research:

Toubro et al. (3) started moderately overweight people out at the full dose (20 mg ephedrine & 200 mg caffeine) and found that the stimulant side effects were not harmful, but can last for quite some time: "The side-effects are minor and transient and no clinically relevant withdrawal symptoms have been observed . . . Eighty percent of symptoms lasted less than 4 weeks, 13% lasted 4-8 weeks, 5% lasted 8-12 weeks and the remaining 2% lasted 12-16 weeks." Many people have found that you can avoid these side effects by starting with a half dose.

Based on the research, this is a logical way to start the ECA stack:
Week 1-4 (half dose): 10 mg ephedrine and 100 mg caffeine taken 30 minutes before each meal.
Week 5 (full dose): 20 mg ephedrine and 200 mg caffeine taken 30 minutes before each meal.

Some people skip the dinner dose during the first month if they have trouble sleeping. If the herbal stack upsets your stomach, try taking it WITH each meal. If that does not help, stop taking the herbal stack and try half of an ephedrine tablet and a 100 mg caffeine capsule (no aspirin) WITH each meal. In addition, people who are unusually sensitive to stimulants may find it best to start at 1/3 or even 1/4 the full dose. This is easily accomplished with herbal stacks that require 3 or 4 capsules to get the full dose. These products are listed in the Price Comparison.

Written
Mar 2000
Last Update
Mar 2000

    
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TOC

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