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.

5.0 Selecting a Good Thermogenic Formula

Despite the hype, herbal stacks are not better than home-brew stacks (mini thins and caffeine capsules). The "extra" ingredients in the herbal stacks add little to the fat burning effect. In addition, if you review the price data, you will see that the stacks with lots of "extra" ingredients cost twice as much. These "extra" ingredients are simply not worth the "extra" expense. On the other hand, due to the political situation, the home brew stack is becoming more expensive than some of the better herbal stacks.

At any rate, the important thing is the ephedrine/caffeine content. The ephedrine/caffeine combination corrects a specific biochemical imbalance that is extremely common among the obese -- and there are decades of scientific research on this. Ignore the hype. Real science gets real results! If you have not done so, check out the illustrations in my post, "How ECA Works."  As they say, "a picture is worth a thousand words."

As discussed earlier in this FAQ, I prefer formulas that do not contain willow bark. I also do not recommend formulas that contain synephrine -- based on its mode of action, it is unlikely to increase fat burning. And these formulas are almost always more expensive. Although yohimbe is a legitimate thermogenic, I do not recommend formulas that combine ephedrine (or related alkaloids) and yohimbe. I have experimented with these combinations and after a short period of time the body temperature returns to the same level as with plain ephedrine/caffeine formulas. So what's the point of taking additional stimulants?

When Dulloo and Miller screened drugs to determine their thermogenic potential, they were looking for a way to normalize the sympathetic tone and adrenergic biochemistry of obese people -- without the problems associated with most stimulants. The synergistic effect of caffeine made it possible to normalize our biochemistry with a low dose of ephedrine. The result was ECA -- the safest and most effective obesity drug in existence. Obesity is a real disease and we would be well advised to ignore the endless marketing hype and follow the path blazed by scientists like Dulloo, Miller, Stock, Rothwell, Arch, and others.

5.1 Price Comparison

The old Product Comparison Table and its price survey are now obsolete -- the Price Comparison: Fat Burners/ECA Stack page has complete current information on a LOT more products. Every product now includes current price-per-dose info based on the lowest price, a full ingredient list, a product review, links to more discounters, and lots of new bargains -- including green tea/ECA stacks.

This is why I eliminated the "contest" part of this FAQ -- there are now so many options that I have quite a few "highly recommended" formulas. Of course, Metabolift, Ripped Fuel, and the home brew stack are still very highly recommended. But there are a number of new formulas and green tea/ECA combinations that are definitely worth considering. More thermogenic formulas, more discounters, and lower prices! Let me know what you think about the new Price Comparison: Fat Burners/ECA Stack.

Written
Mar 2000
Last Update
Mar 2000

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TOC

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