The Effect of Ephedra and High Fat Dieting: A Cause for Concern!

Abstract

The increased incidence of obesity in the world has resulted in more and more people attempting to lose weight through a variety of diets. Many of these diets employ caloric reduction through the elimination of certain food groups. These diets may initially be associated with weight loss (including water weight) but follow up reports of these diets show high drop out rates, proinflammatory changes which can precipitate heart disease and weight gain following cessation of these diets. Efforts to use prescription anorexic medications have been associated with valvular disease and other health concerns. Dissatisfaction with the medical community and a subsequent increase in the availability of information on the Internet, are only two of the reasons why people are looking at alternative medicine to assist with health care issues. This includes the use of herbal supplements for appetite suppression. A review of the literature reveals several problems with some of these supplements, including Ephedra. Potentially serious adverse effects include dysrhythmias, heart failure, myocardial infarction, changes in blood pressure, and death have occurred. Unfortunately, one half of all patients experiencing a myocardial infarction have total cholesterol levels below 150 mg/dL and/or no prior cardiac symptoms. This means that the development of inflammatory changes which can precipitate myocardial infarction may go unnoticed by conventional testing and unless markers of inflammation and coronary perfusion are looked for, changes which can precipitate myocardial infarction may go unnoticed until cardiac injury occurs. The following case presentation shows how an individual with exertional dyspnea and concerned about her weight was affected by both the ingestion of a low-carbohydrate diet and ephedra.