Pubdate: Sat, 03 Jan 2004 Source: Pensacola News Journal (FL) Copyright: 2004 The Pensacola News Journal Contact: http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1675 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/ephedra FDA IS RIGHT TO BAN EPHEDRA After as many as 155 deaths and 16,000 other "adverse reactions" -- such as strokes and heart attacks -- the FDA did the right and needed thing by banning the "dietary supplement" ephedra. Touted as a weight-loss aid, ephedra flies below the radar of regulation by falling into the "dietary supplement" category of substances. That basically seems to mean that its manufacturers and sellers could make all kinds of claims about its supposed benefits so long as they informed customers that none of these claims were proven or sanctioned by the Food and Drug Administration. They also didn't have to prove that the product is safe. The government's action comes after three states had already banned ephedra -- California, New York and Illinois -- and after it had been banned by the International Olympic Committee, the National Football League and college sports. Major League Baseball, notably, had failed to ban the supplement, despite the fact it made big news this spring when a pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles died during training camp after taking it. Makers of ephedra argue that the supplement is safe if taken correctly, and they might be right. The problem is that it isn't treated as a serious medical product but as a dietary supplement. The message to consumers is that it must be OK because of the way it is regulated and sold. Today, people want everything to be easy and fast. If you can't lose weight fast enough through controlling your diet and exercising, taking a pill that promises quick, easy -- and safe -- results is alluring. If it also promises to increase your energy level, so much the better. And of course with the prevalent American attitude that if one is good, two must be better, people are quick to up the dosage. But while eating two grapefruit might be better than eating one, taking that course with ephedra can be a big mistake -- potentially a fatal one. The question of whether ephedra is safe when used properly should be explored. After all, there are many products that can produce beneficial effects if used wisely, but which if abused can harm people. It reminds us of the reaction of an old-time politician to his stand on alcoholic beverages. He replied that if you are talking about that evil brew that wrecks marriages, destroys health and robs man of his reason, he was against it; but if you are talking about the magical libation that enhances the appetite, smoothes social discourse and raises people's spirits, he was all for it. If ephedra has a useful and safe place in weight control or as an energy enhancer, the FDA should determine what that roles is and then apply the proper regulations to help consumers understand its uses as well as its risks. Other than breathing clean air, it's hard to think of anything that is risk-free -- after all, you can choke on a glass of water. The weight of evidence today is that ephedra carries more risks than its status on our store shelves implies. Until it is properly regulated, ephedra should be banned - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake