Why should athletes stay away from Ephedra pill?

Ephedrine, either as a dietary supplement, or as the Ephedra weight-loss pill, is a banned substance. Any athlete who fails the Ephedrine doping test is forever discredited. Here are the reasons why the Ephedra-based diet pill is condemned in the sports world:

• Ephedrine causes a dramatic increase in the activity of the central nervous system.
• The Ephedra energy pill has a significant stimulatory effect on cells. The athlete's metabolism is stimulated, as more free fatty acids are produced from the breakdown of triglycerides in the adipose tissue. This is a very positive effect.
• The Ephedra pill improves the force of skeletal muscle contractions with a powerful effect on performance. It is commonly taken immediately before a competition. When administered at a certain dosage (Ephedra minimum: 25 to a maximum of 50 mg) and only for a few weeks, it has real benefits. It should not be taken at higher doses or for longer periods.

A primary symptom of Ephedrine is a higher body temperature. After few weeks of using it, this symptom disappears and the athlete will know that the substance has lost its power. A break of 2-3 months is required before it can be taken again in training sessions (not competitions). Another combination containing Ephedra is the ECA stack: ephedrine, caffeine and aspirin. Ephedrine and caffeine behave as thermogenic agents. Aspirin inhibits lipogenesis by blocking the incorporation of acetate into fatty acids. Monitoring the body temperature is suggested.

Those who use the Ephedra-based diet pill should always be aware of the unpleasant, and sometimes risky, side effects, such as:

1. tremor of hands
2. sweating
3. dizziness
4. rapid heartbeats

The diet-energy Ephedra supplement is a strong and effective stimulant which induces high performance. Its properties make it a source of great temptation for athletes who long for great sports performances. The intentional use of Ephedrine is punished by international laws, called doping-control regulations. As a general rule, sports persons are told to avoid any product claiming to be a "fatburner" or "muscle building".

They are also advised to stay away from the black market (source of the so-called "street drugs" and unlabeled products.

A review of international anti-doping efforts

Doping may well have appeared at the same time as competitions themselves. The first Greek runners are said to have taken foreign substances in order to improve their performance during the games. Strychnine, caffeine, cocaine and alcohol have been used to enhance sports performance. The first worldwide efforts to stop doping were made in 1928. The International Amateur Athletic Federation banned the use of stimulant agents and anabolic substances such as ephedrine and amphetamine. Other federations reacted, but still no testing was imposed. Later, in 1966, the UCI (cycling) and FIFA (football) introduced doping tests in the World Championships. In 1967, the International Olympic Committee created a medical commission and made public a list of prohibited substances. Further drug tests were introduced at the Olympic Winter Games at Grenoble and at the Olympic Games in Mexico in 1968.

Most international sports federations are committed to drug tests. The setting up of WADA in 1999 was crucial for the anti-doping international campaign. WADA sustains and promotes fundamental values in sport. Organizations and governments joined in the effort to eliminate drugs and stimulants. The year 2004 was considered essential in the anti-doping effort, since before the Athens Olympics, the WADA Code had been implemented worldwide. This Code is to ensure that for the first time in history, the rules and regulations governing anti-doping will be the same in all sports and all countries.

Case studies

The eccentric soccer player Diego Armando Maradona is just one of the many famous sportsmen who made a contribution to the history of the Ephedra pill. When tested after a match against Nigeria at the WorldCup 1994, Maradona was found positive to Ephedrine, not allowed by FIFA. As a consequence, he was suspended from playing soccer for more than a year. The vast majority of sportsmen who fail the anti-doping test are disgraced. Besides, they have to undergo severe tests and reviews in order to return to competitions.

Each sport has its own doping control regulations applicable in any country. For instance, Doping Disqualifications and Public Warnings, according to USATF are as shown in the table below. USATF is the National Governing Body for track and field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States.