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In watching the diet aid market boom with products like Metabolife and similar miracle cures for obesity, the world quickly became enamored by the fast and effective results of many of the products.
However, when heart problems became an issue and these marketed products, including Metabolife, were reassessed, one common ingredient was found in all of the effective treatments: ephedra. Upon closer study, ephedra was the source to blame for causing heart disease and heart failure in many users of these diet pills. |
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Is Metabolife Effective without Ephedra?
After this scare, all of the diet aids were taken off the market until ephedra was removed from the formula. However, with ephedra being the producer of such dramatic weight loss results, does Metabolife still boost metabolism, create more energy, and assist in weight loss now that this major ingredient has been removed?
The original formula for Metabolife 356 was as follows: Ma Huang (a Chinese herb containing ephedrine alkaloids), vitamin E, magnesium, zinc, and chromium. Metabolife 356 added to this formula guarana, an herbal source of caffeine. There was also an unlisted blend of ginger root, lecithin, goldenseal, gotu kola, sarsparilla, royal jelly, damiana, nettle leaf, bee pollen, and bovine complex, the quantities of which are unknown.
Ephedra has been removed from both all recipes since the lawsuits against the marketing of drugs containing the substance. Today, the main ingredient that is effective, though in a much slower, less potent fashion, is caffeine, a substance not even present in the original Metabolife product. Caffeine is a natural stimulant as well and can also act as a diuretic in large quantities. Caffeine can boost energy for brief periods of time but will also lead to dehydration and other side effects. In rare cases, caffeine can be so potent as to mimic the results of illegal amphetamines.
With the new Metabolife recipe, side effects now include increased blood pressure and heart rate, headache, nausea, chest pain, and most commonly jitteriness and paranoia, as well as irritability. This product has warning labels stating that women who are pregnant or nursing should not use it, and anyone with other health problems including diabetes, thyroid disease, heart disease, glaucoma, enlarged prostate, depression, and high blood pressure or a family history that increases risk factors for these should first consult their primary care physician.
If you do decide to try Metabolife or Metabolife 356, be aware of dosage limits and do not exceed these limits. Also, because this drug contains caffeine, which can act as a diuretic, symptoms of dehydration are common, and you should always be sure to take the pills with a full glass of water and maintain your fluids by drinking several more glasses throughout the day. Always pair these solutions with a healthy diet and plenty of regular exercise for best results. This will help you lose more weight and avoid the feelings of nausea and tremor that can otherwise occur.
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