// BEGIN editorial data
 var i = 0;
var ephedra_wb3 = new Array();
ephedra_wb3.sName = "ephedra_wb3";
ephedra_wb3.ID = "ephedra_wb3";
ephedra_wb3.ID_WB = 3597399;
ephedra_wb3.sPubDate = "12/30/2003 6:24:52 PM GMT";
ephedra_wb3.mainsectionID = "HEALTH"
ephedra_wb3.navsectionID = "HEALTH"
ephedra_wb3.appFmt = 2;
ephedra_wb3.itemsPerPage = 1;
ephedra_wb3.nTeaseW = 90;
ephedra_wb3.nTeaseH = 110;
ephedra_wb3.appWidth = 460;
ephedra_wb3.appHeader = "FACT FILE|Ephedra";
ephedra_wb3.appNavStyle = 3;
ephedra_wb3.sNavLinkStyle = "font-size:11px; line-height:20px;";
ephedra_wb3.appLayout = 3;
ephedra_wb3.copyHeight = 220;
ephedra_wb3.copyWidth = 320;
ephedra_wb3.copyMargin = 9;
ephedra_wb3[i++] = new Array("","About ephedra","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
ephedra_wb3[i-1].body = "Ephedra, the herbal form of the stimulant ephedrine, was used as a weight-loss supplement by millions of Americans. Reports of links to illness and sudden death resulted in a heated debate over its safety and led to the government ban on products containing ephedra.";

ephedra_wb3[i++] = new Array("","Use and history","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
ephedra_wb3[i-1].body = "Ephedra, which is also known by its Chinese name, ma huang, has been used as a medicinal herb for thousands of years in India and China to treat asthma, bronchitis and coughs. In recent years, it was widely promoted in the United States as an appetite suppressant and weight-loss aid in over-the-counter products, such as Xenadrine. An estimated 12 million Americans used the supplement in 1999, according to researchers.";

ephedra_wb3[i++] = new Array("","How it works","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
ephedra_wb3[i-1].body = "The two main chemicals in ephedra, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, are stimulants that lead to the constriction of blood vessels. In low doses, they act as decongestants, but in higher doses, they can raise blood pressure. The stimulant effect contributes to the herb’s effectiveness as an appetite suppressant but can lead to severe cardiovascular reactions. Consumption of ephedra can also result in a false-positive for amphetamines in urine tests.";

ephedra_wb3[i++] = new Array("","Health concerns","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
ephedra_wb3[i-1].body = "A variety of studies have linked ephedra to cardiovascular problems, including high blood pressure, palpitations and heart attacks. Strokes, seizures, psychosis, insomnia and heatstroke have also been reported. The supplement has been conclusively linked to cases of healthy adults suddenly falling ill or even dying after taking it. People with high blood pressure, heart disease, anxiety, glaucoma, enlarged prostate or hyperthyroidism are particularly at risk.";

ephedra_wb3[i++] = new Array("","Risk of use","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
ephedra_wb3[i-1].body = "Researchers studying ephedra at the University of California, San Francisco, reported that people who take ephedra products are 200 times more likely to suffer a complication than are users of other herbal supplements. Ephedra is responsible for 64 percent of all adverse reactions from the use of herbal supplements, although ephedra products make up less than 1 percent of all herbal supplements sold in the United States, researchers say. Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group, says more than 150 deaths since 1995 have been linked to ephedra.";

	// END editorial data