It has long been known that ephedra is a potent and powerful fat burner. When considering safety factors I would say that it is the KING of fat burners. I can't remember the last time I've done a cut without including ephedra and it has NEVER let me down!
Ephedra burns fat through two mechanisms. First, ephedrine raises the core temperature of the body (thermogenesis), this produces heat and causes the body to burn more calories than it normally would. Secondly, ephedrine stimulates the thyroid to convert the weaker T-4 into the more potent T-3 which also accelerates the metabolism to burn even more calories. For more information on thyroid hormones see this page.
This effect of ephedra can be amplified further by taking a combination of caffeine and
aspirin along with the ephedra for a synergistic effect. Research has shown us that the
fat burning properties of ephedrine can be almost doubled by combining 25mg ephedrine, 200mg caffeine and 300mg aspirin. Taken 3 times a day this combination produces superior fat burning effects that have been appreciated by dieters and even bodybuilders for years.
Another reason that makes ephedra so effective as a fat loss aid is that it has anti-catabolic properties. This means that it helps in maintaining your muscles while you are dieting. You don't want to lose any of your hard won muscle if you don't have to.
Finally, ephedrine is also very effective as a training aid. It gives a stimulant boost to
the central nervous system and improves concentration, focus and the link between your nerves and muscles. For best effect during your workout the ephedra should be taken about one hour prior to working out. You will notice a boost in energy that can translate to a 5-10% increase in strength. Aspirin and caffeine will boost this effect just as they do for fat burning. Note that tolerance does develop after several weeks and you will need to increase your dosage as the body becomes accustomed to it. Another alternative is to cycle your ephedra intake, 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off.
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