FRIDAY, MARCH 14,2003
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN - 3A
Despite nationwide debate, students still take ephedra
Weight-loss drug causes reactions, sparks controversy
By Nikki Overfelt
noverfelt@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
The Feb. 17 death of a Major League Baseball player linked to ephedra has sparked a nationwide debate over the legal herbal supplement.
Based on a report by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General Janet Rehquist, it is estimated that 100,000 Americans have experienced adverse reactions to ephedra in the past several years. In addition, more than 1,000 people have voluntarily submitted Adverse Event Reports associated with ephedra to the FDA.
Ephedra, which comes from the Chinese herb Ma Huang, is an adrenaline-like stimulant mainly used for weight loss and performance enhancement.
Ephedra is in the same class of drugs as amphetamines, said Lawrence Magee, director of the Sports Medicine Clinic at Watkins Memorial Health Center. Some of the possible side effects of ephedra are increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, increased body temperature, anxiety, paranoia, strokes and seizures, he said.
There has been a mixed jury on whether ephedra is effective. Magee said.
"In the studies I've seen it
doesn't have much of an affect on performance," he said. "From my standpoint it's not a good performance-enhancing drug."
If the dosage is pushed high enough it can have an effect, he said, but then the risk of side effects is high.
As far as weight loss is concerned, it may be effective in some people because it does suppress a person's appetite. Magee said.
"It doesn't give you a permanent type of weight loss," he said.
Even if taken in the recommended dosages, ephedra can still cause problems, Magee said.
"I don't know if I would necessarily quantify it as safe," he said. "I wouldn't be surprised if it gets taken off the market. I think the benefit to risk ratio is not very good."
Using products with ephedra is popular with students, Magee said, because students tend to want a quick fix when it comes to losing weight and improving performance. Plus they aren't always concerned about their long-term health, he said.
Zach Williams, Prairie Village sophomore, isn't too concerned about the recent warnings about ephedra, he said. He drinks Red Bull, a drink containing the stimulant, to boost his energy.
"I have a good heart," Williams said. "I don't think the amount in Red Bull is going to knock me out."
ephedra supplement for an energy boost before he started having tremors and heard about the health problems it could cause,he said.
Although the small amount in Red Bull does not worry him, Williams used to take an
Aaron Boos, owner of Lawrence Nutrition Center, said he had seen the sales of products with ephedra decrease with the recent publicity.
Almost everyone that has seen a negative affect from ephedra. Boos said, had health problems before taking it.
"It's the best legal stimulant you can buy for dieting," he said. "It's about as good as you can get, but it does come with side effects."
Before selling the products to customers, he checks to make sure they don't have any health problems, especially high blood pressure, that can escalated when ephedra is taken.
Although herbal supplements do not have to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration, at the beginning of this month the FDA started requiring warning labels on ephedra products. General Nutrition Centers nationwide do comply with the required labeling of ephedra products and do not sell them to anyone under 18, said Stephanie Mangigi, representative for GNC.
"When used as directed," she said, "ephedra is a safe and effective part of a comprehensive weight management program that is helping millions of Americans every year."
Edited by Amber Byarlay
Dancers prepare for contest
By Lauren Airey lairey@kansan.com Kansan staff writer
"When we compete, it's always nervous excitement." Miller said.
Jenna Miller has danced for fun and for competition since she was 3 years old. But when she enrolled at the University of Kansas, she didn't want to join the Crimson Girls because it required a lot of time and didn't provide much of an opportunity to dance. Miller wasn't looking to serve as a cheerleader.
Miller and Wayland sent a videotape of the nine-member team to the National Dance Alliance last fall and qualified for the national competition in Orlando. The team competed last week in the open division with other collegiate dance teams.
However, there weren't any other teams for her to dance with. So she created one.
Contributed Photo
Marja Edwardson, Eden Prairie, Minn., freshman, saw fliers for the dance team at Robinson Center and auditioned for the team because she danced on a similar team in high school and is majoring in dance at the University. Then the team practices their routines and perfects the dance section by section.
"There weren't a lot of opportunities for collegiate dancers besides the Crimson Girls," Miller, Lincoln, Neb. senior, said. "I thought there might be a lot of people who would be interested in performing and competing again."
She began planning and advertising for the team, named FLARE, in Fall 2002 with the help of Karri Wayland, Augusta sophomore. They held auditions in September 2002 and have been practicing weekly to prepare for national competition and occasional performances.
FLARE took fourth place in the open division last week in Orlando, Fla. in the National Dance Alliance competition. The nine-member dance troupe was formed September 2002 and have been practicing weekly to prepare for national competition and occasional performances.
"I was very excited about nationals, knowing that you've worked so hard for that,for these two or so minutes."
Marja Edwardson
Eden Prairie, Minn., freshman
After two months of at least two practices a week, the team took fourth place in its division last week.
"I was very excited about nationals, knowing that you've worked so hard for that, for these two or so minutes." Edwardson said.
Miller said she wanted to expand the team for next year and return to the NDA national competition. Auditions for next year's team will be held in May.
Miller said getting people from different backgrounds to dance the same was a challenge.
"It's a lot of late nights and a lot of weekends." Miller said.
- Edited by Brandon Gay
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