Athlete says ephedra ban not needed

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Rob Zaleski: Athlete says ephedra ban not needed

 

By Rob Zaleski

January 7, 2004

 

If ephedra is so dangerous, asks Madison kinesiologist Lionel Martin, why have

the Chinese been using it for more than 4,000 years?We'd all like to think that

the people responsible for major health-related decisions in this country are

looking out for each and every one of us.

But we know from past experience that that's not always the case.

Just two months ago, for instance, the Food and Drug Administration - at the

urging of Tommy Thompson, secretary of Health and Human Services - began

pressuring Canada to crack down on pharmacists and companies that help Americans

get cheaper prescription drugs from that country.

Which, of course, was wonderful news for the big U.S. pharmaceutical companies,

but rather distressing news for elderly Americans on fixed incomes.

So perhaps it's not surprising that some Americans are questioning the FDA's

recent decision - again, with the ex-Wisconsin governor's enthusiastic support -

to ban ephedra, a widely used herb supplement that provides an energy boost and

also contributes to weight loss, as of March 1.

FDA Secretary Mark McClellan said his agency decided to take the action because

there have been 155 deaths - as well as dozens of strokes and heart attacks -

linked to the amphetamine-like stimulant. Most notable among those was Steve

Bechler, a 23-year-old pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles, who collapsed after

taking the herb during spring training last year.

 

" Ephedra raises your blood pressure and stresses your system. There are far

better, safer ways, to get in shape, " said McClellan, who claimed the decision

was based on the best scientific evidence as well as thousands of comments from

people who encouraged the FDA to ban the supplement.

Well, maybe, says Lionel Martin, a 39-year-old Madison kinesiologist and

endurance athlete who's used ephedra on occasion and contends that it's

perfectly safe when used in the proper dosages.

Understand, " I'm not saying that ephedra might not be dangerous if you're a high

school kid and take eight of them, " says Martin, who's competed in numerous

long-distance running events and six Birkebeiner cross-country ski races.

" But it's also a problem if you take five times the proper dosage of ibuprofen

or cough medicine. "

Martin, who worked as a massage therapist at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic

Games, emphasizes that he's not an expert on ephedra. He's also aware that many

health experts say the FDA's decision was long overdue, and that the supplement

industry's Council for Responsible Nutrition says it won't oppose the ban.

But if the herb's really as dangerous as the FDA claims, he says, why have the

Chinese been using it for more than 4,000 years to treat ailments ranging from

fevers to asthma? And why did a weight loss study by researchers at Harvard and

Columbia universities two years ago conclude that the herb, when used as

directed, was both safe and effective?

So, yes, he suspects the FDA had ulterior motives, Martin says - just as it did

when it began cracking down on cheaper Canadian drugs.

" I mean, what industry was relatively unscathed by the recent little downturn in

the economy? The pharmaceutical industry, of course, " he says. " And I think this

is a foot in the door for the FDA to start regulating a lot of various herbs and

supplements from the alternative medicine industry. "

Martin notes that ephedra's critics have made a big deal about the herb being a

factor in Bechler's death. But what they usually fail to mention, he says, is

that Bechler was overweight and woefully out of shape - and that his death

occurred in hot, muggy conditions. Moreover, he's known to have had other

medical problems.

Although Martin says he personally doesn't believe in taking performance

enhancement products of any kind, he has used ephedra for the exercised-induced

asthma he often experiences in humid weather and says it's always worked great.

And he knows of other athletes who've had similar success with the herb.

Now, whenever his asthma kicks up, Martin says, he'll have no choice but " to use

some engineered pharmaceutical product " that might have even more side effects

than ephedra.

Which, he maintains, is exactly what the FDA's decision is about.

Again, he's not suggesting that ephedra shouldn't come with a warning, or that

it might not be best for people who are extremely overweight or have other

extenuating circumstances.

But those individuals " will run into problems with just about anything, " he

says. And it doesn't mean you " ban something that works for the other 80

percent " of the population.

 

E-mail: rzaleski

 

Published: 9:59 AM 1/07/04

 

 

 

 

 

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