Metabolife Fact Sheet
Metabolife 356 and Metab-O-lite are two of the mostpopular
dietary supplements on the market today.They are taken by
people who want to lose weight,boost their metabolism and
have more energy.
What are the ingredients?
According to product labels, both supplements containMa Huang,
a Chinese herb that contains ephedrinealkaloids, also known
as ephedra, plus similaramounts of vitamin E, magnesium, zinc
and chro-mium. Metabolife 356 contains both Ma Huang, orephedra,
plus guarana, which is an herbal source ofcaffeine. Metab-O-lite
contains ephedra but no caf-feine. Metab-O-lite Plus contains
both ephedra andcaffeine.Each Metabolife 356 tablet contains
12 milligrams ofephedrine alkaloids, plus 40 milligrams of
caffeine.Each caplet of Metab-O-lite contains 10 milligrams
ofephedra. Metab-O-lite Plus contains 10 milligrams ofephedra
and 30 milligrams of caffeine per caplet. Bothproducts also
contain a "proprietary blend" of assortedherbal
ingredients including: ginger root, lecithin,sarsparilla,
goldenseal, damiana, gotu kola, nettleleaf, royal jelly, bovine
complex, and bee pollen, butexact quantities of each are not
listed.
How do these products work?
Ma Huang, ephedrine, or ephedra is a central nervoussystem
stimulant that suppresses the appetite. Peoplewho take supplements
containing ephedra reportfeeling "jittery," or like
they have taken "speed," astreet term for amphetamine.
Caffeine is also astimulant, acting to "boost energy"
and extends thepotency of ephedra. The minerals and other
herbalingredients are not proven effective for weight loss
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