ECA Stack

By Bill Willis, BSc, a PhD candidate at The Ohio State University.

Although quite a few supplements fit into the thermogenics category, the good old ECA stack (ephedrine, caffeine, and aspirin) started it all.

Thermogenic supplements act to increase fat burning by increasing your metabolic rate. As their name implies, thermogenic supplements work by causing your body to generate heat. This temperature elevation is very subtle and not dangerous. A small fraction of the energy you take in from food is wasted as heat rather than stored. In this way thermogenic agents increase the metabolism. Thermogenics also cause an increase in fat loss by encouraging fat cells to release fatty acids for energy, in addition to having a slight inhibitory effect on muscle loss.

Study-after-study has shown that you will loose less muscle and burn more fat (even while at rest) while on a thermogenic supplement.

Ephedra News Coverage

Ephedra is a controversial topic because ephedra receives bad press. Ephedra and ephedrine have been crucified by the media, in light of a few blatant cases of abuse out of the millions of people who have safely used these supplements.

Ephedra Safe

Ephedrine used to be the only good drug available for asthma. Ephedra, the herbal form of ephedrine, has been consumed for thousands of years by the Chinese. The truth is that ephedrine and ephedra-based products have a track record of safety which is far better than most other common over the counter supplements. Like anything else, if abused - especially in the context of a pre-existing condition which would contraindicate its use, ephedra could be dangerous, just as a quadruple dose of Tylenol is for somebody with an unknown liver condition.

Ephedra Ban Overturned

It is a little known fact that the recent FDA ban of ephedra was technically illegal. The laws for supplements are different than for drugs. In order for a drug to be approved, it must be proven safe. Conversely, in order for a supplement to be banned it must be proven harmful. There was absolutely no conclusive evidence that ephedra products are harmful- and the decision was overturned. Many supplement companies have discontinued the sales of ephedra containing products, mostly due to the fact that the brief FDA ban caused a large push for ephedra free products, some of which are extremely effective. Many people who are overly sensitive to ephedrine or cannot take it for medical reasons opt for the ephedra free thermogenic supplements.

Thermogenics are great for speeding up fat loss during a cutting cycle and can help you lift weights intensely in spite of lagging energy levels on a low calorie diet. Caution, do not take these supplements when trying to gain weight; doing so would make weight gain more difficult due to the calorie wasting effect.

  • Dosages
    • ECA stack: 25 mg ephedrine, 200 mg caffeine and 80 mg aspirin 3x/day
    • Herbal thermogenics, both with and without ephedra: follow the manufacturers guidelines

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