Updated: September 26 2013
What Is It?
ECA-stack is used for synergistic fat and weight loss and as a stimulant. EC-stack is a variant, which removes the aspirin for those that can not tolerate it. ECA-stack is made of: - Ephedrine
- Caffeine
- Aspirin
Supplements.
1. Notable decrease in weight; there is both an increase in metabolic rate and a reduction in appetite; though unreliable. [1]
2. Notable increase in metabolic rate. [2,3]
3. Small decrease in pain in upper respiratory tract infections; probably due to aspirin. [4]
4. Small decrease in nasal congestion; probably due to ephedrine. [5]
5. Non-significant/no effect on blood pressure; but there might be some transient increases in blood pressure due to stimulatory effects of ephedrine and caffeine. [1]
6. Non-significant/no effect on heart rate (HR) but there might be some transient increases in heart rate due to stimulatory effects of ephedrine and caffeine. [1]
7. Non-significant/no effect on total cholesterol. [1]
8. Non-significant/no effect on blood glucose. [1]
9. Non-significant/no effect on insulin. [1]
Conclusion
It is an effective weight loss aid, but we do not recommend it due to some evidence of cardiovascular side effects (see below at Side Effect section).
Verdict: Not recommendedRecommended Dosage (Used in the Studies)
1. ECA-stack is taken in 6-8 week cycles
2. Start off small, then take the ECA-stack 3 times daily:
- Ephedrine: 70 mg total (daily)
- Caffeine: 600 mg total (daily)
- Aspirin: 81 mg (aspirin for babies) total (daily)
Where Can You Buy This Supplement?
Ephedra (ephedrine) is not sold anymore as a dietary supplement.
Side Effects of This Supplement
1. Ephedrine has been linked to heart attack, stroke, and death in healthy young people even at recommended doses. [6]
2. The risk of cardiovascular side effects have not been proven in controlled studies or when ECA was medically prescribed. [7,8]
References
1. Ephedrine, caffeine and aspirin: safety and efficacy for treatment of human obesity
2. Post-prandial thermogenesis with ephedrine, caffeine and aspirin in lean, pre-disposed obese and obese women
3. Aspirin potentiates the effect of ephedrine on the thermogenic response to a meal in obese but not lean women
4. Demonstration of the analgesic efficacy and dose-response of acetylsalicylic acid with pseudoephedrine
6. Christine A. Haller, M.D., and Neal L. Benowitz, M.D. "Adverse Cardiovascular and Central Nervous System Events Associated with Dietary Supplements Containing Ephedra Alkaloids3. Aspirin potentiates the effect of ephedrine on the thermogenic response to a meal in obese but not lean women
4. Demonstration of the analgesic efficacy and dose-response of acetylsalicylic acid with pseudoephedrine
7. C N Boozer1, P A Daly, P Home, J L Solomon, D Blanchard, J A Nasser, R Strauss and T Meredith "Herbal ephedra/caffeine for weight loss: a 6-month randomized safety and efficacy trial
8. Jesper Hallas, Lars Bjerrum, Henrik Støvring and Morten Andersen "Use of a Prescribed Ephedrine/Caffeine Combination and the Risk of Serious Cardiovascular Events: A Registry-based Case-Crossover Study"
8. Jesper Hallas, Lars Bjerrum, Henrik Støvring and Morten Andersen "Use of a Prescribed Ephedrine/Caffeine Combination and the Risk of Serious Cardiovascular Events: A Registry-based Case-Crossover Study"
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