Ephedra industry tries to allay fears

The ephedra industry is attempting to reassure consumers of the safety of the herb, taken to aid weight-loss, after reports in the national press last week linked ephedra supplements to the death of baseball player Steve Bechler.

The Baltimore Orioles pitcher died of heat stroke on Monday last week but medical reports suggest that an ephedra supplement, found in the player's locker, could be at least partly to blame.

Medical examiner Dr Joshua Perper suggested during a press conference last week that ephedra 'probably contributed' to the player's death, according to an Associated Press story. The supplement is thought by some to interfere with the body's heat regulation. Results from full investigations on the causes will not however be available for another two to three weeks.

According to the report, Perper said preliminary autopsy findings indicate the pitcher died from complications of heatstroke and that high blood pressure and liver abnormalities also contributed.

Industry commentators have since then been picking up on the other fatal factors in Bechler's death such as a history of hypertension and a possible diet.

Cytodyne Technologies, which makes the Xenadrine ephedra supplement reported to have been found in Bechler's locker, claims that several fellow Orioles players are still not against ephedra products. Orioles catcher Brook Fordyce is reported to have said about ephedra supplements: "It has no ill effect on me that I know of, and I use it safely. So if I was tired, I probably would take one, like if we had a day game after a night game. I'm not afraid of it."​

According to the company, Orioles' right fielder Jay Gibbons said he used a dietary supplement containing ephedrine to help lose around 15 pounds before the 2002 season. Gibbons said using ephedrine is safe, as long as people are careful to follow the warning labels.

The company also pointed to reports that the Orioles are trying to shift blame after some suggested that the pitcher was pushed too hard in workouts.

Industry body the Ephedra Education Council has called the link to the herb 'unsubstantiated'. Wes Siegner, general counsel of the EEC, said last week: "At this point, speculation surrounding his consumption of Ephedra is irresponsible. There is insufficient evidence that Mr Bechler used Ephedra or, if he did, that it contributed to his death in any way."​

"Professional athletes and trainers need to be aware of proper hydration and nutrition and the need to acclimatize to heat and humidity. They also need to be aware of their own physical limitations. Further, it's important to read and follow label instructions when consuming any health care product,"​ added the group.

The group continues to maintain that the herb is safe when used as directed. However ephedra is banned by many other sports leagues including the International Olympic Committee. Earlier this month we reported on research showing that although products containing ephedra accounted for less than 1 per cent of the herbal supplement sales in the United States in 2001, these products were responsible for 62 per cent of all herbal-related reports made to poison control centers that year.

A number of reports linking the supplement to death, heart attack, hypertension, stroke, and seizure has led the FDA to commission research on its safety.