Ephedra
Ephedra, also known as the plant Ephedra sinica, was a popular ingredient in weight loss products for several years because of its stimulant and thermogenic effects before it became banned by the FDA partially in 1997 and fully in 2004. It is a well-known plant used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 5,000 years and known as ma huang. It was commonly stacked with aspirin and caffeine for weight loss causing an increase in the metabolism and increase in body heat. However, side effects from use may include irritability, nervousness, dizziness, headache, insomnia, intense perspiration, dehydration, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, and even heart attack, stroke, or death. This supplement received media attention when two professional athletes, who had used ephedra, died and ephedra was blamed for their deaths. Ephedra, although proven effective for weight loss, is now banned by the FDA and all sports organizations and is now secretly used by athletes similar to the use of steroids for a competitive edge.