Doctor discusses risk of ephedra, benefit of colorectal exams
Q: It seems that ephedra is making a lot of headlines since the recent death of Baltimore Orioles pitching prospect Steve Bechler, but few of the stories even address if it works as a weight-loss supplement or not? A: “There is no proof that it works for long-term weight loss. Americans keep looking for a magic bullet to help them lose weight, but the truth is that only basic lifestyle changes in diet and exercise allow a person to lose weight and keep it off for the long term,” says Doug Heimburger, M.D. and professor of nutrition sciences at the University of Alabama.
Many people mistakenly believe since ephedra is “natural” it is safe to use and has no side effects. You should always consult with a doctor and discuss possible side effects before taking any drug or supplement.
“Since ephedra has amphetamine-type effects, people with high blood pressure, accelerated heart rates, or heart problems may be at higher risk. People succumb to heart conditions every day, but these supplements increases their chances for complications, even death,” says Dr. John Acquaviva, fitness consultant to HealthAtoZ.com and assistant professor of health and human performance at Roanoke College in Salem, Va.
Scott Jenkins, a clinical pharmacist for the Geisinger Health System in Pennsylvania, is one of many members of the medical community with concerns about people using ephedra products.
“Many of the patients using these products are in the high risk categories, meaning they’re at increased risks for negative effects – like hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disease. These products – mostly used for weight loss, fat burning, and increased energy – contain both ephedra and caffeine.
The source of ephedra, the Mahuang plant, produces three chemicals – ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine. All these products have the same plant source, so they act similarly and have the same inherent dangers and adverse effects.
“Even in healthy patients, these drugs have been shown to cause problems like higher blood pressure, increased heart rate, sudden death, or heart attacks. So people who use these supplements are increasing their chances of having something bad happen. While these products are ‘natural,’ they still have interactions with other drugs that are in a person’s body – like blood pressure medicines or decongestants – so we have a true concern that these products should not be on the market.”
Q: My wife is urging me to get a “colorectal” exam to make sure I don’t have cancer. Is this a necessary exam? I am so tired of getting poked and prodded during my annual check-ups.
A: Get the exam. Colorectal cancer, or cancer of the colon and rectum, is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and women in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates that 57,000 people will die from colorectal cancer this year, and another 147,000 people will be diagnosed with the disease.
Age is a major risk factor for colorectal cancer, with people who are age 50 and older accounting for more than 90 percent of new cases. Other risk factors include inflammatory bowel disease, a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps, a low-fiber and high-fat diet, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use.
Colorectal cancer typically starts as small, non-cancerous growths or polyps on the internal lining of the colon or rectum.
The use of regular screening tests increases the possibility of detecting – and removing – these polyps while they are still pre-cancerous or early stage cancer, and when they are most treatable.
“When caught early, colorectal cancer is highly curable,” says Robert J. Mayer, MD, and director of the Center for Gastrointestinal Oncology at Dana-Farber and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. “It is disheartening to know that the vast majority of colorectal cancer deaths in the United States could be prevented through the use of regular colorectal screenings. Yet, only one of three Americans presently uses these potentially life-saving screening tests.”
Common symptoms of colorectal cancer include: traces of blood in the stool, a change in bowel habits, constipation or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely, and unexplained weight loss.
People who experience any of these symptoms should notify their physician immediately.
In addition to undergoing regular screenings, people can reduce their risk of colorectal cancer by eating a balanced diet that places an emphasis on fruits and vegetables, having a physically active lifestyle, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting alcohol consumption.
For more information about colorectal cancer, go to the Dana-Farber web site, http://www.danafarber.org/colorectal.
(Send your questions to Steve Infanti at Wheeling Jesuit University, sinfanti@nttc.edu.)