High efficiency
The components of the drug have been subjected to a wide variety of studies. An assessment was made of how effective ephedrine is in the absence of training. As a result, the group of subjects without physical activity lost virtually no weight. But when ECA was combined with treadmill training, fat was burned up to 5 times more efficiently.
After completing a full course of taking ECA, subject to training and proper diet, the fat content can be reduced from 30 percent to 20. Moreover, the result is not affected by weight. Much more important is how intensely an athlete trains. Those taking ECA who had not previously used the drug and had virtually no sports training experienced less effect. This is due to a lower level of physical activity, due to which excess energy is converted back into fat.
Benefits of ECA
Of the numerous fat burners on the market, you can find safer ones, but ECA still holds the leading position. The reason for this is that other drugs also use caffeine as an active ingredient. Therefore, the side effects from their use often outweigh the possible harm from taking ECA. In this case, the effect will be much smaller.
Another option for weight loss is special supplements, such as antioxidants. Among them, L-carnitine, developed as an alternative to ECA, has gained particular popularity. It does work, but less efficiently. Due to the low release rate, you can lose a maximum of 10 grams of fat in one workout. Efficiency also decreases due to the fact that predominantly glycogen reserves are used.
Thus, ECA is superior to other fat burners in terms of safety and effectiveness.
How does the drug work?
Ingredient | Operating principle |
Ephedrine | This is a high power thermogenetic. It is able to force the body to use lipid energy sources and triggers ketosis. |
Caffeine | This powerful energy drink replaces adrenaline. It stimulates intensive energy consumption and allows you to more efficiently spend the excess energy released from lipolysis. |
Aspirin | Thanks to the presence of this substance, the risk of side effects from taking caffeine and ephedrine is significantly reduced. Blood thinning occurs, and those who play sports professionally are less likely to suffer from a stroke. |
Simply put, these ingredients work best when combined, and here's why. First of all, ephedrine is involved, which, in combination with sugar, ensures the flow of insulin into the blood, as a result of which fat cells open. After this, caffeine begins to act, acting as pseudo-adrenaline. When it enters the bloodstream, it turns into the simplest glucose, which circulates, providing an elevated mood and a large amount of energy for the whole day. In addition, under the influence of caffeine, the heart accelerates a little, and this leads to an increase in the intensity of calorie loss. The next stage of the effects of ECA is rapid fat loss, provided there is sufficient physical activity. If all the excess energy is spent as a result of training, and this happens during intense cardio exercise, up to 250 grams of fat are lost per session. When not all the energy released under the influence of the drug is spent, it gradually turns back into adipose tissue.
Taking into account the described features of the effects of ECA, we can conclude that the drug is ineffective without serious physical activity.
And a little more information about the principle of operation of the product. Among all permitted diuretics, one of the leaders in power is caffeine. Its effect on the body is enhanced by ephedrine, resulting in an increase in body temperature, given the presence of excess energy. This, in turn, stimulates the breakdown of fat and sweating during sports. Such processes lead to severe dehydration, and therefore it is necessary to train, drinking much more water in the process than in the absence of physical activity.
If you neglect this rule and do not pay enough attention to maintaining the water-salt balance, thickening of the blood occurs, as a result of which clots may appear and blockage of blood vessels. It is in order to avoid this that ECA contains aspirin. It does not directly affect the fat burning process, but stabilizes the reaction to other components of the drug.
Why are many fat burners outdated?
The range of fat burners is expanding. However, those who plan to lose weight with their help need to choose the drug and the website selling it wisely. Even from what was recently developed and released onto the market, much can be considered obsolete by at least 5 years. Most sites offer users exactly such products.
It's all in the composition. ECA continues to be the most effective remedy. Other fat burners, although positioned by advertisers as less safe, are based on the same caffeine, but without ephedrine and aspirin. That is, they are not as effective and, judging by the composition, may be more dangerous to health than the described, proven remedy for years.
Here are only working fat burners >>
Why is aspirin included in the drug?
The original ECA formula did not include aspirin. It was added in one study conducted at the University of Massachusetts. It has been suggested that it may help prolong the effect of ephedrine and increase the intensity of fat burning. But the experiment showed that aspirin does not give such a result. Despite this, the substance has remained in the product for fifteen years. This is due to the presence of other significant benefits from aspirin. It reduces the risk of side effects from taking ephedrine and caffeine, such as dehydration, and relieves headaches caused by the vascular response to intense removal of caffeine from the blood.
Menu (Meal Schedule)
Sample menu for the day (1200 calories)
Breakfast |
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Snack |
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Dinner |
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Afternoon snack |
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Dinner |
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Change in composition due to the ban on ephedrine
Recently, one of the elements included in the original composition of ECA has been banned in Russia and some neighboring countries. We are talking about ephedrine, the circulation of which was limited due to its use in the creation of a powerful narcotic drug called “screw”. It is similar in structure to cocaine, but does much more harm. Previously, ephedrine was freely sold in pharmacies at a low price, so the screw became widespread. It killed over 12 thousand people a year. In this regard, ephedrine was classified as a narcotic substance and banned.
It was possible to continue the production of ECA thanks to the appearance on the market of an alternative to ephedrine, “ephedra extract.” This highly purified substance is only marginally inferior to the pure element when it comes to promoting weight loss. Its effectiveness is only 20 percent lower than that of ephedrine. But it should be noted that when taking the drug in a new formulation, you must especially carefully follow the dosage instructions. If it is exceeded, side effects from ephedrine extract are possible, which have not yet been sufficiently studied.
Side effects and contraindications
The dangers of taking caffeine and ephedrine have been greatly exaggerated, but in some cases they should still be avoided.
- When kidney function is impaired.
- For problems in the gastrointestinal tract, including ulcers.
- If there is no physical activity.
- In case of water-salt imbalance.
- In case of intolerance to any component.
- When there is excessive excitability.
- In case of disturbances in the functioning of the heart or blood vessels.
- If your blood pressure is not normal.
- In the middle of the menstrual cycle.
- During pregnancy.
- While breastfeeding.
These contraindications are due to such side effects of the drug.
- The load on the heart increases, which leads to increased blood pressure.
- The kidneys and the urinary system as a whole are significantly stressed due to the high intensity with which water circulates in the body.
- Ephedrine and caffeine irritate the digestive system, releasing acid, which can worsen the condition of ulcer patients.
- The water-salt balance changes due to increased sweating. You should consume at least 2 grams of salt or another sodium-containing substance daily, as well as up to 4 liters of water.
It should be noted that the harm from taking a combination of caffeine and ephedrine is greatly exaggerated. An analysis of the results of the use of the drug by athletes showed that side effects, provided that the dosages were strictly followed, appeared only in 6 percent of cases of taking the ECA fat burner.
Where can I buy it?
It is not possible to purchase this combination with one drug.
There are two options
- Buy ECA ready-made from sellers who deal with sports nutrition. But of course, this purchase will be unofficial, since one of the components, ephedrine, is prohibited in sports medicine.
- Buy it yourself. There will be no problems purchasing aspirin and caffeine, since these drugs are sold in pharmacies without a prescription. But with ephedrine it will be more complicated. Since many drugs containing it have been discontinued.
However, you can find it in the cough syrup Bronholitin.
How to use the drug?
It is important to know: the intensity of use of the product is in no way related to the fat content in the body and total body weight. Therefore, exceeding the dose does not allow you to lose weight faster. Before starting to use ECA, you should consult your doctor and undergo a medical examination.
Since the drug contains caffeine and ephedrine, it is necessary to stop drinking tea and coffee for a while. Otherwise, an overdose of caffeine may occur, leading to increased sensitivity of the body to ephedrine. And this, in turn, increases the chances of side effects.
The course of taking the drug is as follows.
- Ephedrine – 25 mg.
- Caffeine and aspirin – 250 mg each.
If you do not have headaches, or you are taking a reduced dose of the drug, you do not need to use aspirin. The most important thing is not to deviate from the proportion 1:10:10. The duration of taking the drug is a maximum of 14 days. If ECA is used longer, the body develops tolerance to its components, which leads to the need to increase the dose. This means that the load on the heart will increase. The daily norm is up to 3 servings, the first of which is taken after the morning meal, the second before training (40 minutes), and the third after it (20-30 minutes).
It is necessary to remember: ECA is a potent energy drink, the intake of which can lead to sleep disturbances. Therefore, you should avoid taking ephedrine in combination with caffeine after 6 pm. The effect of the drug lasts up to 7 hours.
Authorized Products
The ECA diet is considered low-calorie (800-1200 calories per day), it must contain:
- protein - dietary meat, cottage cheese, legumes, eggs (at least 1 g of pure protein must be supplied per 1 kg of body weight, otherwise muscle tissue will breakdown and heart disease will develop);
- complex carbohydrates - porridge with water and milk, bread, rye toast, vegetables prepared in the form of salads, stews and soups;
- healthy polyunsaturated fats in small quantities, for example, you need to eat nuts, fatty sea fish such as grilled trout or baked mackerel, cook vegetables with the addition of unrefined vegetable oil, low-fat fermented milk products and cheeses;
- vitamins and minerals - of course, you can take a vitamin-mineral complex , or you can enrich your food with healthy fruits, herbs and generally try to diversify your diet.
Table of permitted products
Proteins, g | Fats, g | Carbohydrates, g | Calories, kcal | |
Vegetables and greens | ||||
green peas | 5,0 | 0,2 | 13,8 | 73 |
broccoli | 3,0 | 0,4 | 5,2 | 28 |
cilantro | 2,1 | 0,5 | 1,9 | 23 |
bulb onions | 1,4 | 0,0 | 10,4 | 41 |
carrot | 1,3 | 0,1 | 6,9 | 32 |
salad pepper | 1,3 | 0,0 | 5,3 | 27 |
arugula | 2,6 | 0,7 | 2,1 | 25 |
salad | 1,2 | 0,3 | 1,3 | 12 |
celery | 0,9 | 0,1 | 2,1 | 12 |
asparagus | 1,9 | 0,1 | 3,1 | 20 |
tomatoes | 0,6 | 0,2 | 4,2 | 20 |
dill | 2,5 | 0,5 | 6,3 | 38 |
beans | 7,8 | 0,5 | 21,5 | 123 |
zucchini | 1,5 | 0,2 | 3,0 | 16 |
spinach | 2,9 | 0,3 | 2,0 | 22 |
Fruits | ||||
oranges | 0,9 | 0,2 | 8,1 | 36 |
bananas | 1,5 | 0,2 | 21,8 | 95 |
grapefruit | 0,7 | 0,2 | 6,5 | 29 |
kiwi | 1,0 | 0,6 | 10,3 | 48 |
lemons | 0,9 | 0,1 | 3,0 | 16 |
tangerines | 0,8 | 0,2 | 7,5 | 33 |
apples | 0,4 | 0,4 | 9,8 | 47 |
Berries | ||||
blueberry | 1,0 | 0,0 | 8,2 | 35 |
raspberries | 0,8 | 0,5 | 8,3 | 46 |
blueberry | 1,1 | 0,4 | 7,6 | 44 |
Nuts and dried fruits | ||||
candied fruit | 2,0 | 1,0 | 71,0 | 301 |
dried fruits | 2,3 | 0,6 | 68,2 | 286 |
raisin | 2,9 | 0,6 | 66,0 | 264 |
Pine nuts | 11,6 | 61,0 | 19,3 | 673 |
hazelnut | 16,1 | 66,9 | 9,9 | 704 |
Cereals and porridges | ||||
buckwheat porridge with milk | 4,2 | 2,3 | 21,6 | 118 |
oatmeal | 3,2 | 4,1 | 14,2 | 102 |
cornflakes | 6,9 | 2,5 | 83,6 | 363 |
brown rice | 7,4 | 1,8 | 72,9 | 337 |
Bakery products | ||||
rye crackers | 16,0 | 1,0 | 70,0 | 336 |
vysivkovy bread | 9,0 | 2,2 | 36,0 | 217 |
Rye bread | 6,6 | 1,2 | 34,2 | 165 |
whole grain bread | 10,1 | 2,3 | 57,1 | 295 |
Dairy | ||||
milk 1% | 3,3 | 1,0 | 4,8 | 41 |
kefir 2% | 3,4 | 2,0 | 4,7 | 51 |
natural yogurt 2% | 4,3 | 2,0 | 6,2 | 60 |
Cheeses and cottage cheese | ||||
alpine cheese | 25,0 | 27,0 | 0,0 | 353 |
Chees Feta | 17,0 | 24,0 | 0,0 | 290 |
cottage cheese 0.6% (low fat) | 18,0 | 0,6 | 1,8 | 88 |
Meat products | ||||
boiled beef | 25,8 | 16,8 | 0,0 | 254 |
boiled veal | 30,7 | 0,9 | 0,0 | 131 |
Bird | ||||
boiled chicken breast | 29,8 | 1,8 | 0,5 | 137 |
steamed chicken breast | 23,6 | 1,9 | 0,0 | 113 |
boiled turkey fillet | 25,0 | 1,0 | — | 130 |
Eggs | ||||
omelette | 9,6 | 15,4 | 1,9 | 184 |
boiled chicken eggs in a bag | 12,7 | 11,5 | 0,7 | 157 |
hard-boiled chicken eggs | 12,9 | 11,6 | 0,8 | 160 |
Fish and seafood | ||||
boiled pink salmon | 22,9 | 7,8 | 0,0 | 168 |
dorado | 18,0 | 3,0 | 0,0 | 96 |
boiled catfish | 15,5 | 5,8 | 0,0 | 114 |
boiled mullet | 19,0 | 4,3 | 0,0 | 115 |
Oils and fats | ||||
unrefined vegetable oil | 0,0 | 99,0 | 0,0 | 899 |
olive oil | 0,0 | 99,8 | 0,0 | 898 |
* data is per 100 g of product
conclusions
Taking ECA can provide a loss of up to 30 kg of fat with almost complete preservation of muscle mass. However, it is important to take into account the fact that, as a non-professional athlete, you may be more likely to suffer side effects than lose weight. Therefore, it is necessary to first consult a doctor and agree on the dosage with him. In addition, you need the help of a professional trainer who will select the optimal loads.