ECA Stack by American Weight Loss Group

I first learned about the ECA stack back in the early 90's through an issue of MuscleMedia 2000. The article argued that a supplement could be made "dirt cheap" that was much more effective at burning fat than anything on the market. Few if any supplement companies were marketing an ECA supplement at the time--most "fat burners" being sold were fairly useless. The magazine provided the ECA formula, which research had demonstrated to be very effective. I tried it, and it worked--it greatly reduced my appetite, and I had plenty of energy to get through a diet.
 
The ECA stack then became extremely popular and was manufactured by several supplement companies. It was produced under the name "Ripped Fuel" (Twinlabs), "Xenadrine" (Cytodine), "Dymetadrine Xtreme" (AST), and "Metabolite" (Metabolite is not a full ECA stack, but it does contain ephedra extract in herbal form). One company even made a preworkout drink (Ultimate Orange) which contained ephedra extract alkaloids. I imagine all of these were fairly good formulas, but I still preferred to make my own ECA stack (I'll explain how and why later).
 
Now it has come full circle. A few highly publicized deaths have given ephedra extract a bad rap, and most supplement companies are avoiding it like the plague (and most of the current "ephedra free fat burners" are WORTHLESS). The FDA has now jumped on it and decided to ban it. I think the FDA is making a knee-jerk reaction based on questionable research. Having said this, it looks like the ban won't affect over the counter ephedra extract pills that I have always used for the stack.
 
The way ECA works:
 
The ECA stack is a fairly potent central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. The components work together synergistically; in other words, their combined effect is much greater than the effect of the individual components alone. The effects of the stack are: a major decrease in appetite, thermogenesis (creation of heat), which causes the body to burn more calories; increased fat burning and muscle sparing through the stimulation of beta-receptor sites.
 
The dosage for ECA:
 
25 mgs of ephedra extract and 200 mgs of caffeine are the central ingredients.
Aspirin is supposed to add to the stack's effectiveness by decreasing the body's natural resistance to the stimulant effects. The more I've researched, however, the less I'm convinced that it is necessary or helpful. I can only say from personal experience that aspirin seems to make little or no difference.
 
If you decide to use aspirin, I would recommend the smaller dosage/pills ("baby aspirin"). I think taking three adult aspirin a day for several days is not a good idea.
 
The stack can be taken 2-3 times a day, depending on one's tolerance. The first dose is usually taken in the morning, and subsequent doses are spread out over 4-6 hours. The ECA stack should never be taken late in the afternoon (after 3-4 p.m.) as this will cause insomnia.
 
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