I have done some reading and talked to some friends regarding an EC (ephedrine/caffein) stack as a fat burner. I have hit a plateu in my fat loss and it sounds like it may be good to try for a bit to shed some fat.
I am 6’4" 250lbs. I lift 5-6 days per week with free-weights and some machines. I do about 15 minutes for cardio per day if I have time.
Maintenance Calories have been calculated at 3,300 per day and I have tried keeping it around 2,500 per day for a deficit. I eat 230g of protein per day, 180g carbs, 113g fats.
I am down 15 lbs in 3 months, but like I said, have hit a plateu. My strength has nearly doubled from when I started back at the gym (begginers gains).
As the title of the thread is EC stack, I assume you’re not asking general diet question but specific to EC yes? Weight loss always plateaus after the initial drop. EC is generally safe (contrary to the anti EC hysteria) and effective if used correctly and you don’t have pre existing medical issues (high BP for example) that would make EC contraindicated for you. BUT, sounds to me like you’re experiencing normal slow down of weight loss and should shoot for 1-2lbs per week as a steady weight loss till you hit your goal.
Bro science likely. I have been reading sticky posts on bodybuilder.com and hotnfit.
And yes, Mr. Brink, I am asking about EC stack specifically. Having had asthma my entire life, I take Bronchaid periodically, but didn’t know I could stack it with caffeine on a daily routine for weight loss.
There was a number of studies that found EC effective for fat loss*. FYI: I cover those studies and discuss pros/cons, etc in my Fat Loss Revealed Program, and Skinny On Diet Supplements book:
= Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 1992 Apr;16(4):269-77.
The effect and safety of an ephedrine/caffeine compound compared to ephedrine, caffeine and placebo in obese subjects on an energy restricted diet. A double blind trial.
Astrup A, Breum L, Toubro S, Hein P, Quaade F.
Source
Research Department of Human Nutrition, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Abstract
The sympathomimetic agent ephedrine has potent thermogenic and anti-obesity properties in rodents. The effect is markedly enhanced by caffeine, while caffeine given alone has no effect. This study was undertaken to find out if a similar weight reducing synergism between ephedrine and caffeine is present in obese patients. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind study, 180 obese patients were treated by diet (4.2 MJ/day) and either an ephedrine/caffeine combination (20mg/200mg), ephedrine (20 mg), caffeine (200 mg) or placebo three times a day for 24 weeks. Withdrawals were distributed equally in the four groups, and 141 patients completed the trial.
Mean weight losses was significantly greater with the combination than with placebo from week 8 to week 24 (ephedrine/caffeine, 16.6 +/- 6.8 kg vs. placebo, 13.2 +/- 6.6 kg (mean +/- s.d.), P = 0.0015). Weight loss in both the ephedrine and the caffeine groups was similar to that of the placebo group.
Side effects (tremor, insomnia and dizziness) were transient and after eight weeks of treatment they had reached placebo levels. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure fell similarly in all four groups. We conclude, that in analogy with animal studies, the ephedrine/caffeine combination is effective, while caffeine and ephedrine separately are ineffective for the treatment of human obesity.
I buy a box of 60 tabs and they record who I am at the pharmacy. I have asthma though, so they couldn’t argue if they wanted to; all my prescriptions get filled there.
True but when the common OTC products are dosed with 12.5mg of E it doesnt lend much room for exact dosing. Yes, you can split the tabs in half but again, its not exact.
