Abstract : Mr. Chairman, we welcome the opportunity to submit testimony for the New York State Senate Committee on Consumer Protection on the dietary supplement ephedra. Key findings from our research: * Ephedra and ephedrine promote modest short-term weight loss; their long-term effect is unknown. * Ephedrine plus caffeine moderately boosts performance for fit young men; there is no evidence that ephedra or ephedrine improves long-term physical performance of athletes or would work for the general public. * Ephedra and ephedrine increase the risk of nausea, vomiting, jitteriness, and palpitations. * These products may be linked to catastrophic events such as sudden death, heart attack, or stroke.