ECA

    Researchedby:
    Kamal Patel
    Last Updated: October 13, 2024

    ECA stands for Ephedrine, Caffeine and Aspirin; these compounds were found to be synergistic for fat loss, and isolating ephedrine from the Ephedra sinicus plant and putting it into ECA appears to be quite an effective method of fat loss and neural stimulation.

    Summary

    The ECA stack is a commonly used fat burning stack consisting of Ephedrine, Caffeine, and Aspirin.

    The main component, Ephedrine, is the main active ingredient for weight loss and the caffeine augments its efficacy. The aspirin is added to prevent blood clotting (which may be a side effect of ephedrine) and to aid in the signal transduction of ephedrine via prostaglandin inhibition.

    Some proponents of the ECA stack recommend replacing the Aspirin in the stack with either Fish Oil or White willow bark, as Aspirin is linked to various organ side effects and the previous two compounds share the same anti-clotting mechanisms.

    Studies have shown that the combination of Ephedrine and Caffeine is superior for fat loss than taking each individually.[1][2][3] As ephedrine can increase heart rate and caffeine may increase blood pressure (in a naive user), the combination tends to have an additive rather than synergistic toxicological profile.[4]

    What are other names for ECA

    Note that ECA is also known as:
    • Ephedrine/Caffeine/Aspirin
    • ECA Stack
    • EC Stack

    Examine Database References

    1. Total cholesterol - Daly PA, Krieger DR, Dulloo AG, Young JB, Landsberg LEphedrine, caffeine and aspirin: safety and efficacy for treatment of human obesityInt J Obes Relat Metab Disord.(1993 Feb)
    2. Metabolic Rate - T J Horton, C A GeisslerPost-prandial thermogenesis with ephedrine, caffeine and aspirin in lean, pre-disposed obese and obese womenInt J Obes Relat Metab Disord.(1996 Feb)
    3. Pain - Schachtel BP, Voelker M, Sanner KM, Gagney D, Bey M, Schachtel EJ, Becka MDemonstration of the analgesic efficacy and dose-response of acetylsalicylic acid with pseudoephedrineJ Clin Pharmacol.(2010 Dec)
    4. Nasal Congestion - Loose I, Winkel MClinical, double-blind, placebo-controlled study investigating the combination of acetylsalicylic acid and pseudoephedrine for the symptomatic treatment of nasal congestion associated with common coldArzneimittelforschung.(2004)
    5. Metabolic Rate - Horton TJ, Geissler CAAspirin potentiates the effect of ephedrine on the thermogenic response to a meal in obese but not lean womenInt J Obes.(1991 May)