Maughan said the best sources are fresh fruits and vegetables. Many athletes have turned to dietary supplements to build muscle mass. One of the hottest new products is a combination of creatine and ephedrine, said Mark Myhal, an exercise physiologist. Creatine is a supplement that may help add muscle when taken in conjunction with a weight-training program, although some studies show it has little value. Ephedrine, which some people use for weight loss, is very similar to amphetamines, Myhal said.
Ephedrine is very hot.
It also can be dangerous. It can produce side effects including headache, gastrointestinal distress, irregular heartbeats, seizures and psychoses, Williams writes. It also has been linked to at least 17 deaths. If that is not enough to discourage you from using it, consider the fact that it's banned from most sports. Contributing to its decline was a study that showed it did not add muscle nor convert to testosterone.