By Dave Patania

Question: I have been taking the same supplement (ephedra/ephedrine) that the pro baseball player who died last week was taking. I have been using it for a few weeks and haven't seen great results, but I have had no ill effects. Should I stop taking it?

Answer: Yes. The most foolproof way to achieve the results you are looking for is through a systematic approach with five important components: strength training to add lean muscle tissue, aerobic work to condition the heart and lungs and to accelerate fat burning, proper nutrition to support workouts and recovery, stretching to prevent injury/increase blood flow and proper supplementation with no stimulants.

(Also, beware of products containing ma huang and even caffeine.)

From the weekend warrior to the professional athlete, people always are looking for the magic supplement or training technique that will take them to the top quickly.

I can tell you that there is nothing magic about a successful exercise, nutrition or supplementation program.

The human body is an amazing machine that has all the systems it needs to perform under many circumstances. External things such as supplements only aid in what the body does naturally.

Taking supplements without eating right or training hard won't win body builders or athletes championships.

If you look at people consistently at the top of their sport or activity, you will see people who work harder than everybody else.

Not to say that some champions don't take supplements, but without their hard work, any supplement they take is useless.

Taking a supplement such as ephedrine that artificially raises the heart rate and is touted as a great way to burn extra fat is foolish.

If you want to increase your heart rate and burn extra calories, challenge yourself to work harder than ever, dig deep, exercise with more intensity and frequency and eat more nutritionally.

Do it the right way and it will mean that much more when you achieve your goals.

No shortcuts!

Contact certified personal trainer Dave Patania by e-mail: davpatania@aol.com.