A herbal supplement which is to be banned in the US following the death of an athlete will still be available in Bermuda stores.

But Health Minister Patrice Minors has said Government will be keeping a watching brief on the availability and labelling of Ephedra on the Island.

And one health food store owner said the product will probably die a natural death because of the US ban.

Earlier this week, US health officials announced a ban on Ephedra in the States following an inquiry into the weight-loss supplement, claiming it could cause heart attacks and strokes ? the ban will come into effect in two months time.

In a statement yesterday, Ms Minors said: "Because of the difficulty in listing the multiple products which contain Ephedra and other potentially damaging ingredients, and the many international jurisdictions from which herbal remedies originate, there has been little attempt worldwide to provide adequate research and to regulate their use. But, the Bermuda Department of Health will continue to review the various issues of Ephedra and other herbal products."

The Minister said although Ephedra had been described as a natural herbal product,it can cause a dangerous surge in blood pressure if taken by someone who is also taking certain heart or migraine prescription medications, MAO inhibitors or if it is combined with caffeine drinks such as coffee.

Ms Minors warned the public to be aware that many "natural" herbal remedies and supplements were not natural to the body.

"When combined with other substances including prescription medications, or taken by persons who have existing medical conditions, they may actually cause serious harm," she continued.

Ephedra is often included in many over-the-counter diet pills, sports drinks and energy boosters. Xenadrine-RFA-1, Ultimate Orange, Metabolife, Ripped Fuel, Thermoblast and Hydroxycut are just some of the products that contain Ephedra.

Down to Earth health food store owner Antoinette Daniels told : "The US has previously been discouraging the selling and manufacturing of it and we buy it from the US so, it is very difficult to obtain. We don't sell much of it here and I am assuming it will die a natural death due to the ban in the US.

"The Chinese have been using Ephedra (Ma Huang) for over 5,000 years for respiratory problems, but many people do not take it as directed."

A Bermuda Government nutritionist told : "We have worked with consumer affairs to produce a booklet called 'Your Health, Your Choice' that lists a number of herbs that are not safe."

Ephedra is featured in the booklet.

"Possible side effects are also in the booklet as well as medications that do not mix well with certain herbs," the nutritionist added.

'Your Health, Your Choice' has been available from Consumer Affairs since April.

The nutritionist said: "It is difficult to ban something in Bermuda that has been shipped from overseas because we don't have jurisdiction over products that enter Bermuda."

"Dr. John Cann (Chief Medical Officer) is the one who would make the decision to ban a product," said the nutritionist.

Dr. Cann is currently off the Island.