Ripped Fuel is a weight-loss, fat burning supplement sold by Twinlabs. Twinlabs is a company that specializes in multiple product lines including "Fuel" products. Fuel products are geared toward muscle building, weight management, increased endurance, faster recovery and sexual health. Within the "weight management" line of products there are multiple formulations of Ripped Fuel including Ripped Fuel Extreme, Ripped Fuel 5x, and Ripped Fuel Ephedra Free, which are promoted as intense fat burners. Please discuss the use of any supplements with your health care professional.
History
Ripped Fuel was originally sold containing ephedra, a stimulant which was a popular means of increasing the body's heart rate and metabolism to burn fat more efficiently. The product was based on the ECA (Ephedrine, Caffeine, Aspirin) stack without the aspirin and marketed to body builders. In 2004, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, banned the use of ephedrine compounds in dietary supplements, forcing companies like Twinlabs to alter their ingredients to make products safer.
Current Ingredients
There are a few different products within the "fuel" line that have small variations in their formulations. The ingredients vary depending on which you are using, but these ingredients work together to promote weight loss and muscle building: L-Phenylalinine, guarana extract, L-Carnitine, chromium, cayenne powder, ginger root powder, green tea leaf extract, cocoa seed extract, bitter orange fruit extract and
St. John's wort.
Benefits
With the current formulation of Ripped Fuel, the benefits of taking such supplements, according to the company, are increased energy, building muscle mass, increased fat burning and weight loss, along with a suppression of your appetite. These supplements are recommended to be used as directed, and in conjunction with a low-fat diet and exercise program.
Dangers and Side Effects
With the original formulation of Ripped Fuel, the dangers far outweighed the benefits of taking such supplements that contained ephedrine. With the current formulation, the main dangers includes increases in both your blood pressure and heart rate, which can have a direct deleterious effect on your health, especially for people with diagnosed and undiagnosed underlying heart disease, leading to heart attacks, strokes, and possibly death.
The increased insulin sensitivity caused by chromium can be harmful to diabetics who rely on close control of their sugar levels. Chromium may cause precipitous drops in blood sugar levels, resulting in seizures, irreversible brain damage, and possibly death. Side effects have been described as gastrointestinal upset such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, to blurred vision, palpitations or irregular heart beat and insomnia.
Warnings
Please be advised, there are a multitude of "get fit quick" supplements available. Please discuss the use of any supplements with you health care professional before using them. These supplements have not been approved for use while pregnant or breast feeding.
References
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Guidance for Industry: Final Rule Declaring Dietary Supplements Containing Ephedrine Alkaloids Adulterated Because They Present an Unreasonable Risk; Small Entity Compliance Guide
- Twin Labs Fuel Products
- U.S Food and Drug Administration: .ht
- California State University Northridge: Amphetamines
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine :Herbs at a Glance
- Physicians Desk References for Herbal Medicines, 2nd edition, 2000
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