Ripped Fuel capsules are a thermogenic product, or a supplement that helps you burn body fat. The active ingredients in Ripped Fuel are ma haung extract, guarana extract, L-carnitine and chromium. Each compound serves a slightly different purpose, from stimulants to glucose disposal agents. These products, particularly the stimulants, can have a variety of effects on your body. Consult your physician before taking any supplement.
Ma Haung Extract
Ma Haung is the Chinese name for the herb ephedrine. Ephedrine constricts blood vessels and stimulates your cardiovascular system. Due to the stimulant effects of ephedra, it is considered a performance-enhancing drug by most athletic organizations and is banned accordingly. Side effects from ephedra use range from dizziness and shakiness to hypertension and irregular hearbeat. Several studies have shown the effectiveness of ephedra as a weight loss aid. Ephedra was ruled illegal for sale by the FDA on April 12, 2004.
Guarana
Guarana is the herbal form of caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant, or methylxanthine. Guarana is a type of berry that produces caffeine, much like the coffee plant and tea bush. Caffeine exhibits a direct effect on the brain as a psychomotor stimulant. Caffeine has also been used effectively in therapuetic trials as a weight-loss agent. This ability appears to function more effectively when utilized in combination with ephedrine, and for this reason the two were often combined in the past.
L-carnitine
L-carnitine is an amino acid that works within your cells to transport fatty acids for metabolism. This amino acid is critical to metabolic function. While you can get l-carnitine from most protein sources in sufficient quantity, its inclusion in weight loss supplements may be due to its role as a glucose disposal agent. While it has been theorized that l-carnitine suppelementation can help with fat loss, no peer-reviewed research exists to support this theory.
Chromium
Like l-carnitine, chromium can function as a glucose disposal agent. Glucose disposal agents help to regulate blood sugar levels, and this is most notable in individuals with patients suffering from an insulin-related metabolic disorder such as diabetes. While chromium deficiency can be a serious illness, it is extremely rare and most people consuming a balanced diet have nothing to worry about. A review of literature reveals that even supplementing with large quantities of chromium does not lead to weight loss.
References
- "International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders"; Safety and Efficacy of Long-term Treatment with Ephedrine, Caffeine and an Ephedrine/Caffeine Mixture; S Toubro, et al.; February 1993
- FDA: U.S. Food and Drug Administration: "FDA Announces Rule Prohibiting Sale of Dietary Supplements Containing Ephedrine Alkaloids Effective April 12"
- "Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences"; Caffeine as a Psychomotor Stimulant: Mechanism of Action; G. Fisone, et al.; August 2004
- "Endocrine Practice"; Treatment of Hypothalamic Obesity with Caffeine and Ephedrine; F.L. Greenway, et al.; September 2008
- "Journal of the American College of Nutrition"; L-carnitine Improves Glucose Disposal in Type 2 Diabetic Patients; G. Mingrone, MD, PhD, FACN, et al.; 1999
- "Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine"; A Pilot Study of Chromium Picolinate for Weight Loss; Y. Yazaki et al., March 2010
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