Ripped Fuel -- also known as Ripped Fuel Extreme -- is a weight loss supplement marketed by TwinLab Corporation as a way to help you quickly lose weight while maintaining lean muscle mass. Although Ripped Fuel contains a number of ingredients that the manufacturers claim are safe, proven ways to boost your metabolism, health and nutrition, professionals disagree: not only is there little scientific evidence to back Ripped Fuel, there are a number of potential dangers associated with its use, as with any unregulated dietary supplement.
How It Works
According to TwinLab, taking two Ripped Fuel capsules twice daily will kick your fat-burning metabolism into high gear, making you better able to get rock-hard abs. The capsules contain a mix of herbal ingredients encased in a gluten-free, gelatin and rice flour-based clear shell; TwinLab claims these ingredients -- including one they describe only as a patent-pending proprietary blend -- can specifically target hard-to-lose areas of fat, increase your energy, suppress your appetite, promote muscle endurance during exercise and stimulate your body to burn calories more efficiently.
Ingredients
Ripped Fuel contains eight main ingredients: calcium carbonate, chromium polynicotinate, cocoa seed extract, green tea leaf extract, caffeine, L-carnitine, cayenne fruit extract and a proprietary herbal extract. The L-carnitine and caffeine are included as fat-burners, appetite suppressants and as a source of extra energy. The cayenne fruit, cocoa fruit and green tea leaf extracts are believed to have thermogenic qualities that stimulate your metabolism. Chromium is included as a way of stabilizing blood sugar and preventing food cravings; calcium is a mineral essential to proper muscle function. TwinLab does not include information about its herbal extract except to note that it contains 60 percent b-ring flavonoid compounds and 10 percent flavan compounds from baical skullcap root and black catechu bark.
Warnings
Do not use Ripped Fuel Extreme supplements if you have a chronic medical condition -- particularly if you are required to use prescription medication or if the problem involves your digestive system; if you are under the age of 18; or if you are a woman who is either pregnant or nursing. If you consume caffeinated products while taking Ripped Fuel, you may suffer from side effects such as insomnia, heart palpitations, anxiety and irritability.
Expert Insight
Mayo Clinic.com advises that over-the-counter weight loss supplements like Ripped Fuel contain ingredients for which clinical scientific evidence that they can help you safely lose weight and gain lean, hard muscle is lacking. Additionally, Ripped Fuel is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration for safety, purity or overall effectiveness. Your best bet for sustainable weight loss is to implement lifestyle changes that incorporate regular exercise and healthy, low-fat, low-calorie foods. Speak to your doctor before making Ripped Fuel -- or any other weight loss supplement -- a part of your diet plans.
Member Comments