Web Project-Chem 110

Maria Higgins

April 24, 2000

Dietary supplements have flooded the healthcare market. They are not restricted to specialty stores; they can be found in your neighborhood supermarket or Wal-Mart. Everywhere you go you can find some kind of herb or herbal product that claims to help you lose weight. These products can credit their popularity to their fast results, but all natural doesn’t necessarily mean all healthy.

Ripped Fuel is Twinlab’s latest contribution to the thermogenic fat burner market. It can be bought online in either capsule or powder form. Ripped Fuel claims to boost your energy using herbal supplements while also absorbing the fat, allowing body builders to complete rigorous workouts every day. The general public uses Ripped Fuel to give them an extra energy boost to get through the day and to help them lose weight. Ripped Fuel gains appeal with its quick results; some users report increased definition in a week (Nutritional Supplements).

Two capsules of Ripped Fuel equal one serving. One serving is taken in the morning on an empty stomach, and another serving can be taken before meals in the afternoon or evening. Each serving contains 20mg of ephedrine, 200mg of caffeine, 100mg of L-Carnitine, 200mcg of Chromium Picolinate, and 100 mg of Potassium and Magnesium. Ripped Fuel gets its ephedrine and caffeine from the herbal sources, Ma Huang and Guarana respectively (Muscle Dawg).

One of the problems with Ripped Fuel and other dietary supplements is that people are not aware of the risks. Anything natural has to be good for your body, right? Wrong, because it is sold in health food stores people believe it is safe. It is also sold under other herbal product names, confusing most consumers. Ephedrine is an important ingredient of Ripped Fuel, responsible for many dangerous side effects. Anyone considering taking Ripped Fuel should be aware of fatalities linked to Ripped Fuel and ephedrine. The FDA reports that there have been at least 16 deaths and 600 reported injuries linked to ephedrine toxicity (Yashiro). A 23 year-old Tufts University student’s death was linked to ephedrine toxicity. Empty containers of Ripped Fuel prompted the medical examiner to investigate the student’s unexpected death. An examination of the cross-section of the heart tissue showed that a combination of ephedrine and caffeine caused the heart muscle to beat irregularly and eventually stop (Yashiro). Side effects can vary due to intake and the one’s body. Serious injuries can occur in low doses (Coleman).

Ephedrine is obtained from the plant Ephedra equisetina and stimulates the central nervous system. Labels with ma huang, Chinese ephedra, ma huang extract, ephedra, Ephedra sinica, ephedra extract, ephedra herb powder, and epitonin all indicate the presence of ephedrine (HHS News). It is closely related structurally to methamphetamine, but it is less potent and longer lasting. As a stimulant it is similar, but less powerful than epinephrine or adrenaline. Ephedrine can also be used to make speed and is considered the botanical equivalent to ecstasy. Ecstasy is the street name for MDMA (4-methyl-2, dimethoxyamphetamine) (HHS News).

Ephedrine has a range of uses such as relief for mild asthma attacks, nasal congestion, and to treat low blood pressure. The caffeine in Ripped Fuel enhances the effects of ephedrine (Gorski). Common side effects are rapid pulse, restlessness, insomnia, and in overdose cases extremely high blood pressure and irregular heart beat (Coleman). The therapeutic dose maximum is 60 mg, while dangerous amounts would be in the 100-120 mg range. The FDA recommends a maximum dose of 24mg of ephedrine daily and supplements should not contain more than 8mg of ephedrine per serving. The FDA also discourages use longer than one week (Coleman, HHS News). Long term use can put the heart under a fatal amount of stress.

Ephedrine works by stimulating the alpha and beta-receptors, causing the release of norepinephrine. The receptors are located in the sympathetic nervous system so that stimulation causes an increased heart rate, bronchodilation, and vasoconstriction (HHS News). Although many athletes use ephedrine products, there is no evidence that ephedrine-containing substances enhance one’s athletic abilities (Coleman).

Ephedrine can be purchased over the counter, but do to its stimulating effects it is not put on display (Cox, Jacobs, LeBlanc, Marshman, and Fehr). The FDA wants consumers to be aware of the dangers of these natural substances and their dangerous side effects. Twenty-one states have passed regulations regarding ephedrine-containing products. Regulations include requiring products available by prescription only, making the products controlled substances, and prohibiting weight loss, appetite control, or stimulant claims on the labels (Coleman).

Ripped Fuel has had an effect on many consumers, but everybody is different. Ephedrine is an important component of Ripped Fuel that can cause serious side effects. One needs to consider the pros and cons with taking supplements and the long-lasting effects it could have on you body. A healthy diet and exercise are still the best way to lose weight and stay healthy.

Coleman, Ellen, RD, MA, MPH. "Frequently Asked Questions: Ephedrine." Health Care

Reality Check. http://www.hcrc.org/faqs/ephedrine.html

Cox, Jacobs, LeBlanc, Marshman, and Fehr. Drugs and Drug Abuse, 2^nd ed. 1987.

www.ephedra.demon.nl/stories/ephedrine2.html

Gorski, Tim, M.D. "All Natural Products Can Kill." Healthy Skepticism. May 1996.

http://www.hcrc.org/contrib/gorski/nts96-05.html

HHS News, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "FDA Proposes Safety

Measures for Ephedrine Dietary Supplements." June 2, 1997.

http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/hhsephed.html

HHS News. "FDA Statement on Street Drugs Containing Botanical Ephedrine." April 10,

1996. http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/`lrd/hhsephe1.html

Muscle Dawg home page. http://www.muscledawg.com/products/sports/TL_RippedFuel.asp

Nutritional Supplements home page. http://www.nutritionalsupplements.com/indexrf.html

Yashiro, Fumi. "Tufts student death linked to protein drink." The Tufts Daily. October 7,

1996. http://www.tufts.edu/as/stu-org/tuftsdaily/archives/fall96/features/F1007DR~.html