D-Ribose Powder - 300 Grams - Research

D-Ribose Powder

Ribose (or d-Ribose) is a simple sugar that the body synthesizes that is essential for the production of ATP, which is necessary to transport energy to cells and also to form DNA and RNA. Ribose is not found in significant amounts in food, and can only be synthesized by the body at a certain rate for use in the oxidative phosphorylation pathway that produces ATP.

Intense exercise and other stressors can increase the demand for ATP beyond the supply, thus putting strain on the processes that convert Ribose into energy and also leading to increased production of free radicals. Research suggests that supplemental Ribose fuels the metabolic pathways and can mitigate the cellular damage that may result from ongoing dysfunction in these processes.^1,4

The cycle of ATP deficiency also occurs when the tissue is stressed due to hypoxia or ischaemia (too little oxygen and restricted blood flow respectively). In a study published in 2003, patient groups experiencing congestive heart failure were administered placebo and Ribose. The group that was given Ribose exhibited improved diastolic function and reported improved quality of life in a questionnaire.²

Evidence suggests that increasing the amount of Ribose available can translate into enhanced muscular performance under exercise. A study of body builders taking Ribose over 4 weeks found an increase in strength and the total amount of exercise performed.³ Ribose decreases markers of oxidative stress in study of group exercising in low-oxygen environment. The group that was given 7 grams of Ribose before and after the study “…demonstrated beneficial trend in lower MDA and reduced glutathione levels during hypoxic stress."⁴

Ongoing chronic ATP deficiency and the side effects may be a factor in Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Supplementing with Ribose was found to significantly reduce a wide variety of symptoms in these patients. The parameters used to judge symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome in a recent pilot study were energy, sleep, mental clarity, pain, and overall well-being.⁵ Since some studies have speculated that abnormalities in the metabolic processes that produce energy in the muscles are an underlying factor in these syndromes, supplying d-Ribose to meet the increased demand of the muscles may be of particular benefit to persons with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

References:

1.Dodd SL, Johnson CA, Fernholz K, St Cyr JA. The role of ribose in human skeletal muscle metabolism. Med Hypotheses. 2004;62(5):819-24.

2.Omran H, Illien S, MacCarter D, St Cyr J, Lüderitz B. D-Ribose improves diastolic function and quality of life in congestive heart failure patients: a prospective feasibility study. Eur J Heart Fail. 2003 Oct;5(5):615-9.

3.Van Gammeren, D., Falk, D., and Antonio, J. The effects of four weeks of ribose supplementation on body composition and exercise performance in healthy, young, male recreational body builders: A double-blind, placebo controlled trial. Current Therapeutic Research, 2002, 63: 8, 486-495.

4.Seifert JG, Subudhi AW, Fu MX, Riska KL, John JC, Shecterle LM, St Cyr JA. The role of ribose on oxidative stress during hypoxic exercise: a pilot study. J Med Food. 2009 Jun;12(3):690-3.

5.Teitelbaum JE, Johnson C, St Cyr J. The use of D-ribose in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia: a pilot study. J Altern Complement Med. 2006 Nov;12(9):857-62.

Research Resource:

Use of d-Ribose in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: A Pilot Study

Role of Ribose in Human Skeletal Muscle

d-Ribose Improves Diastolic Function and Quality of Life in Congestive Heart Failure