D-Ribose is a sugar (derived from glucose) that has been shown to boost levels of the energy compound ATP. Some studies have shown that CFS patients have lower than normal levels of ATP and D-Ribose could be used to increase energy production in the muscles and heart.
The increased levels of ATP may help relieve fatigue by provide the muscles with extra energy. D-Ribose also helps the body to recycle ATP, and use its own energy it has more efficiently.
A study by well know chronic fatigue specialist Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, has shown D-ribose to improve sleep, fatigue, concentration, pain and well-being in patients.
The Study:
- There were 36 patients in this study
- The average age of the participants was 48 and was 78% female.
- The patients in this study took D-Ribose at a dose of 5 grams, three times each day.
Outcome:
- 69% of the 36 patients had significant improvement. They had 25% improvement in the quality of life, as compared to before the study.
Ribose has also been used in sports to enhance athletic ability. It can also be used to treat a genetic disorder called myoadenylate deaminase deficiency. In this disorder, a sufferer is deficient in an enzyme called AMP deaminase. A deficient person can have symptoms like energy problems and muscle cramping.
How is D-Ribose Ingested?
This substance can be taken in powder form and mixed into liquid like juice or water. It also can be given intravenously.
Recommended Dosages
The dosages doctors recommend can vary greatly. To enhance performance for athletics some have advised 5 grams daily. But for other medical issues like CFS or heart failure, some doctors have recommended 15-30 grams per day. Speak with your doctor before ingesting any supplements, including ribose.
Other Supplements That May Increase ATP
One supplement that may increase ATP is the antioxidant CoQ10. It is required by all cells to produce ATP inside the mitochondria. CoQ10 may be beneficial to people with certain medical conditions like heart failure. ATP is in very high demand in certain organs like the heart, so supplementation with ribose or CoQ10 has been shown to been helpful in improving “ischemic threshold” and enhancing “diastolic function” in certain studies.
Can this Supplement Increase Blood Sugar?
This substance is a sugar, so diabetics should be wary of how it can affect their bodies. There currently have not been any studies done on blood sugar and d-ribose, so it’s effect are not completely known.
Conclusion
The effectiveness of this supplement on patients with chronic fatigue syndrome seem to be mixed. Some have noticed improvement, while others notice no effect or jitteriness. It does not seem like this is the answer that CFS patients have been looking for, but it may provide some relief of symptoms like low energy.
Try our Sublingual Methyl B12 here, if you are looking to improve energy levels and concentration. It is one of the most effective supplements for CFS that we have seen, it is by no means a cure, but can help some symptoms.
Great replies here about Ribose. I tried it a few years ago, and for some reason it gave me weird brain symptoms. Felt a bit off/odd for some reason! Never heard of this in anyone before. Since then tho got full blown adrenal insufficiency and have been on hydrocortisone for 2.5 years. This unfortunately has made all my CFS symptoms worse, PARTICULARLY brain fog/dysfunction. I’m guessing it’s because of my poor liver detox/drug processing capability. Trying a few new things soon, and re-trying Ribose to see how it goes a few years later. I never got past 2-3 days because of the strange feelings. Hoping I can give it a full month or so and see if it improves things after that time as others above have mentioned. Worth it when nothing else helps much! Oh I must add that Methylation suppliments have helped me more than anything so far – especially DMG. I take it with B12/folic sublinguals. DMG really can help prevent the “CFS” crash and sustain energy longer. I’d def try it if you havent!
I tried d-ribose last summer and it didn’t help at all. I was fine beginning in Aug. of this year but I began crashing in late March. I’ve just recently seen an Endocrinologist who tested my vit. D, growth hormone, and I had the ACTH test – which all came back fine as usual. I was a bit upset with the endo. she basically told me this was all in my head. Especially when I told that I was taking anti-depressants for my CFS. Anyways, not sure what else to do. I’ve reduced my stress as much as I can. Does anyone have any other ideas?
Tried D-ribose for a few days and I don’t like it at all… making me light-headed and not giving me energy.. it might help some percentage of the population, but not all..
I have ME/CFS for 10 years plus…
I began taking D-Ribose Chewable 2 weeks ago. I am taking 1 to 2 of the recommended 3 times a day 1,500 mg. When I take one I have a 2-3 hour window of energy boost. Enough energy that I am now able to go to the gym and do a nice upper body workout. I seem not able to tolerate cardio type exercises like the exercise bike. The only cardio I can do without crashing is the Viper Rope Pull down machine. I am currently slowly building up with resistance bands and lite weight machines.
I am going into this because pre D-Ribose I could tolerate going to the gym maybe once a month if at all. In the 2 weeks on D-Ribose I have gotten to the gym twice each week.
Sleep – I am also sleeping better, instead of sleeping 2-3 hours at a time. I am now sleeping 4-6 hours at a time. Vast improvement,
Brain Fog – I am now able to focus better on a tasks.
I got the chewable from Puritan.com kind of icky tasting but it’s worth it. Will try pills next time.
RE: Anna S.- I also had polio at age 9 months. A couple of years ago I was ill with the flu. I thought I had overcome the flu within a week but it went stealth in my body-I also drank soy milk which I later found was contaminated with hexane. At any rate, I developed a myo-fascial condition which I am still overcoming gradually. In the past I found that whey, creatine, & glutamine made my muscles real strong but I am allergic to dairy products so could not continue this supplement. I have found the malic acid & Magnesium SRT, B vitamins, collagen, silica, spirulina, Bos-Cur and green tea theoflavins, MSM etc all helpful.
I have not tried the ribose yet. It seems odd to me and I wonder why that would be of more benefit than Niacin.
i have just started D-Ribose and it gives me an almost immediate mental clarity and focuse that I did not get with adderall. I have not yet tried for deep sleep nor for physical energy(hiking), however if it’s giving me the energy and clarity that i lacked i will continue to invrease the dose until I can find the correct dosage for me. I would imagine everyone’s reaction to be different, but at this time and 2 grams per day, I feel better.
I need to know if this weill affect my blood sugar as i am a type 2 diabetic and my sugar readings are high….i have tried the d-ribose before as i have fibromyalgia and it helped greatly, however i need to watch my blood sugar levels too…..can anyone shed some light on this????? Please?