DRIBOSE RESEARCH studies

1.Study

D Ribose Research and heart disease
Ischemic heart disease: metabolic approaches to management.

Clin Cardiol. 2004 Aug;27(8):439-41.

The number of patients with coronary artery disease and its risk factors is increasing in Western nations. New treatments for these patients may soon include a class of agents known as the metabolic modulators. This group of agents consists of the partial fatty acid oxidation inhibitors trimetazidine and ranolazine, as well as dichloroacetate, which promotes carbohydrate utilization. Metabolic modulators also include the nutriceuticals L-carnitine and D-ribose. The available evidence regarding the benefits of each of these five agents is reviewed.

D-Ribose improves diastolic function and quality of life in congestive heart failure patients: a prospective feasibility study.

2.Study

Eur J Heart Fail. 2003 Oct;5(5):615-9.

Patients with chronic coronary heart disease often suffer from congestive heart failure (CHF) despite multiple drug therapies. D-Ribose has been shown in animal models to improve cardiac energy metabolism and function following ischemia. This was a prospective, double blind, randomized, crossover design study, to assess the effect of oral D-ribose supplementation on cardiac hemodynamics and quality of life in 15 patients with chronic coronary artery disease and CHF. The study consisted of two treatment periods of 3 weeks, during which either oral D-ribose or placebo was administered followed by a 1-week wash out period, and then administration of the other supplement. Assessment of myocardial functional parameters by echocardiography, quality of life using the SF-36 questionnaire and functional capacity using cycle ergometer testing was performed. The administration of D-ribose resulted in an enhancement of atrial contribution to left ventricular filling, a smaller left atrial dimension and a shortened E wave deceleration by echocardiography. Further, D-ribose also demonstrated a significant improvement of the patient's quality of life. In comparison, placebo did not result in any significant echocardiographic changes or in quality of life. This feasibility study in patients with coronary artery disease in CHF revealed the beneficial effects of D-ribose by improving diastolic functional parameters and enhancing quality of life.

D Ribose for fatigue and fibromyalgia

3.Study

The use of D-ribose in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia: a pilot study.

J Altern Complement Med. 2006 Nov;12(9):857-62. Teitelbaum JE, Johnson C, St Cyr J. Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers, Dallas, TX, USA.

This open-label uncontrolled pilot study was done to evaluate if D-ribose could improve symptoms in fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue syndrome patients. Forty-one patients with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue syndrome were given D-ribose at a dose of 5 grams three times a day for a total of 280 g.  D-ribose supplements improved all five visual analog scale categories: energy; sleep; mental clarity; pain intensity; and well-being, as well as an improvement in patients' global assessment. Approximately 66% of patients experienced significant improvement while on D-ribose.

D Ribose and exercise performance

4.Study

Effect of ribose supplementation on resynthesis of adenine nucleotides after intense intermittent training in humans.

Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2004 Jan;286(1):R182-8.

The effect of oral ribose supplementation on the resynthesis of adenine nucleotides and performance after 1 wk of intense intermittent exercise was examined. Eight subjects performed a random double-blind crossover design. The subjects performed cycle training consisting of 15 x 10 s of all-out sprinting twice per day for 7 days. After training the subjects received either ribose (200 mg/kg body wt) or placebo (Pla) three times per day for 3 days. An exercise test was performed at 72 h after the last training session. Immediately after the last training session, muscle ATP was lowered by 25 and 22 in Pla and ribose, respectively. In both Pla and Ribose, muscle ATP levels at 5 and 24 h after the exercise were still lower than pretraining. After 72 h, muscle ATP was similar to pretraining in Ribose but still lower in Pla and higher in Ribose than in Pla. Plasma hypoxanthine levels after the test performed at 72 h were higher in Ribose compared with Pla. Mean and peak power outputs during the test performed at 72 h were similar in Pla and Ribose. The results support the hypothesis that the availability of ribose in the muscle is a limiting factor for the rate of resynthesis of ATP. Furthermore, the reduction in muscle ATP observed after intense training does not appear to be limiting for high-intensity exercise performance.

5.Study

The natural dietary supplement D-ribose - a form of sugar essential to fuel cellular energy generation - "significantly reduced clinical symptoms in patients suffering from Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome," a Texas-based research group reported.

Their study - "The Use of D-Ribose in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia" - headed by internationally recognized FM/CFS Doctor Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, was published in the November 2006 issue of the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.*

Key Findings

Of 41 study participants diagnosed with ME/CFS and/or FM who received D-ribose supplementation daily for four weeks, 66 percent achieved “significant improvements in quality of life," the report states. Change was measured using patients' before-and-after visual analog scale (VAS) scores for energy, sleep, mental clarity, pain intensity, and well-being, as well as global quality of life assessments.

Key findings for the patients who perceived significant change included:

• 45 percent average improvement in energy score

• 30 percent average improvement in overall well-being

These findings are considered statistically significant (P < 0.0001), meaning the probability they were owing to chance is less than 1 in 1,000. In particular, the report indicates, patients tended to perceive improved "ability to overcome fatigue," as well as less muscle soreness and stiffness. And supplementation with the natural substance D-ribose was "tolerated well."

Study Details

The study was open label and uncontrolled, meaning all participants took D-ribose, no patients were given a placebo, or "fake" dose as a means of comparison, and no subjects with normal health were included as a means of comparison. Termed a "feasibility" study, the research involved a small number of patients, as a possible preliminary to more extensive investigation. Of the 41 patients, 78 percent were female and their average age was 48. They took five grams of D-ribose by mouth three times a day for an average of 28 days.

What is D-ribose?

D-ribose, also called “ribose,” is a form of sugar containing five carbon atoms that all living cells require for creation of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the body's main source of energy. D-ribose is also a crucial component of other important molecules within our cells, such as RNA (ribonucleic acid), and DNA (deoxynbonucleic acid). DNA produces the proteins cells need to function and develop, while RNA provides the instructions for the job.

How is D-ribose Obtained?

Our bodies make D-ribose for use by the cells from glucose - a sugar that contains six carbon atoms, which plants manufacture by the process of photosynthesis. We obtain glucose, also known as "blood sugar," from the fruits, berries, vegetables, and honey we eat. In a glucose-deficient pinch - such as starvation, fasting, or extremely demanding exercise - our liver and even our kidneys may also synthesize glucose from other compounds to provide a source of D-ribose for the cells. But this is an energy-intensive process.

D-ribose has also long been available as a dietary supplement, produced by fermentation of corn syrup. And it can be obtained from some RNA-rich food substances such as brewer's yeast.

What's the Theory of Benefit?

How do the researchers think D-ribose supplementation supports improved ME/CFS and FM patient quality of life? Many scientists have come to believe that "inefficient" or "disordered" cellular metabolism may account for the symptoms of fatigue and muscle pain associated with ME/CFS and FM.

Patients' muscles become "anaerobic" or depleted of oxygen faster than the muscles of normal healthy people. And supplementation with the nutrient D-ribose may represent one avenue for supporting faster regeneration of ATP and healthier metabolism in oxygen-deprived muscle cells

6.Study

No effects of oral ribose supplementation on repeated maximal exercise and de novo ATP resynthesis.

J Appl Physiol. 2001 Nov;91(5):2275-81.

A double-blind randomized study was performed to evaluate the effect of oral ribose supplementation on repeated maximal exercise and ATP recovery after intermittent maximal muscle contractions. Muscle power output was measured during dynamic knee extensions with the right leg on an isokinetic dynamometer before (pretest) and after (posttest) a 6-day training period in conjunction with ribose (R, 4 doses/day at 4 g/dose, n = 10) or placebo (P, n = 9) intake. Conclusion: Oral ribose supplementation with 4-g doses four times a day does not beneficially impact on postexercise muscle ATP recovery and maximal intermittent exercise performance.

7.Study

D-Ribose and diabetes

Q. Would blood sugars increase dramatically if a person with diabetes takes ribose supplements?

   A. It may depend on the dosage. A small amount of ribose as a pill, liquid or powder may not make much of a difference on blood sugar levels, but a larger amount could. I have not seen any studies with diabetics taking ribose supplements, but it would seem logical for a diabetic to avoid large doses of ribose until studies are published that evaluate the influence of ribose supplements on blood sugar levels.

How is ribose available?

Ribose supplements are available as a pill, liquid or powder. For the time being I don't see any major advantages of one form over another.

Ribose supplement questions

Q. I am a health food store owner in Sacramento, CA. I saw an ad by a company promoting Ribose. The claims were Ribose has been clinically proven to dramatically speed energy recovery. Strenuous exercise, had work, and many clinical conditions rob cells of energy. Ribose restores energy needed to minimize fatigue and reduce pain, stiffness and cramping. What is your opinion on ribose?
  

A. I personally have not seen any studies that confirm that using ribose is helpful for those who exercise. Perhaps Valen Labs is familiar with research on this topic that I am not aware of.

Q. How safe is taking five grams of ribose supplement for a person with type two diabetes?

   A. I have not seen research with ribose and diabetes, hence we don't know.

Q. How safe would D-ribose be for someone with atrial fibrillation?

   A. I have not seen any studies testing the influence of this sugar supplement on atrial fibrillation so I don't know at this time.

Q. I suffer from fibromyalgia and recently read an article stating that Ribose can "cure" it. My question is - have you any information indicating that ribose cures fibromyalgia or that if not a "cure" can at least be helpful? Do not want to purchase another empty promise.

   A. I have seen one small study that showed benefit of D ribose for fibromyalgia.

The use of D-ribose in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia: a pilot study. J Altern Complement Med. 2006 Nov;12(9):857-62. Teitelbaum JE, Johnson C, St Cyr J. Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers, Dallas, TX, USA. D-ribose significantly reduced clinical symptoms in patients suffering from fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Q. Does taking D ribose supplement have any negative effect on type 2 diabetes?

   A. I suspect low amounts would not have much of an impact, but, as of December 2007, we have not come across any human trials with ribose supplements in those who have diabetes.