Reboot Your Heart And Energy With Ribose

D-ribose (also known as just "ribose") is a naturally occurring sugar used by every cell of the body. Ribose (alpha-D-ribofuranose), a simple, fivecarbon sugar, is required in the manufacture of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the fuel that runs the human body. In fact, it is the structural backbone of ATP, driving both its synthesis and recycling. If your cells don’t have enough ribose, they can’t produce enough ATP to meet energy demands. This lack is precisely what happens in conditions such as congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and even exercise-induced fatigue, for that matter. Your cells simply run out of juice.

Here’s where supplemental ribose comes in. Although ribose synthesis occurs naturally in the cells, energy needs often outpace supplies in hardworking tissues such as the heart and muscles. This is particularly true in people with heart disease or muscle conditions such as fibromyalgia. And while there’s technically no such thing as a ribose deficiency, ribose cannot be stored in cells.

It's an essential compound in energy metabolism, serving as a building block for adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-the body's basic energy source. D-ribose is also the carbohydrate backbone of genetic material, DNA and RNA, certain vitamins and other important cellular compounds.

Supplementing with ribose can be beneficial for athletes as well. They can speed recovery and lessen the severity of sore muscles by taking 5 g less than 30 minutes before and 5 g more within 30 minutes following strenuous exercise. In addition to shortening recovery time, ribose has also been shown to improve endurance. It must work, because it’s a favorite of marathoners, cyclists, and other athletes. But the fact of the matter is you don’t have to be an elite athlete or suffer with any of the above conditions to reap the benefits of ribose. It increases energy levels and just plain makes you feel better.

Fortunately, when ribose is taken orally, virtually all of it is absorbed and delivered to energy-starved tissues and it rapidly and dramatically rebuilds energy reserves. Ribose is particularly effective in restoring energy to the heart muscle. Research has shown that patients with heart failure and coronary artery disease who are given ribose feel better and are able to increase their level of physical activity.

In one study, published in Lancet, 20 men between the ages of 45 and 69 with exercise-induced angina and coronary artery disease took either high-dose ribose (60 g daily) or a placebo. After just three days, the men receiving ribose were able to walk longer, and their onset of angina was significantly delayed. Though ribose is seldom used by cardiologists, its benefits are so remarkable and the medical doctors are coming around. Ribose is now part of the treatment about 50 hospitals nationwide.

Research has shown that ribose helps the body to maintain healthy energy levels in the heart and muscle tissues. It maximizes energy recovery and may also increase energy reserves. If you work out more than three or four times per week, your body may not have the rest time it needs between sessions for heart and muscle energy pools to return to normal levels. Taking NSI® Bioenergy Ribose™ may shorten the time needed by heart and muscle tissue to replace energy lost through vigorous exercise.

Exercise can greatly increase oxygen utilization, which increases the generation of free radicals, or unstable molecules that can damage the membranes and DNA of healthy cells. Studies suggest that ribose supplementation during exercise may reduce free radical formation. It may also relieve post-exertional muscle cramping and soreness.

Whether you're a trained athlete, a weekend warrior or are concerned about your cardiovascular health, ribose may help give the energy boost your body needs. For best results at the best price, take Bioenergy Ribose™ just before and just after exercise or activity. The suggested dose of ribose is 5 g (one heaping teaspoonful) mixed in water, tea, or juice, or sprinkled on foods two to three times a day. NSI® Bioenergy Ribose™ Pure D Ribose is better because it delivers 5,000 mg of pure d-ribose per one-teaspoon serving.