What is Ribose and what does it do?


Ribose, a unique, 5-carbon sugar that occurs naturally in all living cells forms the carbohydrate portion of DNA and RNA, the building blocks of life. Ribose is also the sugar that begins the metabolic process for production of adenosine triphosphate (or ATP). ATP is the major source of energy used by cells including muscle tissue for normal function.

Research on Ribose and Energy Recovery in Athletes
Intense exercise causes a significant decrease in skeletal muscle energy levels. In fact, it can take 3 days or longer for these energy levels to recover! Recent studies show, however, that supplementing with high quality ribose hastens energy recovery in all types of skeletal muscles. This means you'll be able to work out longer and build muscle faster because you will recover quicker from intense workouts, having the energy to do more!

Research on Ribose in Cardiovascular Health
Over the past 25 years, research has shown that ribose enhances energy recovery in cardiac muscle (heart tissue) after periods of restricted blood flow. Many things can cause restricted blood flow, such as coronary heart disease, heart attack, heart surgery, or organ transplantation. Under these circumstances, the heart's functioning may be compromised and their is risk of permanet loss of heart tissue. Rigorous testing in both animal and human studies have demonstrated that supplementation of ribose restores intracellular energy levels in the cardiac muscle tissue and improves heart function.

How can Ribose Help the Serious athlete?
Ribose is research proven to help increase muscular energy, boost endurance, and promote recovery! It's a powerful cellular energy source that is naturally occurring and found in all cells in the body. It's an efficient way to improve your energy levels for working out through its participation in the synthesis of ATP in the muscle cell, enhancing performance, and aiding in the recovery of muscle tissue after intense exercise.

References:
1. Gross M. Kormann R, Zollner N. "Ribose Administration during Exercise:..." Klinische Wochenschrift 69: 151-155, 1991.
2. WagnerD, Gresser U, Zollner N. "Effects of Oal Ribose on Muscle Metabolism during Bicycle Ergometer in AMPD-Deficient Patients. Annals of Nutritional Metabolism 35; 297-302, 1991.