“Ribose is a unique and powerful addition to our complement of metabolic therapies. For those suffering from fatigue, muscle soreness, stiffness and a host of related medical complications the relief ..can be life changing” Jacob Teitelbaum M.D.
D-ribose is…
An important structural component of many of the components (DNA, RNA, ATP, FADH, coenzyme-A, and NADH) needed by the mitochondria to keep the cells supplied with energy.
D-ribose provides a key building block in the production of cellular energy. Studies have shown that D-ribose increases physical functioning overall, exercise tolerance, diastolic functioning and quality of life in congestive heart failure patients. It has also been used to restore energy levels after intense exercise.
D-Ribose May Work in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Because..
It increases energy production in the heart and muscles. Dr. Cheney reports low heart functioning (diastolic dysfunction) is present in many of his chronic fatigue syndrome patients. Several physicians including Dr. Teitelbaum, Dr. Myhill and Dr. Cheney believe that low cellular energy production plays a key role in chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Studies
A study by Dr. Teitelbaum found that D-ribose produced by CORvalen (one scoop (5 g) of CORvalen three times a day with food or liquids) resulted in significant improvement in sleep patterns, energy levels, mental clarity, pain threshold and well-being in ME/CFS patients. A closer look shows that these patients were helped but were not cured; on a scale of 1-10 their energy levels increased from 3.8-5.5, sleep from 4.8-6.0, mental clarity from 4.9-5.7, pain from 4.9-5.6 and well-being from 4.3-5.6.
Dr. Teitelbaum noted that a 45% increase in energy from one supplement was amazing. A few side effects were experienced by a small number of patients and these were eliminated by lowering the dose. A larger validation due to finish in 2009, however, had not been published by 2012.
Dose
Dr. Teitelbaum reports it is critical to use the proper dose (5 grams three times a day) for the first three weeks. A CORvalen representative I talked to recommended that ME/CFS patients take the normal dose for a month or so and then cut back to two scoops a day if they wished. It often takes several weeks for ME/CFS patients to determine if its working. He reported that Dr. Cheney began using CORvalen in the middle of 2006. Dr. Teitelbaum is currently working in a larger placebo-controlled D-Ribose study in ME/CFS.
(This and all sections of the Phoenix Rising website are compiled by a layman. They are not a substitute for a physician and are for informational uses only. Please discuss any treatments in these pages with your physician.)
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The IACFS Conference Proceedings of 2007
Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D. 2007. From Fatigued to Fantastic. Avery Publishers.