ProHealth, a nutritional supplement company, recently reported in a news release that the compound D-ribose could help increase the cellular energy metabolism levels in patients with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
Fibromyalgia is a medical disorder characterized by widespread chronic musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, stiffness and numbness in certain parts of the body, headaches, sleep disorder and mood alterations. Fibromyalgia can affect people’s ability to conduct simple daily tasks, compromising their quality of life. CFS is a complex disorder characterized by extreme, remitting/relapsing fatigue that interferes with a person’s well-being and is not relieved by rest or recovery. Other symptoms include post-exertional malaise, muscle and/or joint pain, headaches, loss of memory/concentration, sore throat, enlarged lymph nodes and unrefreshing sleep. A considerable number of individuals experiencing CFS meet the criteria for fibromyalgia.
D-Ribose is a monosaccharide (a sugar) synthesized naturally in the body, which is important for several metabolic functions, including DNA and RNA synthesis, as well as ATP synthesis (adenosine triphosphate, the energy used in the body). D-ribose boosts cell energy production and has become a common energy supplement, especially for athletes. Interestingly, D-ribose has been shown to help restore vitality in individuals suffering from physical and mental fatigue linked to fibromyalgia and CFS.
Fibromyalgia patients have been reported to often have reduced ATP levels, and both fibromyalgia and CFS disorders have been linked to a dysfunction in the mitochondria, organelles considered the “powerhouses” of cells where ATP is synthesized, leading to low ATP levels and fatigue-related symptoms. Therefore, it has been suggested that the low physical energy, mental fatigue and weak motivation common in fibromyalgia and CFS patients, are linked to impairment in ATP production and cellular energy metabolism.
According to the company, a previous study conducted in patients with either fibromyalgia or CFS who were given D-Ribose supplements concluded that D-Ribose supplementation improved energy, mental clarity, sleep, pain intensity and overall well-being in 66% of the patients, significantly reducing the clinical symptoms of both conditions.
It has been suggested that as a booster of cell energy, D-ribose can also revitalize energy levels in myocardial cells in the heart. In fact, researchers have shown that heart failure patients given D-Ribose experienced a significant improvement in respiration, functional physical capacity and cardiac performance.
In addition, a previous study has suggested that fibromyalgia patients are 10 times more likely to experience a disorder called restless leg syndrome, a neurological condition characterized my muscle twitches and uncontrollable kicking impulses that may interfere with sleep quality and compromise daytime vitality. Preliminary results have suggested that D-Ribose may also ease the symptoms of this syndrome.
ProHealth has created a new D-Ribose formulation (BioEnergy D-Ribose) designed specifically to revitalize the cell energy metabolism and body vitality in fibromyalgia and CFS patients improving their quality of life.