Ribose holds some of the most distinguished positions in cellular metabolism; its the base sugar for both DNA and RNA, and the building block for adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the cells energy currency. Under normal circumstances, ATP is replenished readily. But in patients suffering from coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure, the heart can be deprived of the oxygen critical to recharging the cells ATP, severely depleting ATP and its precursors. That means weaker contractions. Thats a bad thing.
Recent evidence suggests that in severely stressed, ATP-depleted muscles, ribose supplementation can reenergize depleted cells. Bioenergy Life Science Inc. provides Corvalen brand pure powdered ribose. D-Ribose is already being used in a range of nutritional products, including PepsiCo MDX, SoBe Andrenaline Rush, Glaceau Vitamin Water and Arizona Beverage Co.s Rocket Fuel Drink, notes Steve Pletsch, Bioenergys vice president for nutrition sales and marketing.
Ribose isnt metabolized as fuel like other carbohydrates and it wont satisfy a sweet tooth. But given its ability to strengthen oxygen-starved heart muscle, can it enhance the performance of an athletes oxygen-stressed skeletal muscles? Many say yes. According to Joanne Ingwall, Ph.D. Professor of Medicine (physiology), Harvard Medical School, What ribose, in fact, does is put tissue in better physiological condition during and following stress. To an athlete, this means greater performance over time, but does not mean a short-term ergogenic effect. For heart patients, it means better diastolic cardiac function, increased ventilatory efficiency and increased exercise tolerance. As more studies appear in peer-reviewed journals, dont be surprised to see ribose grow to be a major functional food ingredient.
by Mark Anthony, Ph.D.