D-ribose is a fast-rising dietary supplement ingredient that is gaining popularity for its proven effects in enhancing mitochondrial function and increasing energy production in body cells. The compound is believed to help promote weight loss, reduce fatigue, and shorten recovery time in between workouts. It is also ideal for bodybuilders and athletic individuals as it may promote lean muscle mass development.
What is D-Ribose?
D-Ribose is a simple sugar carbohydrate that naturally occurs in the human body. It is a component of ribonucleotides or RNA which is a vital molecular precursor for cellular coding and decoding. D-Ribose is a monosaccharide with five carbon atoms, otherwise known as aldopentose. It is a key constituent of Adenosine Triphosphate or ATP and is believed to play a vital role in energy release, muscle contraction, and nerve impulse production. D-Ribose is also a promoting potential treatment to several health conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
The compound is also known through its IUPAC name (2R,3R,4S,5R)-5-(hydroxymethyl)oxolane-2,3,4-triol. It is also known for its popular patented brand BioEnergy Ribose which is currently marketed as a functional ingredient for optimal athletic performance and endurance. The molecular formula of the compound is C5H10O5 and its CAS number is 50-69-1. The molecular weight of D-Ribose, as identified in studies, is 150.13 g/mol.
D-Ribose has a white to light beige or yellowish crystalline powder appearance when used in the formulation of dietary supplement products. It is soluble in water, but not in ethanol.
L-Ribose vs D-Ribose
While L-Ribose and D-Ribose are structurally the mirrors of each other, they differ in certain aspects. D-Ribose is the naturally occurring type of Ribose, while L-Ribose is synthetically produced. The discovery of L-Ribose preceded the discovery of D-Ribose as the former was first prepared in 1891 while the latter was only discovered in natural existence in 1909.
In terms of appearance, D-Ribose has the hydroxyl groups on the right-hand side while L-Ribose has its hydroxyl groups on the left.
As between D-Ribose and L-Ribose, D-Ribose is more popular as it is used in the production of various dietary supplement products. The use of D-Ribose is also preferred as it is already found naturally in the cellular RNA. In contrast, L-Ribose has no extensive synthetic use as of today.
Beta D-Ribose and Alpha D-Ribose
Beta D-Ribose is an enantiomer of Beta L-Ribose whose anomeric center has beta-configuration. Also, Alpha D-Ribose is a D-ribofuranose which is an enantiomer of Alpha L-Ribose.
Compared to D-Ribose, both Beta D-Ribose and Alpha D-Ribose are the furanose forms of the said compound. Essentially, D-Ribose undergoes cyclization through hemiacetal formation to produce furanose forms Beta D-Ribose and Alpha D-Ribose.
D-Ribose food sources
Many food sources including meat and herbs contain D-Ribose. These include beef and poultry, eggs, yogurt, cheese, and milk. Products like anchovies, herring, sardines, and caviar also contain D-Ribose.
D-Ribose forms and specifications
D-Ribose is usually included in dietary supplement products in powder forms having 99% purity based on High-performance liquid chromatography tests or HPLC. It is available in several ingredient suppliers having physical stores and those offering services online. Customers buying online are usually advised to purchase only from legitimate online ingredient suppliers to ensure product quality and purity.
Nutriavenue is one of the ingredient suppliers offering services online which has been in the market for several years. We offer D-Ribose powder for bulk purchases or in lesser quantities. The product is usually packed in paper drums with two layers of polybags inside when bought in bulk. However, customers may avail of a different packaging material depending on their needs and their preferences.
How does D-Ribose work?
Naturally, D-Ribose is found in the cellular mitochondria or the powerhouse of the human cell. It is an essential component of ATP. Hence, without sufficient D-Ribose levels in the human body, energy production processes will be compromised as insufficient ATP will be produced.
In cases of mitochondrial dysfunction, studies reveal that D-Ribose supplementation may cause the bypass of some parts of the pentose pathway to produce D-ribose-5-phosphate which is essential for energy production. In effect, cellular function in energy production is improved.
D-Ribose Manufacturing Process
There are several ways by which D-Ribose is manufactured to obtain products for dietary supplement formulations. One method is by obtaining the product through fermentation technology from corn steep liquor, glucose, and mineral salts. The procedure involves extraction and purification to obtain D-Ribose.
Another process is through a bacterial strain from the genus Bacillus. The strain selected to obtain D-Ribose has no sporulation ability or has high 2-deoxy-D-glucose-oxidizing activity and one which lacks at least one of transketolase and D-ribulose phosphate 3-epimerase. According to researches, microorganisms having these qualifications produce a good yield of D-Ribose.
Health Benefits of D-Ribose
The interest in D-Ribose started to grow exponentially after it was mentioned as one of the four secret weapons to fight fatigue in one of the episodes of the Dr. Oz show. It is introduced in the said show as a low-calorie sugar compound that boosts energy production. Some of the claimed benefits of using the compound include the following:
It helps enhance ATP energy production
D-Ribose supplementation is shown to effectively enhance energy production in body cells. This is because the compound itself is essential for healthy mitochondrial function.
It promotes muscle endurance and shortens recovery time
Increased energy levels naturally result in enhanced muscle endurance and the prevention of fatigue. It also reduces free radicals in muscles during exercise. Many users of D-Ribose supplements also experience shortened recovery time in between workouts, thereby maximizing workout effects.
It may be useful for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
The compound is also recommended as a treatment for symptoms associated with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It is claimed that its benefit is associated with the effects of D-Ribose in increasing intracellular energy production.
It may be useful for bodybuilding
As a natural energy production enhancer and an agent which reduces fatigue, it is believed that D-Ribose may be useful in bodybuilding and enhancing overall muscle mass development.
Other benefits
Some studies also reveal that the compound may have certain effects in promoting weight loss, enhancing sleep patterns, and reducing anxiety.
D-Ribose side effects
If taken within recommended doses, no side effects are usually expected from D-Ribose supplementation. Nonetheless, some users may experience mild symptoms involving the gastrointestinal tract. These symptoms are expected to disappear within the first few doses.
D-Ribose dosage
The recommended daily doses for D-Ribose supplementation range from 5 to 15 mg per day. In some instances, physicians may prescribe a different dose depending on the individual user’s weight, age, and overall physical condition.
Where to buy bulk D-Ribose powder?
High-quality and affordable D-Ribose powder is available for purchase from Nutriavenue, an FDA-registered company that offers a wide range of dietary supplement ingredients of proven quality and purity. Our company is also your best choice as we are recognized by entities like Kosher, Halal, and GMP.
You may check out our website for a complete list of the products we offer. For our customer’s convenience, we also offer shipping services through the air, sea, or couriers like UPS and FedEx.
For more details on our products and services, you may check out our website at Nutraivenue.com or contact our technical support staff.
