Healing Tip: Ribose Boosts Energy and Cardiovascular Health

Are you sick and tired of feeling sick and tired? If so, ribose may be just what you need. This simple, five-carbon sugar is an integral component in the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). ATP is the fuel that drives cellular energy, and if your ribose stores are low, you’re going to feel it.

In one small study, healthy adults ages 50–65 who had experienced fatigue for at least a month took 3 g of ribose twice a day. After two weeks on this regimen, participants reported feeling less fatigued, and on repeat testing they had increased aerobic capacity, enhanced oxygen uptake, and improved exercise performance.

We use ribose at the clinic as a therapy for patients with heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases. However, as this study indicates, it also improves energy in healthy people. I typically recommend a little higher dose—5 g (one heaping teaspoonful) mixed in water, coffee, or tea two or three times a day. Ribose is safe and well tolerated.

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