Feeling Tired? D-Ribose May Boost Your Energy Level

Do you find yourself dragging by the end of the day even though you slept for eight hours? Fatigue and lack of energy are two of the biggest complaints voiced by busy women who are often pulled in too many directions by the demands of work, family, and home life. Some women resort to caffeine for a quick pick-me-up, but the side effects can be nervousness and feeling jittery. What if there was a supplement that could energize you without the negative side effects of caffeine? There may be such a supplement already available in the form of d-ribose. Ribose supplements have already shown promising results in some studies for treatment of fatigue and lack of energy.

What is d-ribose? D-ribose is a naturally occurring sugar that's showing promise as a natural energy stimulator. It's been shown to increase cellular levels of an energy producing substance known as ATP in both muscle cells and heart cells in the human body. ATP is considered to be the primary source of energy for the living cell. While intuitively it would make sense that ribose supplements would increase energy levels since they alter cellular levels of ATP, does this hold true in actual practice?

A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine in 2006 looked at the effects of d-ribose on persons diagnosed with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. These relatively common conditions are characterized by pronounced fatigue and low energy levels. Previous treatments for these conditions have not been particularly satisfying. The forty-one study subjects were given ribose supplements and asked to complete questionnaires relating to their symptoms. The results? Approximately sixty-five percent of persons given the d-ribose supplement experienced improvement in symptoms of fatigue.

While there are no large, published studies looking at the effects of ribose supplements on the energy levels of people who have not been diagnosed with fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome, some doctors who use this supplement to treat patients who lack energy are reporting good results. It seems to help reduce fatigue associated with high stress levels and lack of sleep. D-ribose is also being studied as a potential treatment for people having certain heart conditions and is thought to have antiviral properties.

If you lack energy should you consider ribose supplements? If you suffer from chronic fatigue, it's important to visit your doctor to rule out treatable medical conditions such as an underactive thyroid or anemia first before taking any type of supplements. Once you get a clean bill of health, be sure you're eating a nutritious diet and getting enough sleep. If you still feel tired and run down, you may want to consider giving ribose supplements a try. They appear to be safe and can be found at most health food stores.