Lee Swanson Research Update

D-Ribose May Benefit People with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

February 2007

In an open-label pilot study involving 41 patients with fibromyalgia, or chronic fatigue syndrome, results indicate that supplementation with D-ribose, a naturally occurring pentose carbohydrate, may improve clinical symptoms in such patients.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) are often associated with impaired cellular energy metabolism. "As D-ribose has been shown to increase cellular energy synthesis in heart and skeletal muscle," researchers stated, "this open-label uncontrolled pilot study was done to evaluate if D-ribose could improve symptoms in fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue syndrome patients."

Forty-one patients with a diagnosis of FMS and/or CFS were given D-ribose at a dose of five grams, three times daily. Scientists found that D-ribose supplementation was well tolerated and was found to significantly improve energy, sleep, mental clarity, pain intensity, well-being and global assessment in patients.

Approximately 66% of the patients experienced significant improvement, with an average 45% increase in energy and a 30% average improvement in overall well-being, leading researchers to conclude, "D-ribose significantly reduced clinical symptoms in patients suffering from fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 12(9):857-862, 2006

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