D-ribose for Bodybuilding, Workout Recovery & Athletes

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Clinical research has proven that using D-ribose for bodybuilding may generate improved athletic performance capacities, especially concerning the ability to recover from strenuous workouts quickly.

Bodybuilding is very much an energy-intense sport. Our muscles require significant amounts of energy to lift heavy weights and to grow and repair damaged muscle tissues.

This energy demand occurs both during the exercise and in the recovery period afterwards. D-ribose has been shown to shorten the recovery period following an exercise by improving energy metabolism.

The body’s main source of cellular energy is ATP (adenosine triphosphate). D-ribose is an integral building block for ATP, and it is required to stimulate the production of ATP. Insufficient D-ribose bioavailability causes insufficient ATP synthesis – and that causes cellular fatigue.

It follows that regardless of how intense an individual works out, or which supplements he or she uses, there will be very limited success in bodybuilding without consistent supplies of ample energy via ATP.

Using D-ribose for bodybuilding has a lot to do with ensuring that the raw materials are in place for constant production of ATP.

D-Ribose

Energy Supplement

Fatigue

Exercise Capacity

Workout Recovery

How It Works:

• Helps increase ATP production for energy
• Cardioprotective & decreases fatigue
• Improves workout recovery time & output

Dosage:

Between 5 - 20 g per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

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D-ribose for Bodybuilding

ATP synthesis must occur constantly in the body. No cell can perform a single function, not even keep itself alive, without ATP.

For most of us, at any given time, the heart muscle has about ten beats worth of ATP to work with. That being so, and knowing the average human heart rate, ATP stores in the heart muscle need to be regenerated roughly every ten seconds.

Top athletes may be able to regenerate ATP in half the time of those with average fitness and recovery levels. However, for those with energy-limiting conditions like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, it may take a full minute to regenerate the ATP that took only ten seconds to deplete.

To add to the difficulty, the symptoms of those conditions, like muscle pain and stiffness, require additional energy to be corrected. The result is that the already-fatigued body continues to spiral deeper into an array of symptoms – and becomes even less able to regenerate ATP.

How is ATP Generated During Exercise?

• ATP is needed for energy;
• Releasing energy, ATP (with three phosphates) is converted to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) (now with two phosphates);
• The ADP is sent back to cellular mitochondria to be converted back to ATP;
• In times of extreme activity, ADP may be further converted to AMP (adenosine monophosphate with one phosphate);
• If AMP is recycled to ATP at all, the process is slow and arduous;
• It is easier and much faster for the body to synthesize new ATP rather to convert AMP back to ATP;
• Ready supplies of D-ribose are required for the synthesis of new ATP;

It is important to recognize that every cell in the body requires constant fuel for metabolic purposes. Every cell has its own mitochondria “power plant” where caloric energy is burned. If this function is diminished even for a short period of time, it can result in impaired cellular functioning and potentially damage to the individual cell or the organ.

The body is completely capable of manufacturing its own D-ribose, generally from bioavailable glucose. However, synthesizing new supplies of D-ribose is a slow process. The bodybuilder who requires rapid ATP replacement needs it to be available faster. Research shows that supplementing with additional quantities of D-ribose powder can improve exercise output, reduce fatigue and help to protect the heart.

D-ribose for Improving Muscular Recovery

Bodybuilders are constantly experimenting with methods for achieving the fastest muscular recovery possible.

Until the muscles are recovered appropriately from one workout, it can be damaging to tax them with further work. The athlete must rest and recover before engaging further training.

For this reason, it is desirable that recovery times are minimized, so that more work can be performed and muscle growth can be achieved in a shorter period of time.

New research has shown that daily supplementation with 15 grams of D-ribose can speed up muscular recovery times by between 300 and 600 percent when compared with placebo groups. These results manifested within only four weeks of D-ribose supplementation. More than 300 separate clinical trials have been conducted on D-ribose.

In another recent study published in the The Journal of Current Therapeutic Research, D-ribose supplementation of ten grams daily for four weeks significantly enhanced workout performance and muscular strength. Sixteen bodybuilders were studied; half taking ten grams of D-ribose daily and half receiving a placebo.

After four weeks, the D-ribose subjects demonstrated a 30% increase in maximum lifting abilities while the placebo subjects experienced only a 7% increase.

Safety and Side Effects of Using D-ribose

D-ribose supplementation among bodybuilders is known to be generally safe and free from any serious or lasting side effects. In a small percentage of users, D-ribose may cause mild side effects like stomach upset, headaches, diarrhea and/or low blood sugar.

D-ribose supplements may also interact negatively with antihypertensive and antidiabetic prescription or OTC medications. Pregnant women should not use D-ribose. Talk with your doctor about D-ribose for bodybuilding usage before beginning.

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