Ribose

WHAT IS RIBOSE?
For many years creatine has been the sole, or main, point if attention when looking at increased ATP synthesis and energy production for the muscles. However, as a phosphate donor, creatine is only part of this bigger equation. The function of creatine is to supply high energy phosphate molecules, however these molecules need to attach to Andenosine Nucleotides (AN) to complete the energy production process. Ribose supplies this other essential piece of the equation. Moreover, the use of ribose in conjunction with creatine may actually complement and significantly enhance the muscular energizing benefits of creatine. Essentially ribose is used to build the energy engine and creatine is used to fuel it. Essentially ribose is the key to super fast ATP regeneration, being the energy precursor to boost the effectiveness of both Creatine and Pyruvic Acid.

RIBOSE STUDIES
Numerous studies have been carried out investigating the usefulness of these claims in the sports field. In one major university study using a double blind, placebo controlled test wee see results showing 7.5grams of creatine and 3 grams of ribose enhances exercise performance to a greater extent than either of these substances alone. Work has been done on endurance athletes also, showing after just two days of this supplement regime an increase of 40% improvement in work output.

However, it is worth noting, that most other studies regarding Ribose supplementation have involved rather high doses around 24 - 30 grams at a time, far too much for the average consumer to buy let alone stomach every day. We should be seeing more future studies of this supplement with much lower doses very shortly.

THE IMPORTANCE OF 'ENERGY'
Very simply put, every bit of muscle size and strength gains that can be possibly made, all of the enhancements in athletic performance we can ever dream of - be it strength, speed, shedding bodyfat - everything is reliant on one elemental thing - energy. With more energy at our disposal we quite simply are more capable of performing more physical work.

THE SCIENCE OF RIBOSE
Essentially the energy source for all cells, including muscle cells, is a compound called adenosine triphosphate, or ATP for short. Specifically this molecule contains four parts: one adenosine molecule and three high-energy phosphate molecules. The adenosine portion of ATP is made up of one molecule each of 'adenine' and five carbon sugar called 'ribose'. This ribose molecule is known as a building block of ATP. d -Ribose is a pentose sugar produced in adequate amounts through normal metabolism. However, ribose, although a sugar by chemical definition, is not like glucose, a sugar that is utilized primarily as a fuel. Rather than being a simple carbohydrate utilized for energy production, ribose is fundamentally a structural element in various enzyme cofactors, RNA (ribonucleic acid), and purine nucleotides like ATP, ADP, AMP, and IMP. Ribose is primarilly produced within the tissues using it for purine salvage or de novo synthesis. 

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM RIBOSE USE?
When supplementing with viable dose of Ribose you should experience faster recovery between workouts and actually between sets of exercises. This can, when added with creatine, seriously increase strength and muscle size.

HOW TO USE RIBOSE AND WHEN
If supplementing with pure d-Ribose it is probably a good idea to take around ten grams a day, 5 in the morning and 5 post workout in a carb containing drink. If combined with creatine use around 5g creatine to 3g ribose and again for best results mix in a carb containing drink.

Many supplements on the market at the moment already contain this, or a similar ratio dose of these two potent substances. Often they are mixed with alpha lipoic acid and glutamine as well as taurine and many other things for enhanced results.