End Fatigue

THE USE OF D-RIBOSE IN CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME AND FIBROMYALGIA: A PILOT STUDY

Running Title: D-Ribose Aids CFS and FMS

Objectives: Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are debilitating syndromes which are often associated with impaired cellular energy metabolism. As D-ribose has been shown to increase cellular energy synthesis in heart and skeletal muscle, this [jsc1] open-label uncontrolled pilot study was done to evaluate if D-ribose could improve symptoms in Fibromyalgia and/or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients.

Design: Forty-one (41) patients with a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and/or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome were given D-ribose, a naturally occurring pentose carbohydrate, at a dose of 5-g TID for a total of 280 grams. All patients completed questionnaires containing a Visual Analog Scale and global assessment pre- and post- D-ribose administration.

Results: D-Ribose, which was well tolerated, resulted in a significant improvement in all 5 Visual Analog Scale categories: energy, sleep, mental clarity, pain intensity, and well being, as well as an improvement in patient's global assessment. Approximately 66 % of the patients experienced significant improvement while on D-ribose, with an average increase in energy on the Visual Analog Scale of 45% and an average improvement in overall well being of 30%, (p<0.0001).

Conclusions: D-Ribose significantly improved clinical symptoms in patients suffering from fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Listen to a lecture by Dr. Teitelbaum on D-Ribose in CFS/FMS.