The Use of D-Ribose in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: A Pilot Study

Teitelbaum, Jacob; Johnson, Clarence A.; Cyr, John St.

doi:10.1089/acm.2006.12.857

Cited by 63 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Teitelbaum et al reported a substantial benefit with D-ribose in lessening the pain, discomfort, and mental alteration in patients with fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. 9 The two patients with RLS on whom we report also found a benefit with D-ribose, most noted when consumed 3 times a day, similarly to the patients reported in Teitelbaum's study. A controlled cohort study should be performed to further substantiate the findings in this case reports.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

D-Ribose Benefits Restless Legs Syndrome

Shecterle¹,

Kasubick²,

Cyr³

2008

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

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Restless legs syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by unpleasant sensations and pain, predominantly in the lower extremities while at rest, accompanied by an uncontrollable urge for movement for relief. We report on two affected male individuals, a father and son, ages 71 and 47, from a family in which three generations carry the diagnosis. To evaluate any potential benefit of D-ribose in this condition, each individual orally consumed 5-g doses of D-ribose daily at different trial stages. Each stage lasted 3 weeks with a 2-week washout period between stages. The initial stage involved a single 5 gm dose of D-ribose consumed at breakfast. Throughout the second stage, D-ribose was taken at breakfast and lunch. In the third stage, D-ribose was taken at all meals, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Diaries by the subjects pertaining to their documentation and severity of restless legs syndrome symptoms was compiled. During the initial stage both men reported a general feeling of more energy and less fatigue, most notably after exercise, without any significant changes in their symptoms. With the increase in the daily dose of D-ribose, in the second stage, their leg twitching and the feeling to move during the day was reduced for 1 subject, and rarely present in the other. Both still experienced the unpleasant sensations during the night. However, during the final stage, a further increase in the daily dose of D-ribose eliminated their daily symptoms and the symptoms at night were of a lesser degree and had a later occurrence. Both men reported that D-ribose did not totally eliminate their discomfort, but the severity and onset of symptoms affecting their quality of life was substantially improved with D-ribose without any adverse reactions.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

D-Ribose Benefits Restless Legs Syndrome

Shecterle¹,

Kasubick²,

Cyr³

2008

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

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“…An open-label uncontrolled pilot study was conducted to determine if d-ribose supplements improved energy-related symptoms in patients with either FM or chronic fatigue syndrome. 40 Patients (N = 41) were given 5 g of d-ribose, twice a day, for a total of 280 g. Two-thirds of the patients experienced significant improvement while receiving the d-ribose, with an average increase in energy of 45% shown on pre-/post-test visual analogue scales (of pain intensity, energy level, sleep quality, and mental clarity), and 30% in global well-being. The treatment was well-tolerated.…”

Section: Diet and Dietary Supplementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Current Understanding of Fibromyalgia: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Theories About Causes

HorowitzSala¹

2015

Alternative and Complementary Therapies

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Fibromyalgia (FM) is a challenge to clinicians and patients because of its constellation of symptoms that are frequently shared with other chronic pain conditions, and the lack of a definitive diagnostic test or known cause. This article reviews the epidemiology, diagnostic issues and criteria, conventional and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies used to treat FM, the evidence base for CAM therapies, and theories of the causes of this complex disorder that affects the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of millions of patients. Historical Background and EpidemiologyDerived from the Latin term for fibrous tissue (fibro) plus the Greek terms for muscle (myo) and pain (algia), FM is a disorder of unknown etiology characterized by chronic widespread pain and fatigue. 1 Symptoms may also include sleep disturbances, morning stiffness, cognitive problems, and depression. Although FM is often considered a rheumatic condition like arthritis, FM does not cause inflammation of-or damage to-the joints, muscles, or other tissues. The syndrome was called "fibrositis" prior to the mid-1970s. 2 The first controlled clinical study validating the symptoms of FM was published in 1981. The idea that FM was interconnected with similar conditions was also proposed in the 1980s. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) published its first diagnostic criteria for FM in 1990, which were later revised.Recent estimates put the prevalence of FM in the United States as ranging from 2% to 8% of the population, second only to osteoarthritis (OA) as the most common "rheumatic" disorder. 3 The prevalence is similar in many other countries. The majority of patients affected are women, although FM can also affect men and children. Diagnostic Issues and CriteriaThere is currently no diagnostic test specifically for FM. In addition, many patients experience symptoms that also characterize other chronic pain disorders, including chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), temporomandibular disorders, and migraine. American College of Rheumatology CriteriaThe ACR developed criteria for classifying FM in 1990; this classification focused on tenderness upon pressure in at least 11 of 18 tender-point sites, in conjunction with widespread pain-defined as pain in 3 of the 4 quadrants of the body. No distinction was found between the diagnoses of primary and secondary FM, so the use of these terms was abandoned. 4 The ACR criteria accelerated research on FM, but were revised in 2010 in response to issues raised regarding the necessity of a tender-point-examination, lack of consideration of nonpain symptoms, and the observation that FM might represent the extreme end of a pain spectrum. 5 Daniel J. Clauw, MD-a professor of anesthesiology, medicine (rheumatology), and psychiatry at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and director of the university's Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center-is among researchers who questioned the clinical utility of the ACR's emphasis on tender points in diagnosing FM. 6 Dr. Clauw com...

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“…An open-label, uncontrolled pilot study evaluated if d-ribose could also improve energy synthesis in patients with CFS and/or FM (N 5 41). 32 Patients were given a twice-daily dose of 5 g of d-ribose for a total of 280 g over a 28-day period. d-Ribose produced significant improvement in * 60% of patients according to pre-and post administration of VAS categories of energy, sleep, mental clarity, pain intensity, and well-being, as well as having an average improvement of 30% in global assessment scoring.…”

Section: Dietary Supplementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…40{ According to his study (discussed above in the Dietary Supplements section), he has found d-ribose to benefit his patients. 32 Hormonal support entails testing for and optimizing adrenal, thyroid, testosterone, and estrogen functions. Dr. Teitelbaum considers standard tests (unspecified) to be inadequate for the diagnosis of low hormone levels.…”

Section: Integrative Clinical Approachesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nutritional support includes d-ribose, a sugar found naturally in the body that cells need to make adenosine triphosphate (ATP), to accelerate the recovery of energy. 32 Sarah Myhill, MB, BS-a British physician in private practice in Upper Weston, United Kingdom-regards mitochondrial failure as the central cause of CFS. In a clinical audit of 138 patients with CFS/ME, all of the patients had { The Disclosure Statement from reference 40 is as follows: Dr. Teitelbaum helped to design the formula for Revitalizing Sleep Formula.…”

Section: Integrative Clinical Approachesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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