CFS & Fibromyalgia Integrative Therapies D-Ribose for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome By Adrienne Dellwo Adrienne Dellwo LinkedIn Adrienne Dellwo is an experienced journalist who was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and has written extensively on the topic. Learn about our editorial process Updated on February 08, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Grant Hughes, MD Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD LinkedIn Grant Hughes, MD, is board-certified in rheumatology and is the head of rheumatology at Seattle's Harborview Medical Center. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print D-ribose is a supplement sometimes recommended as a treatment for people with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Also called ribose or Beta-D-ribofuranose, it's a type of sugar that your body produces naturally and is readily available in supplement form. Grace Clementine / Getty Images D-ribose plays several important roles in your body, such as: Helping produce energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) Serving as a building block of the genetic material RNA (ribonucleic acid) Helping increase your muscle energy As with most supplements, we don't have enough high-quality research to draw a lot of conclusions about it as a treatment for these conditions. D-Ribose for Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome We have very little research on d-ribose supplementation for either fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. Still, some healthcare providers recommend it, and some people with these conditions say it is an effective part of their treatment regimen. One small study published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine concluded that d-ribose supplementation significantly improved symptoms of these conditions, including: Increasing energy levelsImproving sleep qualityImproving mental clarityLowering pain intensityImproving overall well being However, this work is preliminary, and we need considerably more research to confirm the findings, including larger studies. It's unclear how d-ribose accomplishes the things that have been attributed to it. For example, the low energy in fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome is theorized to come from a deficiency of ATP, but we don't have any proof so far that d-ribose supplementation boosts ATP. D-ribose has been theorized to increase exercise capacity and energy following a heart attack, raising questions about whether it can help with exercise tolerance in other instances. It's been studied for increasing high-intensity exercise capacity in athletes but was found to provide no benefit. So far, we don't have evidence one way or the other whether d-ribose is effective against post-exertional malaise (a severe symptom increase after exercise), which is a key symptom of chronic fatigue syndrome. A 2017 review of dietary modifications for chronic fatigue syndrome published in an Australian and New Zealand medical journal noted positive outcomes had been seen with d-ribose in human trials. One extremely small study suggests that d-ribose may lessen symptoms of restless legs syndrome, which is common in people with fibromyalgia. Again, not nearly enough research has been done, and it doesn't appear to be an area of ongoing interest in the research community. Unless interest picks up, we may never really know whether d-ribose supplements are a safe and effective treatment for these conditions. D-Ribose Dosage We don't yet have a standard dosing recommendation for d-ribose supplements. In the study on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, participants took 5-gram doses three times a day. In some studies of d-ribose for people with heart failure, researchers have used doses of 15 grams four times a day. D-ribose supplements are widely available and typically sold in powder form. D-Ribose in Your Diet While some foods contain d-ribose, it's a form that your body is believed to be unable to use. That makes supplementation the typical way to increase levels. Side Effects of D-Ribose While supplements are a "natural" treatment, they can still cause unwanted effects. Some of the side effects of d-ribose may include: Digestive problems, such as nausea, stomach ache, and diarrheaHeadachesLowering uric acid in urine or blood in people with kidney disorders, which raises the risk of gout or other kidney problemsLowering blood sugar Because it can lower blood sugar, d-ribose is not recommended for diabetics who are on medications that lower their blood sugars. D-ribose is generally considered safe for short-term use. So far, we don't have much safety information about long-term use or use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Is D-Ribose Right for You? If you're interested in d-ribose to help treat your fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider to make sure you're taking it safely. You may also want to speak to a pharmacist about whether d-ribose could interact with anything else you're taking. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Learn about treatment and lifestyle changes to cope with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 5 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Myhill S, Booth NE, McLaren-Howard J. Chronic fatigue syndrome and mitochondrial dysfunction. Int J Clin Exp Med. 2009;2(1):1-16. Seifert JG, Brumet A, St Cyr JA. The influence of D-ribose ingestion and fitness level on performance and recovery. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2017;14(1):47. doi:10.1186/s12970-017-0205-8 Jones K, Probst Y. Role of dietary modification in alleviating chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms: a systematic review. Aust N Z J Public Health. 2017;41(4):338-344. doi:10.1111/1753-6405.12670 Shecterle L, Kasubick R, St Cyr J. D-ribose benefits restless legs syndrome. J Altern Complement Med. 2008;14(9):1165-1166. Omran H, McCarter D, St Cyr J, Lüderitz B. D-ribose aids congestive heart failure patients. Exp Clin Cardiol. 2004;9(2):117-118. Additional Reading Myhill S, Booth NE, McLaren-Howard J. Targeting mitochondrial dysfuction in the treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) - a clinical audit. International journal of clinical and experimental medicine. 2013;6(1):1-15. Shecterle L, Kasubick R, St Cyr J. D-ribose benefits restless legs syndrome Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2008 Nov;14(9):1165-6. Gerdle B, Forsgren MF, Bengtsson A, et al. Decreased muscle concentrations of ATP and PCR in the quadriceps muscle of fibromyalgia patients--a 31P-MRS study. European journal of pain. 2013 Sep;17(8):1205-15.