Ribose is a sugar that is very abundant in nature. Ribose is a component of ribonucleic acid and nucleotides. The human body is able to synthesize ribose itself.
What is ribose?
Ribose is a simple sugar (monosaccharide) consisting of five carbon atoms (pentose) and a group of aldehydes. The structural formula of ribose is H2COH-HCOH-HCOH-HCOH-COH. Ribose is a component of various body structures. For example, as a component of nucleotides, it forms the backbone of DNA. Ribose can be produced from other simple sugars as part of the pentose phosphate cycle.
Function, action, and roles
As mentioned earlier, ribose is a building block of nucleotides. Nucleotides, in turn, are the basic building blocks of nucleic acids. There are two important nucleic acids in the human body. They are called deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the carrier of genetic information. All proteins in the body are produced on the basis of the genetic code recorded in the DNA. RNA molecules perform various tasks in the body. They can transfer genetic information and help to translate this genetic information and thus also to produce proteins. They also perform regulatory tasks in the field of genes. Furthermore, RNA also has a catalytic function. Depending on its function, it is preceded by a different lowercase letter. The mRNA copies information of a gene and brings it to the ribosomes. Protein biosynthesis then takes place there. The rRNA, on the other hand, is involved in the assembly of the ribosome. The tRNA helps with protein biosynthesis. But ribose is not only a component of DNA and RNA, it also plays an important role in supplying the muscle or muscle cells with energy. During exercise, the muscles consume energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Ribose stimulates the synthesis of ATP in the body. Various studies show what an important function ribose has in this process. The effect of ribose is not only seen in strength athletes or competitive athletes, but also in heart disease patients. Patients who received ribose as a dietary supplement after a heart attack showed improved heart function thanks to reduced ATP breakdown. In alternative medicine circles, ribose is also said to have an antioxidant effect. Antioxidants can render free radicals harmless. Free radicals are produced during many metabolic processes in the body. Under certain conditions, however, the formation of radicals can multiply. Stress, smoking or UV radiation are such stressful conditions. Free radicals are incomplete from a chemical point of view. They are missing an electron. They try to get this electron from other cells. In the attempt to “steal” this electron, the cells are damaged or even destroyed. Free radicals are suspected of promoting or causing cancer. Antioxidants can scavenge the radicals and make them harmless. That is why ribose is used in alternative cancer therapy together with potassium ascorbate. In combination, the two substances are said to inhibit tumor growth.
Formation, occurrence, properties, and optimal values
The body is capable of synthesizing ribose. This occurs in the pentose phosphate cycle. The pentose phosphate cycle originates from glucose and often parallels glycolysis. The cycle consists of two stages. In the first stage, ribulose 5-phosphate is formed from glucose. This occurs with oxidation of glucose and formation of NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate). In the second part of the pentose phosphate cycle, different simple sugars are produced via various chemical reactions. The sugars that are not needed are converted back to the glucose state. The cycle is controlled by the enzymes glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. These enzymes are also referred to as pacemaker enzymes. The process is inhibited by NADPH and acetyl-coenzyme-A. Under the influence of insulin, on the other hand, the cycle is stimulated.
Diseases and disorders
Overdose of ribose as a dietary supplement may cause disturbance in blood glucose balance. There is a possibility of hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia is referred to in medical terminology as hyperglycemia. In hyperglycemia, the excess sugar is excreted by the kidneys. This process is called glucosuria.The affected person is very thirsty and excretes more urine. The amount of water drunk may not be sufficient to compensate for the water lost via the kidneys. This can lead to exsiccosis. Nausea, vomiting, weight loss and a clouding of consciousness are also conceivable. In addition, ribose in larger quantities can also cause disturbances in the digestive tract. The consequences are nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Headaches have also been reported as a side effect. One disease in which ribose deficiency appears to play a role is fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease characterized by pain with changing localization. In addition, there are accompanying symptoms such as fatigue, concentration disorders, weather sensitivity or sleep disturbances. In addition, vegetative complaints such as cardiac arrhythmias or dizzy spells may occur. Hair loss, breathing difficulties, susceptibility to infections and cramps are also possible symptoms. The clinical picture is very variable. The disease begins rather inconspicuously and develops insidiously. It is very difficult to make a diagnosis, as there are usually no abnormalities on X-rays or in the laboratory. Therefore, the so-called “tender points” are usually used to make the diagnosis. If there is pressure pain in at least 11 of these 18 special points, it is probably fibromyalgia. The disease is usually accompanied by a local oxygen deficiency in the muscle tissue. This could be the result of impaired ATP production due to a deficiency of ribose. Taking ribose may help fibromyalgia patients feel more energized and comfortable, according to studies.
