D-Ribose
Also known as: ribose, D-ribofuranose
Randomized controlled trials of oral D-ribose report symptomatic and some echocardiographic improvements in patients with heart failure or coronary artery disease, while results for exercise performance in athletes are mixed or unfavourable. Short-term use as part of a nicotinamide+D-ribose product increased blood NAD+ metabolites in a small crossover trial.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-14 · 5 indexed studies
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Overview
D-ribose is a pentose sugar marketed as a supplement to support ATP generation and cellular energy. Clinical trials have tested oral D-ribose for symptomatic improvement in heart failure, exercise performance, and as part of combinations intended to raise NAD+ metabolites.
Mechanism & Function
Mechanism of Action
D-ribose is a substrate for the pentose phosphate pathway and for nucleotide (ATP/ADP/AMP) synthesis; supplementing ribose is proposed to accelerate replenishment of adenine nucleotides after ischaemia or metabolic stress.
Physiological Role
Provides ribose-5-phosphate for nucleotide and NAD(P) biosynthesis and can support cellular energy pools under conditions of depleted ATP.
Primary Pathways
Performance / Health Relevance
By providing a substrate for nucleotide synthesis, D-ribose could theoretically aid recovery of ATP after ischaemia or intense exercise, but clinical exercise trial results are inconsistent.
Evidence Review
No meta-analyses or systematic reviews indexed for this ingredient yet.
Dimensions marked N/A have no indexed evidence of that class. They are shown as unavailable rather than scored.
Practical Use & Dosage
- Minimum Effective Dose
- Not established from RCTs; studied single doses include 10 g and daily regimens of 15 g and 60 g.
- Optimal Range
- Studied oral doses in RCTs ranged from a combined-product dose (1.52 g twice daily as part of RiaGev) up to 60 g/day; commonly studied single doses were 10 g and 15 g/day.
- Upper / Caution Level
- 60 g/day has been used in trials; no established tolerable upper intake level from these abstracts.
- Timing
- In trials doses were given divided across the day (e.g. four doses with 60 g/day) or twice daily in combination products; some studies administered before/after training in athletes.
- Best Format
- Powder dissolved in water or oral powder formulations (used in trials).
- Bioavailability
- D-ribose is orally absorbed as a sugar; formulations in trials were powders or combined capsules with other compounds.
- Absorption Considerations
- May influence blood glucose or insulin dynamics when combined with other agents (one small trial reported reduced fasting glucose with a nicotinamide+D-ribose product).
Safety & Interactions
Side Effects
- •Gastrointestinal upset (reported generally for oral sugars in clinical use)
- •Alterations in blood glucose (one trial reported decreased glucose when combined with nicotinamide)
Contraindications
- Caution in people with diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance
Drug Interactions
- •No specific interactions reported in the provided abstracts
Who Should Avoid
- •People with uncontrolled diabetes unless supervised by a clinician
- •Pregnant or breastfeeding people — insufficient evidence from these abstracts
Monitoring
Monitor blood glucose in people with diabetes or at risk if using D-ribose, and monitor symptom changes when used for cardiac conditions under clinical care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Auto-generated from indexed evidence — dosage, safety, interactions, and more.
When is D-Ribose typically used or indicated?
D-Ribose is most commonly used for: Support for cardiac energy metabolism, Attempted ergogenic aid for exercise performance, Support for cellular NAD+/metabolism (when combined with NAD+ precursors). Provides ribose-5-phosphate for nucleotide and NAD(P) biosynthesis and can support cellular energy pools under conditions of depleted ATP.
How does D-Ribose work?
D-ribose is a substrate for the pentose phosphate pathway and for nucleotide (ATP/ADP/AMP) synthesis; supplementing ribose is proposed to accelerate replenishment of adenine nucleotides after ischaemia or metabolic stress.
What is the recommended dose of D-Ribose?
The optimal range is Studied oral doses in RCTs ranged from a combined-product dose (1.52 g twice daily as part of RiaGev) up to 60 g/day; commonly studied single doses were 10 g and 15 g/day.. with a minimum effective dose of Not established from RCTs; studied single doses include 10 g and daily regimens of 15 g and 60 g.. Best taken: In trials doses were given divided across the day (e.g. four doses with 60 g/day) or twice daily in combination products; some studies administered before/after training in athletes.. Upper / caution level: 60 g/day has been used in trials; no established tolerable upper intake level from these abstracts..
What are the side effects of D-Ribose?
Reported side effects include: Gastrointestinal upset (reported generally for oral sugars in clinical use); and Alterations in blood glucose (one trial reported decreased glucose when combined with nicotinamide). Monitoring: Monitor blood glucose in people with diabetes or at risk if using D-ribose, and monitor symptom changes when used for cardiac conditions under clinical care.
Does D-Ribose interact with medications?
Known or theoretical interactions: No specific interactions reported in the provided abstracts. Always check with a clinician before combining with prescription medication.
Who should avoid D-Ribose?
D-Ribose is generally not recommended for: People with uncontrolled diabetes unless supervised by a clinician; Pregnant or breastfeeding people — insufficient evidence from these abstracts; and Caution in people with diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance.
How strong is the evidence for D-Ribose?
Evidence level: Moderate (overall score 72/100), based on 5 indexed studies on SuppIndex.
Research & References (5)
Effects of Ubiquinol and/or D-ribose in Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction.
Phase 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 216 patients with HFpEF comparing ubiquinol and/or D-ribose (15 g/day) versus placebo over 12 weeks.
Ribose versus dextrose supplementation, association with rowing performance: a double-blind study.
Double-blind randomized trial in 31 collegiate women rowers comparing ribose (10 g in 8 oz water) versus dextrose given for 8 weeks before and after practice and assessing 2000-m time trials.
A Combination of Nicotinamide and D-Ribose (RiaGev) Is Safe and Effective to Increase NAD+ Metabolome in Healthy Middle-Aged Adults: A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Cross-Over Pilot Clinical Trial.
Randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover pilot trial in healthy middle-aged adults testing a combination of nicotinamide and D-ribose (RiaGev) at 1.52 g twice daily for 7 days.
D-Ribose improves diastolic function and quality of life in congestive heart failure patients: a prospective feasibility study.
Prospective, double-blind, randomized, crossover study in 15 patients with chronic coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure assessing oral D-ribose versus placebo over two 3-week periods.
Effects of ribose on exercise-induced ischaemia in stable coronary artery disease.
Randomized trial in 20 men with severe coronary artery disease testing oral ribose 60 g/day (divided doses) for 3 days versus placebo and assessing treadmill exercise tolerance.
Related Ingredients
Other top-rated ingredients in Ergogenic Compounds.
Creatine Monohydrate
94/100A naturally occurring nitrogenous organic acid that facilitates recycling of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in muscle and brain tissue via the phosphocreatine shuttle.
Maltodextrin
78/100Short-chain α-1,4 linked glucose polymer that is rapidly hydrolysed by brush-border maltase to glucose; near-equivalent glycaemic response to glucose but lower osmolality at concentration.
Cyclic Dextrin (HBCD)
72/100Produced via cyclic-glucanotransferase action on amylopectin, HBCD forms cluster-like macromolecules ~160 kDa that solubilise at low osmolality (≈4 mOsm/L) and clear the stomach faster than maltodextrin or glucose polymers.
Research Overview
Moderate EvidenceCite this ingredient
One-click citation export in APA, MLA, Chicago, BibTeX, or HTML. The URL below is stable and safe to link.
Stable URL
https://thesuppindex.com/ingredients/d-ribose
SuppIndex. (2026). D-Ribose: Evidence summary, dosage and clinical studies. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://thesuppindex.com/ingredients/d-ribose
Based on 5 indexed studies · Evidence level: Moderate.
Goal Ratings
Stack Compatibility
Has been studied combined with nicotinamide (RiaGev) and with ubiquinol in heart failure trials; effects attributable to D-ribose may be confounded when used in combination products.