Research article

Assessment of Hematological and Biochemical parameters with extended D-Ribose ingestion

John Seifert¹ , Angela Frelich¹ , Linda Shecterle² and John St Cyr²

¹  Human Performance Laboratory, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN, USA

²  Jacqmar, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA

author email corresponding author email

Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2008, 5:13doi:10.1186/1550-2783-5-13

Published:	15 September 2008

Abstract

D-ribose, a naturally occurring pentose carbohydrate, has been shown to replenish high- energy phosphates following myocardial ischemia and high intensity, repetitive exercise. Human studies have mainly involved short-term assessment, including potential toxicity. Reports describing adverse effects of D-ribose with prolonged ingestion have been lacking. Therefore, this study assessed the toxicity of extended consumption of D-ribose in healthy adults. Nineteen subjects ingested 20 grams/Day (10 grams, twice a Day) of ribose with serial measurements of biochemical and hematological parameters at Days 0, 7, and 14. No significant toxic changes over the 14-day assessment period occurred in complete blood count, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyltransferase, alanine amiotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase. However, D-ribose did produce an asymptomatic, mild hypoglycemia of short duration. Uric acid levels increased at Day 7, but decreased to baseline values by Day 14. D-ribose consumption for 14 days appears not to produce significant toxic changes in both hematological and biochemical parameters in healthy human volunteers.