How to Use D-Ribose for Weight Loss

About D-Ribose
Energy Boosting
D-Ribose and Weight Loss
Count Those Calories

Written by Jill Corleone

18 July, 2017

Fact Checked

While it would be nice to able to lose weight by simply adding a supplement to your diet, it's never quite that simple. D-ribose is a sugar that's touted as an energy booster; however, there's no evidence that it will aid in weight loss. Consult your doctor before adding any dietary supplements to your diet.

About D-Ribose

Ribose is a simple sugar your body makes on its own. In your body, ribose helps make adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, which is the source of energy found in your muscles. The amount of ATP your muscles are able to store is limited, making ribose an important nutrient for muscle energy for athletes, which is where the interest lies in supplementation. Proponents claim that ribose supplements help promote faster recovery after exercise, improving exercise effectiveness and duration, which helps with weight loss.

Ribose is a simple sugar your body makes on its own.
In your body, ribose helps make adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, which is the source of energy found in your muscles.

Energy Boosting

How to Take BSN N.O.-Xplode

Learn More

When it comes to energy boosting, D-ribose does not seem to be a very effective supplement for athletes. A study published in 2006 in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research investigated the effects of D-ribose supplementation on exercise performance in a group of men 2. The study found that the sugar supplement did not work any better than a placebo on power or performance in the study group and concluded that D-ribose supplementation may not be a good energy booster for exercise.

When it comes to energy boosting, D-ribose does not seem to be a very effective supplement for athletes.
The study found that the sugar supplement did not work any better than a placebo on power or performance in the study group and concluded that D-ribose supplementation may not be a good energy booster for exercise.

D-Ribose and Weight Loss

Supplementing with ribose to give you a boost during exercise may not help your weight-loss efforts. If you're trying to improve energy for a better workout as part of your weight-loss plan, drink plenty of water to stay adequately hydrated, and eat a healthy, carb-focused meal three to four hours before you exercise.

Count Those Calories

Benefits & Side Effects of HMB

Learn More

As a source of sugar, D-ribose supplements contain calories. While the calorie content may vary, one chewable tab is noted to have 25 calories. When following a weight-loss diet, you have to take all calories into account, even those from supplements. Consuming an extra 25 calories every day without making any other changes to your diet or exercise routine may lead to a 2.5-pound weight gain at the end of a year.

As a source of sugar, D-ribose supplements contain calories.
Consuming an extra 25 calories every day without making any other changes to your diet or exercise routine may lead to a 2.5-pound weight gain at the end of a year.