By Dr. Larry Sosna N.D. PhD HHP
SOSNA LABORATORIES® 02/2015 Corvalen® Chews are an all natural D-ribose supplement clinically proven to help restore and replenish core energy. D-ribose is a natural pentose sugar that is designed for the support of cardiovascular health, fatigue, energy production, and mitochondrial function†. Corvalen® chewable tablets are great tasting with natural orange/vanilla flavoring sweetened with xylitol, and readily absorbed into the body. FUNCTIONS Corvalen® contains pure D-ribose, a safe and clinically researched ingredient that supports the natural way our bodies produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy currency of the cell. †Ribose is the vital structural backbone of critical cellular compounds called purines and pyrimidines. Our bodies must have an adequate supply of purines and pyrimidines to form major cellular constituents such as our genetic material (DNA and RNA), numerous cofactors, certain vitamins, and, importantly, adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Ribose is the starting point for the synthesis of these fundamental cellular compounds, and the availability of ribose determines the rate at which they can be made by our cells and tissues. D-ribose is a structural component of DNA, RNA, ATP, GTP, flavins (FAD, riboflavin) and other important nucleotides found in all living cells. Ribose is formed naturally via the pentose phosphate pathway. This pathway is slow and rate-limited in cardiac and skeletal muscle due to an inherently low concentration (lack of expression) of the enzymes, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. The product of this pathway is ribose-5-phosphate, which in turn is converted to 5-phosphoribosyl-1- pyrophosphate (PRPP), the primary driver in the synthesis and salvage of purine nucleotides. No other compound can be used by the body for this metabolic purpose. Purine nucleotides (ATP and its precursors) lost due to ischemia, hypoxia, or genetic predisposition are replaced via the purine nucleotide pathway. This pathway is rate limited by the availability of ribose in tissue. Administration of exogenous ribose bypasses the rate-limiting steps in the pentose phosphate pathway, resulting in a significant acceleration of PRPP. Renewed concentration of ATP is accompanied by an increased energy potential in the cell, also known as the “energy charge.” Cardiac and skeletal muscle functions (i.e. contraction, cell wall maintenance, relaxation, polarization of the cell membrane) each require a different, quantifiable energy charge to drive or provide allosteric regulation for each function. Restoration of cellular energy charge restores function consistent with the degree of energy charge restored. D-ribose is indicated for sports and fitness activities because it helps to reduce the loss of energy during stress and accelerate energy and tissue/muscle recovery†. Endurance athletes and strength training athletes may both benefit from the effects of supplemental D-ribose. Unless our hearts have an adequate supply of ribose, they simply cannot satisfy their astonishing energy demand. Our bodies make ribose naturally, but in times of stress the need is greater than our supply to satisfy the loss of energy from our cells. That is why supplementing with d-ribose can support proper heart function and helps maintain healthy stroke volume during and after high intensity exercise†. A study by Olman et al. in 2003 showed beneficial effects on diastolic function and quality of life in compromised patients after only 3 weeks of supplemental D-ribose. Although D-ribose is a five-carbon monosaccharide, it does not raise blood sugar. Corvalen® D-ribose is non-GMO. D-ribose is rapidly and readily (~95%) absorbed with peak blood levels found within 30 – 45 minutes. Ribose not taken up by the cell is excreted unchanged in the urine. Corvalen® D-ribose is GRAS (generally recognized as safe), a determination that results only after considerable toxicology studies are performed and an expensive and time consuming FDA process is completed.