Nutrients M-R - The Environmental Illness Resource

D-ribose Powder: ribose swelling

sem — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:53:37 +0100

I started this product in hopes of improving energy for CFS. I took a low dose and gradually added more. I noticed the calves of my legs were starting to swell and my legs felt "hard" like my skin was stretched tight. It was even worse after I took a bike ride. I felt like I was walking on "elephant" legs with odd sensation. I have since stopped the ribose and my legs are back to normal. I was really hoping this stuff would work for me but the side affect is too much to bear.

D-ribose Powder: Rapid improvement in physical and mental energy

Maff — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 17:00:27 +0100

After reading articles by the doctors mentioned above as well as some of the research regarding the use of D-ribose in heart disease patients I couldn't wait to try it for myself.

Through reading about the mechanisms by which D-ribose reportedly increases energy in the body I became convinced that it would be of benefit, at least to some degree.

I purchased the Doctor's Best brand which although still quite expensive is great value compared to similar products. I began taking 2.5g of the powder twice per day. Most doctors recommend double this amount to begin with. I found the results to be very good at this low dose so didn't need to up it to 5g.

Although it may take a number of days to experience the benefits of D-ribose I noticed positive results on the very first day. I suffer badly from poor mental energy (lack of motivation, mental sluggishness etc) as much or more than poor physical energy and I would describe the effect from D-ribose as 'a light switch being flipped in my brain'. I experienced improved motivation and ability to begin tasks, improved mood and enjoyment of activities, and a general sense of energy and well-being. This effect was maintained over the following week and I also began to experience improved physical energy and less fatigue both during and after activity.

The only downside I experienced was that after a while I began to feel over-stimulated but this is something that I often experience with any stimulating supplement and is not likely to be an issue for the majority of people. Other than that I didn't experience any other side-effects. Some reviewers elsewhere have reported that the powder has a bad taste but I didn't find this to be the case. It is a mild, sweet tasting powder. I have tasted much worse!

I would cetainly recommend that anyone suffering from CFS or other fatigue related illness give D-ribose a trial as it may produce profound improvements.

Melatonin: Cheap and Effective

Maff — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 15:51:36 +0100

As a chronic fatigue syndrome patient I have suffered from sleep disturbances for many years. I use 1mg melatonin capsules on an as needed basis and find that they reliably induce sleep within 30 minutes when taken after getting into bed at night.

Initially I tried higher doses of 3 and 5mg and noticed a slight drowsiness in the morning. I have found that 1mg is just as effective at helping me get off to sleep and doesn't produce any drowsiness at all in the morning. I have also not experienced any other side effects and am not aware of any safety concerns when taking such low doses.

Melatonin supplements are very cheap and a bottle will last a long time, especially when used only when absolutely necessary.

I have tried various other sleep aids, some of which have worked and some haven't, but I tend to come back to melatonin as it works reliably, has no side effects and doesn't cost the earth!