D-ribose is used to improve athletic performance and the ability to exercise by boosting muscle energy. It has also been used to improve symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Fibromyalgia and coronary artery disease.

Ribose has been used to prevent symptoms such as cramping, pain and stiffness after exercise in people with an inherited disorder called myoadenylate deaminase deficiency (MAD) or AMP deaminase deficiency (AMPD deficiency).

Ribose has also been used to improve exercise ability in people with another inherited disordered called McArdie’s disease.