Little Known But Powerful Supplements Part 1 - D-Ribose / Coconut Oil

This is the first part of our series on little known supplements and how they might help your health, fitness or sports regimen.

Ribose - Ribose is a simple carbohydrate that serves as a building block for energy carriers, signaling molecules and nucleic acids.  Which basic means it helps with improved energy levels, endurance and recovery.  Ribose is synergistic with natural and supplemented Creatine in that without Ribose your body cannot complete the creation of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) which is your main source of energy.  The body makes Ribose from glucose through a complicated set of steps, unfortunately this process is quite slow and may take days to complete, in contrast, via supplementation, Ribose is immediately available to the body to help unlock the ATP in your body and help throw it into your bloodstream.

How does it work:
1.  Ribose can be sued to create glucose and glycogen.  This gives you the energy of sugar without affecting blood sugar levels.
2.  When oxygen is available, Ribose can turn into pyruvate, another energy source.
3.  And, as discussed above, Ribose is necessary for ATP production.

Take 2-5g before exercise for improved energy and endurance and/or the same amount within 1 hour of exercise to speed recovery.

Coconut Oil - is a great source of MCT (medium chain triglycerides).  MCT are a source of fuel that is more efficiently metabolized compared with LCT (long chain) found in most food oils.  Studies have shown that adding MCT into your healthy fats profile will support metabolic rate and energy expenditures and help you burn calories more efficiently and help lose fat.

Take 2-3g of Coconut Oil in capsule or oil form, the extra virgin oil is the best.

Try both of these supplements to improve your metabolic rate and improve your overall health and energy levels!

Till next time!

Stace