Maintaining healthy cell energy: Bioenergy counters the effect of fructose with ribose

15 Jan 2024 --- Bioenergy highlights the potential of its ribose ingredient in supporting metabolic health by helping the body maintain healthy levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This nucleic acid plays a central role in healthy cell functioning. Aging, diseases and diets containing fructose — a commonly used food ingredient — may lower ATP levels.

The energy from ATP fuels many cellular activities and processes, such as active transport across cell membranes, cell signaling, protein synthesis and muscle contraction. 

“ATP Is the body’s energy currency. It enables our muscles to move, our heart to beat and our nerves to keep firing. Low ATP can harm us in various ways because it can lead to damaged cellular structure,” Michael Crabtree, Bioenergy Life Science (BLS) director of scientific affairs, tells Nutrition Insight. 

He explains that Bioenergy Ribose is a clinically validated form of D-ribose essential to activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). This enzyme tracks the balance between AMP (adenosine monophosphate) and ATP, which is necessary for making energy in cells. In addition, D-ribose helps make more mitochondria, thus increasing ATP. 

“The AMP-to-ATP ratio increases when energy levels are low, for example, when we’re stressed, suffering from disease or illness, exercising or not eating a proper diet,” details Crabtree. “And that’s when AMPK gets activated. Once AMPK is up and running, it starts a chain of events to help get our energy levels back to normal.” 

Threat of low ATP levels 
The body is designed to replenish ATP naturally, but various diseases or metabolic deficiencies can disrupt the cellular mechanics of ATP turnover. Moreover, most body tissues cannot make ribose quickly enough to restore energy levels once depleted. 

Crabtree explains that ATP also plays a crucial role in managing the amount of water in a cell, as hormones and nutrients help address how well molecules in cells interact. 

“When the cell lacks enough energy, like in cases of inadequate purine supplementation, muscles easily get tired and retain too much water. This loosens the structure of the cell, allowing large molecules, ATP and other substances to leak out while unwanted substances may enter.”  

For example, he explains that specific enzymes found in muscles, such as lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase, may be detected in the bloodstream when someone has hypothyroid myopathy — a condition associated with low thyroid hormone levels. 

Research indicates that fructose reduces the active energy or ATP in the cell while blocking its regeneration from fat stores.“Additionally, heart proteins, including a particular form of lactic dehydrogenase and a muscle protein called troponin, can appear in the blood after the heart is under stress or fatigued, especially when combined with ATP depletion or systemic inflammation.”

“The body recognizes any disruption of normal cell or tissue structure as a problem to be corrected,” emphasizes Crabtree, “the appearance of ATP outside cells is a basic sign of damage and danger.” 

He adds that special enzymes degrade extracellular ATP into other purines, such as AMP and adenosine, contributing to alarm-stress signals. “Increased serotonin synthesis is one of the most important responses to leaked ATP and adenosine, but serotonin can increase the disorder of the actin system, increasing leakiness in a vicious circle.” 

Role of diet 
Research has shown that fructose reduces the active energy or ATP in the cell while blocking its regeneration from fat stores. This process may result in increased hunger, fat storage and blood sugar levels. 

Last year, a team from the US found that fructose is metabolized differently from glucose by stimulating fat production as a type of stored energy instead of making ATP for immediate energy. An overproduction of fructose from a modern lifestyle activates a human foraging instinct that scientists suggest may hold clues to developing and treating Alzheimer’s disease. 

“Fructose flips a survival switch in our bodies. It turns off the key enzyme, AMPK, which is crucial for energy balance and metabolism,” details Crabtree. 

“By formulating foods, beverages and dietary supplements that contain fructose with Bioenergy Ribose, we can potentially neutralize the harmful effects of fructose. This would support metabolic health by helping maintain a healthy weight, manage blood sugar levels and improve overall energy levels.” 

D-ribose is made naturally when the body converts glucose into ribose, which can be used to drive energy metabolism pathways. 

Adding Bioenergy Ribose in F&B or supplements can potentially neutralize the effects of fructose (Image credit: BLS).Neutralizing fructose 
Crabtree explains that D-Ribose is the starting material for making AMP in cells in the AMP salvage pathway. It changes into phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate, which helps make AMP through a series of reactions with other molecules. 

“In addition to being clinically proven to increase ATP levels, preliminary research shows that Bioenergy Ribose effectively activates AMPK,” he adds. 

Marianne McDonagh, BLS VP of sales, tells us that Bioenergy Ribose suits various applications and formulations. 

“These range from tablets, capsules, powders, gummies, effervescents, foods and beverages, cosmetic and personal care products and animal nutrition products. Bioenergy Ribose is fully soluble in any liquid, slightly sweet to add to the taste profile, is highly heat tolerant and improves the bioavailability of many commonly used vitamins or amino acids.” 

She adds that BLS will continue researching Bioenergy Ribose, proving its effectiveness and uncovering more of this molecule’s benefits. 

“In the near future, we will unveil science demonstrating how Bioenergy Ribose improves the bioavailability of and is crucial in the absorption of vitamins, which are so popular in various products.” 

“We will also unveil advanced technology featuring RiaGev, our next-level NAD booster, better to support our customers and their desire for cutting-edge products,” McDonagh concludes. “And we will continue developing our newest innovation, SweetR (the first-ever functional sweetener), expanding it into various products and applications.”

 By Jolanda van Hal