Corvalen M ®
D-Ribose with Magnesium and Malate
DESCRIPTION
Corvalen M ® D-ribose, distributed exclusively to healthcare professionals by Douglas
Laboratories, is a natural pentose sugar that is designed for the support of fatigue, energy
production, and mitochondrial function. Magnesium and malate are added to this formula to
help in the utilization of energy and support symptoms of fatigue.
FUNCTIONS
Corvalen M® 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.
A deficiency of ATP energy in the cell, also called mitochondrial dysfunction, can lead to
symptoms of occasional muscle pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and brain fog. It has been
postulated that some people may have an alteration in muscle adenine nucleotide metabolism,
which leads to depleted energy reserves and an imbalance in cellular ATP:ADP:AMP ratios with
an abnormal energy charge. A study performed on 41 patients with symptoms of fatigue and
muscle pain resulted in approximately 66% of patients experiencing significant improvement
while on D-ribose, with an average increase in energy on the visual analog scale of 45%, and
an average improvement in overall well-being of 30%.
Malic acid is a naturally occurring organic acid and an important intermediate in the Krebs cycle,
acting as an electron donor to the phosphorylization reactions in the mitochondria. Magnesium
is critical in facilitating hundreds of biochemical reactions including those involved in energy
production. Although D-ribose is a five-carbon monosaccharide, it does not raise blood sugar.
Corvalen M® D-ribose is highly soluble in both hot and cold solutions and tastes slightly sweet
and tart. Corvalen M® 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 by the FDA.
