D-ribose is a naturally occurring monosaccharide within the pentose pathway that assists with ATP production.Cells produce D-ribose through the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) that is essential for ATP production.

d-Ribose has been used to treat many pathological conditions, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and myocardial dysfunction. It is also used to reduce symptoms of cramping, pain, stiffness, etc. after exercise and to improve athletic performance.

Ribose plays a central role in the chemistry of modern life on Earth. The sugar backbones of ribonucleic acids (RNA) and deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA) are formed by polymeric chains of nucleotides which contain a ribose and a deoxyribose (a cyclic pentose without a 2′ oxygen), respectively. 

D RIBOSE FOR BIOCHEMISTRY