Nucleotides are such “building blocks” that build every cell in the body. Therefore, it is not difficult to guess that their presence (and the right amount in relation to the demand) will depend the proper development of a person, the work of the immune system, the nervous system (for example, the formation of neurotransmitters), the endocrine system or tissue regeneration. However, the role of nucleotides is not limited to this “building block”. It is much more — nucleotides improve the insulin sensitivity of tissues and participate in DNA strand repair processes, which is important in preventing cancer or neurodegenerative diseases, as well as slowing down the aging processes of the body (which in turn promotes longevity).

What are nucleotides made of?

Nucleotide It consists of sugar — pentoses (in DNA it is deoxyribose and in RNA it is ribose), Phosphate residue (at least one) and nitrogenous bases. Nitrogenous bases include in turn: adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine (in the case of DNA) and uracil (in the case of RNA). Depending on what pentose is part of the nucleotide, we can distinguish either deoxyribonucleotides (when the sugar is deoxyribose) or ribonucleotides (when the sugar is ribose).

For example, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), or the “energy currency” of cells, is a nucleotide consisting of three phosphate residues linked to ribose and adenine. In turn, ribose and adenine itself form a compound called adenosine, and such a combination (pentoses with a nitrogenous base, without a phosphate residue) is nucleoside.

What are the sources of nucleotides?

Nucleotides to the greatest extent are created by the body itself, but it is possible to deliver them with diet or in the form of supplementation. From food sources, the most nucleotides are found in meat, fish, seafood and seeds of legumes. A good source of them are also mushrooms (e.g. oyster mushrooms containing uridine, important for the construction of cell membranes in the nervous system and thus supporting brain function). To a lesser extent, we will provide nucleotides by eating vegetables (eg lettuce, cabbage), cereal products, eggs or fruits (e.g. avocado). So, if you want to meet the body's need for nucleotides, make sure that eat varied and nutritious. Malnutrition (as a result of an insufficient amount of food or a poorly balanced diet, e.g. the typical “Western diet”) will result in a deficiency of nucleotides and the associated consequences, such as susceptibility to infections.

However, there are situations where nucleotides need to be supplied in larger quantities and then Care should be taken to supplement these compounds.

This happens over time:

• intensive growth of the body (eg, infants, children);
• regeneration of tissues (eg, epithelium of the intestinal mucosa, after operations);
• infection, when the body needs building substances for intensive production of cells of the immune system.

Chronic stress whether intense physical exertion also increases the body's need for nucleotides, because these compounds are involved in energy metabolism (e.g. ATP, NAD+).

When to Supplement Nucleotides?

Babies and children in particular have an increased need for nucleotides, due to the intensive growth and maturation of the immune or digestive system. Numerous studies have shown that nucleotides contained in breast milk or infant formula have an effect on the immune system e.g. by increasing populations of B and T lymphocytes, antibodies (e.g. secretory IgA, IgG, IgM) and NK cells (Natural Killers). Also in adults, especially sick patients, after injuries or experiencing chronic gastrointestinal complaints nucleotide supplementation improves the state of health and the course of the disease.

The efficiency of the immune system depends not only on the availability of nutrients (malnutrition increases the risk of infection and worsens the course of the disease), but also on the tightness of the intestinal barrier. It is known that the intestines play an extremely important role in the work of the immune system, among other things, due to the presence of cells associated with both acquired and innate immunity, as well as a varied intestinal microbiota. Nucleotides can modulate the populations of microorganisms that inhabit our intestines. In turn, the aforementioned regeneration of the intestinal epithelium is important in maintaining immunity, because, firstly, they are a defense barrier against potentially harmful substances, and secondly, together with the removed epithelium, the body gets rid of potential pathogenic microbes that managed to “hook” on the intestinal walls.

With the development of science, we know more and more about the aging of the body, as well as the possibilities of slowing down this process. Many characteristic diseases are associated with mature age, for example, the risk of neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Alzheimer's disease), but also cancer, increases. An ally in their prevention is a healthy lifestyle and wise supplementation, which help to maintain both physical and mental fitness for as long as possible. We are talking about the so-called. healthspan, that is, a long life in health, also in old age.

It turns out that in addition to a healthy lifestyle (i.e. based on physical activity, not overeating and a varied diet consisting mainly of products of plant origin, with the addition of fish), For longevity, it is also important increase in the amount of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide in the body (NAD+, (eg. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide). NAD+ is involved in energy metabolism, detoxification and DNA repair processes, the neutralization of free radicals and the efficiency of the immune system. In addition, the activity of sirtuins, or proteins related to longevity, depends to a large extent precisely on the level of NAD+.

Due to the fact that NAD+ resources in the body decrease with age, as well as in the course of numerous diseases (e.g. cancer, but also viral, for example COVID-19), there is a need to supply this compound along with supplementation or by changing harmful habits. Scientific reports to date suggest that increasing the amount of NAD+ has neuroprotective effects and may prevent age-related neurodegenerative processes, mainly due to its antioxidant potential. The regeneration of NAD+ is possible, for example, through caloric restriction or physical activity, which further emphasizes the role of lifestyle in building longevity and maintaining health even in advanced age. Currently, scientists emphasize that in the context of longevity, supplementation of NAD+ precursors, e.g. nicotinic amino-adenine mononucleotide (NMN, nicotinamide mononucleotide).

• Are you training? Consider Nucleotide Supplementation

Physical activity, like caloric restriction, enhances NAD+ regeneration. Under the influence of intense physical exertion (for example, amateur sports, and especially competitive sports), the body's need for energy and biologically active components increases. These compounds are needed not only to meet training requirements, but also to support tissue regeneration or antioxidant defense. The main place of energy production is mitochondria, which produce ATP, the so-called “energy currency of the cell”. These organelles need NAD+ for proper functioning, which is not only involved in ATP production, but also antioxidant defense, i.e. neutralization of excess free radicals (which is a “side effect” of energy production). An excess of free radicals negatively affects the work of mitochondria and thus the entire cell, which can ultimately lead to a decrease in physical performance.

In a study published in the journal Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition the effect of NAD+ precursor (NMN) supplementation on the physical performance of amateur runners was analyzed. The subjects were randomly divided into 4 groups; each received a different dose of NMN or a placebo. After 6 weeks of supplementation, it was observed that the group of runners receiving the average and highest dose of NMN (600-1200 mg/day) significantly improved the aerobic capacity of the body, which may be due to the positive effect of NAD+ on the work of mitochondria.

Nucleotide supplementation can also be used to support the treatment of insulin resistance, as evidenced by the results of a study published in the journal Ciencia. The study involved postmenopausal women struggling with overweight or obesity and prediabetes. For 10 weeks, they took 250 mg of NMN or a placebo daily. NMN precursor supplementation significantly improved tissue insulin sensitivity to the extent observed after a 10% reduction in body weight. Of course, supplementation alone does not mean that we can not worry about diet and physical activity in the course of treatment of insulin resistance, but it can undoubtedly be a valuable support in this regard.

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