Every day we engage in a world of communication, maintaining connections with colleagues, family, and friends. Communication goes beyond external connections—within our bodies, complex systems are at work, coordinating signals to ensure every cell functions properly and our internal balance is maintained.
Just like a computer encodes data to transmit the right message, our bodies use deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to encode instructions, which are then relayed by ribonucleic acid (RNA) as the messenger to ensure the correct expression of genetic information.1
Understanding the Basics of DNA and RNA
DNA and RNA are made from the same fundamental units, known as nucleotides. Think of these as the "letters" in a unique alphabet with only four characters. Understanding these four bases is like learning a new language, but one that’s surprisingly simple and essential to all life. These basic building blocks are not only fundamental to life but are also easily accessible to us nutritionally.1 In fact, for many years, scientists doubted DNA could hold the key to genetics because its structure seemed too simple to explain the complexity of genetic variation. It wasn’t until 1944 that researchers recognized DNA as the true carrier of genetic information.2
The four letters of the DNA alphabet—A, C, G, and T—stand for adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine, the four nucleotides that make up our genetic code. RNA operates similarly to DNA, using just four "letters" to encode information. It shares three of DNA’s four bases—A, C, and G—but substitutes thymine (T) with its own unique base, uracil (U), creating a code of A, C, G, and U.1
DNA or RNA: How Are They Different?
Almost every cell in your body contains the same DNA, but it's the RNA sequence that gives each cell its distinct identity. The body relies on DNA as the "blueprint" designer, while RNA is in charge of making sure the correct proteins get built according to the design. Both are essential for life, but they have unique roles in the cell’s processes.1,3
Imagine DNA is like the blueprint for building a house—it has all the plans for every part of the house. RNA manages the blueprints, makes a list of materials, and tells everyone exactly what to do – this is called transcription. Each room in the house represents a different protein, the completed pieces we can see and put to use.
The Power of RNA and Protein Production
RNA's ability to guide protein production in your body is a key factor in maintaining your health.4 This is an incredibly powerful idea, with wide-reaching implications for how your body operates or where it might face challenges. By adjusting RNA levels, you can precisely influence the amount of any protein in the body, with remarkable accuracy.1,4 This RNA-modification process is a natural regulatory mechanism that occurs in the body.
RNA wasn’t always thought to be an essential nutrient. It was thought that the body could make enough of the RNA building blocks (nucleotides), needed to create new DNA or RNA. But making just one adenine (the “A” nucleotide base) is a multi-step process, showing just how much energy is required to produce each base! 5
From Genes to Wellness: How Nucleotides Fuel the Body
Nucleotides aren’t just essential for building genetic material—they also offer health benefits on their own. As DNA and RNA break down, they release nucleotides, which can then be repurposed for a variety of positive functions within the body.1
Since nucleotides and RNA are natural components of the human diet, the body is equipped with mechanisms to process, absorb, and incorporate these molecules into its tissues. These processes, which have been extensively studied, include facilitated diffusion, active transport, sodium-dependent cotransport, and tissue incorporation.6 As a result, RNA from food is easily absorbed through these familiar and efficient processes when digested.
While nucleotides and RNA are found in many foods, they may not be present in enough quantities when the body requires extra support. Increased need for RNA nucleotides is widely recognized in individuals recovering from surgery, trauma, burns, cancer, and pneumonia.7-9 However, research suggests that a greater demand for nucleotides extends to a much broader group. People with digestive issues, those needing to produce more cells to heal from injury, and those under significant emotional, physical, or structural stress may all need more nucleotides than what can be absorbed from food alone.10-15
When the body is not in optimal health, it turns to food and supplements for more of these essential building blocks, reducing the need to create each nucleotide base "from scratch" through an energy-consuming process. In these situations, more of the RNA from diet or supplements is absorbed and transported to tissues where it’s turned into functional RNA strands for use in those specific areas.16 The nucleotide bases (A, G, C, and U) absorbed from food and supplements help restore balance in the body during times of stress, rapid growth, or limited food resources.17
So, What Exactly Is a Nucleotide Blend?
Nucleotide Blends are a mixture of nucleotides from RNA, designed with a focus on various aspects of health and wellness. The specific combinations used in these blends are proprietary, but they all consist of the same basic nucleotides—A, C, G, and U—in different proportions.
Want to learn even more about nucleotides? Check out Dr. Amy’s free guidebook and explore the full line of Nucleotide Blends.
The information expressed on this webpage does not constitute an attempt to practice medicine nor does it establish a doctor-patient relationship. Content on the site is for informational and educational purposes only. The information expressed is not meant to replace you working with a physician or health care practitioner.
Information and statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or be used as the basis for treating a particular symptom or disease. Any products discussed or endorsed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any diseases or be used as the basis for treating a particular symptom or disease. If you have specific healthcare concerns or questions about the products displayed, contact your licensed healthcare professional for advice or answers.
References:
1. Alberts B JA, Lewis J, et al. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 4th ed. From DNA to RNA. Garland Science; 2002.
2. Avery OT, Macleod CM, McCarty M. Studies on the chemical nature of the substance inducing transformation of Pneumococcal types : Induction of transformation by a Desoxyribonucleic Acid fraction isolated from Pneumococcus Type III. J Exp Med. Feb 01 1944;79(2):137-58. doi:10.1084/jem.79.2.137
3. Cenik C, Cenik ES, Byeon GW, et al. Integrative analysis of RNA, translation, and protein levels reveals distinct regulatory variation across humans. Genome Res. Nov 2015;25(11):1610-21. doi:10.1101/gr.193342.115
4. Qiu L, Jing Q, Li Y, Han J. RNA modification: mechanisms and therapeutic targets. Mol Biomed. Aug 24 2023;4(1):25. doi:10.1186/s43556-023-00139-x
5. Bera PP, Stein T, Head-Gordon M, Lee TJ. Mechanisms of the Formation of Adenine, Guanine, and Their Analogues in UV-Irradiated Mixed NH. Astrobiology. Aug 2017;17(8):771-785. doi:10.1089/ast.2016.1614
6. Norton R, Leite J, Vieira E, et al. Use of nucleotides in weanling rats with diarrhea induced by a lactose overload: effect on the evolution of diarrhea and weight and on the histopathology of intestine, liver and spleen. Braz J Med Biol Res. Feb 2001;34(2):195-202. doi:10.1590/s0100-879x2001000200006
7. O'Flaherty L, Bouchier-Hayes DJ. Immunonutrition and surgical practice. Proc Nutr Soc. Nov 1999;58(4):831-7. doi:10.1017/s0029665199001123
8. Braga M, Gianotti L, Radaelli G, et al. Perioperative immunonutrition in patients undergoing cancer surgery: results of a randomized double-blind phase 3 trial. Arch Surg. Apr 1999;134(4):428-33. doi:10.1001/archsurg.134.4.428
9. Bower RH, Cerra FB, Bershadsky B, et al. Early enteral administration of a formula (Impact) supplemented with arginine, nucleotides, and fish oil in intensive care unit patients: results of a multicenter, prospective, randomized, clinical trial. Crit Care Med. Mar 1995;23(3):436-49. doi:10.1097/00003246-199503000-00006
10. Uauy R, Quan R, Gil A. Role of nucleotides in intestinal development and repair: implications for infant nutrition. J Nutr. Aug 1994;124(8 Suppl):1436S-1441S. doi:10.1093/jn/124.suppl_8.1436S
11. Singhal A, Kennedy K, Lanigan J, et al. Dietary nucleotides and early growth in formula-fed infants: a randomized controlled trial. Pediatrics. Oct 2010;126(4):e946-53. doi:10.1542/peds.2009-2609
12. Palermo FA, Cardinaletti G, Cocci P, Tibaldi E, Polzonetti-Magni A, Mosconi G. Effects of dietary nucleotides on acute stress response and cannabinoid receptor 1 mRNAs in sole, Solea solea. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol. Mar 2013;164(3):477-82. doi:10.1016/j.cbpa.2012.12.005
13. Mc Naughton L, Bentley D, Koeppel P. The effects of a nucleotide supplement on the immune and metabolic response to short term, high intensity exercise performance in trained male subjects. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. Mar 2007;47(1):112-8.
14. Ostojic SM, Idrizovic K, Stojanovic MD. Sublingual nucleotides prolong run time to exhaustion in young physically active men. Nutrients. Nov 21 2013;5(11):4776-85. doi:10.3390/nu5114776
15. Ogita K, Suita S, Taguchi T, Yamanouchi T, Masumoto K, Nakao M. Roles of nucleosides and nucleotide mixture in small bowel transplantation. Nutrition. Apr 2002;18(4):338-42. doi:10.1016/s0899-9007(01)00744-4
16. Suchner U, Kuhn KS, Fürst P. The scientific basis of immunonutrition. Proc Nutr Soc. Nov 2000;59(4):553-63. doi:10.1017/s0029665100000793
17. PDR for Nutritional Supplements. 1st ed. Physicians' Desk Reference for Nutritional Supplement. Medical Economics Company; 2001.
