Beneficial Nucleotides:

Reducing Diarrhea
by Marc L. Masor, PhD
Science Educator, M&M Arts and Science, LLP

Scientific Overview
Nucleotides are semi-essential nutrients with numerous In four clinical studies involving almost 4,000 infants,
critical physiologic functions—they’re the building blocks the nucleotide-supplemented formula reduced episodes of
of DNA, essential for energy metabolism and critical for diarrhea by 24-63% compared to a control formula.3, 7-9
cellular signaling.1,2
Incidence of Diarrhea With Nucleotide-
Supplemented Formula vs. Control Formula3,7-9
Merolla, et al. Yau, et al. Brunser, et al. Pickering, et al.

-25% -24%
P<0.004
P<0.05

NUCLEOTIDES

-43%
P<0.05
-63%
Evidence shows they’re particularly important for rapidly P<0.05

proliferating tissues during development, including both

immune cells and the intestinal mucosa.1-6 REDUCED DIARRHEA EPISODES BY 24-63%

Applying to Your Practice Key Takeaways

Not all infant formulas contain the same levels of
nucleotides. Formulas containing 72 mg/L of nucleotides
have been clinically shown to help support GI health, reduce
diarrhea and enhance maturation of the infant’s immune
system.3-6,8 Recommend an infant formula with a high level
(72 mg/L) of nucleotide fortification to match levels in
breast milk.10
Recommend an Infant Formula With a High Level (72 mg/L)
of Nucleotides to Help Support GI Health, Reduce Diarrhea
and Enhance Maturation of the Infant’s Immune System
1 Four clinical studies have shown that nucleotides can
help in the reduction of infant diarrhea.3,7-9
2 Studies with formula containing 72 mg/L nucleotides
have shown a reduction in diarrhea,3,8 increased
response to multiple vaccines3,5 and T-cells more like
breastfed infants.4
3 Not all infant formulas contain a high level (72 mg/L) of
nucleotide fortification to match levels in breast milk.10

www.PediatricNutritionAdvocate.org
References: 1. Aggett P, et al. Innovation in Infant Formula Development: A Reassessment of Ribonucleotides in 2002. Nutrition 2003; 19:375–384. 2. Carver JD. Dietary
Nucleotides: Cellular Immune, Intestinal and Hepatic System Effects. J. Nutr. 124: 144S-148S, 1994. 3. Pickering LK, et al. Modulation of the immune system by human milk
and infant formula containing nucleotides. Pediatrics. 1998;101(2):242–9. 4. Buck RH, et al. Effect of dietary ribonucleotides on infant immune status. Part 2: Immune cell
development. Pediatr Res. 2004;56:891-900. 5. Schaller JP, et al. Effect of Dietary Ribonucleotides on Infant Immune Status. Part 1: Humoral Responses. Pediatr Res 56:
883–890, 2004. 6. Schaller JP, et al. Ribonucleotides: Conditionally essential nutrients shown to enhance immune function and reduce diarrheal disease in infants. Seminars
in Fetal & Neonatal Medicine (2007) 12, 35e44. 7. Merolla R, et al. Evaluation of the effects of a nucleotide-enriched formula on the incidence of diarrhea. Italian multicenter
national study. Minerva Pediatr. 2000 Dec;52(12):699–711. 8. Yau KT, et al. Effect of nucleotides on diarrhea and immune responses in healthy term infants in Taiwan. J Pediatr
Gastroenterol Nutr. 2003;36(1):37–43. 9. Brunser O, et al. Effect of dietary nucleotide supplementation on diarrhoeal disease in infants. Acta Paediatr 1994;83:188e91.
10. Leach JL, Baxter JH, Molitor BE, Ramstack MB, Masor ML. Total potentially available nucleosides of human milk by stage of lactation. Am J Clin Nutr 1995; 61:1224-1230.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Abbott.