"Nucleotides" are compounds that play an important role in growth and immunity. "Nucleotides" are low molecular weight intracellular compounds. "Nucleotides" are involved in the most cellular processes and play an important role in the structural and regulatory functions in the body. In the past, they were considered unnecessary nutrients because of no signs of deficiency or lack of "nucleotides". But now it has been shown that some cells have very limited capacity to make nucleotides. In these cells, the supply of nucleotides from the external source (diet) are important for their normal functions.
Role of "nucleotides":
- Participating in the process of energy transfer and body growth
- Participating in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, proteins and nucleic acids (DNA, RNA)
- having the important role in the development and growth of the intestine and the digestive tract
- having important role in immune system
- having important role in delivering cellular messages
References:
Wang, Lanfang, et al. "Effects of dietary nucleotide supplementation on growth in infants: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. European journal of nutrition (2019): 1213-1221.
Ros, Gaspar, et al. "Bioactive Components of Human Milk: Similarities and Differences between Human Milk and Infant Formula." Selected Topics in Breastfeeding. IntechOpen, 2018.
Davanzo, Riccardo, Jenny Bua, and Laura Travan. "Human Milk and Formulas for Neonatal Nutrition." Neonatology: A Practical Approach to Neonatal Diseases (2018): 557-586.