Nucleotides, or NTs for short, are compounds that are found in all human cells. They are also found in breast milk. NTs play a number of important roles in babies’ development. They may enhance the infection-fighting activity of white blood cells, as well as helping to produce other cells and substances that help to fight infection. NTs have also been shown to reduce the incidence and duration of diarrhoea in infants. As well as helping the baby’s immune system, NTs may encourage the growth of “good” bacteria in the gut and help to make Long Chain Polyunsaturates (LCPs) in the body. One NT called inosine may help the baby to absorb dietary iron. This is especially important for older babies, as their natural iron stores are used up by around four to six months of age.
Infants can make NTs themselves. However, because they grow so quickly, the demand for NTs in the body may outweigh the amount they can make for themselves. For this reason, it may be important for babies to get NTs from dietary sources as well. Breast milk contains at least 9 NTs. Infant formulas containing several NTs are now available.
If your formula contains NTs, they will be listed on your can or packet under the heading “Ingredients”, or in the Nutrition Information Panel. Permitted NTs added to infant formulas are: cytidine-5-rnonophosphate (CMP); disodium uridine-5-monophosphate (UMP); adenosine-5-monophosphate (AMP); disodium inosine-5-monophosphate (IMP); and disodium guanosine-5-rnonophosphate (GMP). Some formulas contain these five NTs, while others do not have any inosine added, and therefore contain only four. These five are the only ones permitted by the Australasian Infant Formula Standard (2.9.1).
This information was kindly provided by one of our members. It is provided for information only, and should not be used by itself to make a choice among infant formula types. Discuss such matters with your health professional advisor before making a choice.