What is Adenosine 5’-Monophosphate?
Adenosine 5’-monophosphate is one of four nucleotides that are added to most standard infant formulas.
Nucleotides are not nutrients. They molecules important for metabolism. While they have many roles, they are best known as the subunits or building blocks of DNA and RNA. Nucleotides are also involved in reactions that convert food to energy and for making compounds the body needs.
Nucleotides are found in human milk, therefore are also added to infant formulas.
The other nucleotides found infant formula are:
Since all four nucleotides have the same role infant formula, we created one main article to explain them.
Why are Nucleotides in Baby Formula?
Nucleotides are added to infant formula for two reasons. First, they are found in human milk, and compounds in milk are assumed to have benefits to infants. Indeed, some research suggests that they may have health benefits related to:
early infant growth
development of the small intestine
healthy microbiome
immune function
But as I’ll explain in the main article on nucleotides, the research on nucleotides in infant formula is weak. One could say it is very weak.