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Five nucleic acid bases make up the information code of life. Both DNA and
RNA share
three of the bases -adenine, guanine, and cytosine. In DNA, the fourth base is
thymine,
whereas in RNA it is uracil. In DNA, each base combines with a five carbon sugar
called
deoxyribose, hence the term DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. In RNA, each
base
combines with the five-carbon sugar ribose, thus RNA stands for ribonucleic
acid.
The information code in DNA in the cell nucleus is transcribed to RNA,
which is then
translated to all the enzymes and proteins made in the body. The DNA to RNA to
protein
translation mechanism makes possible the vast diversity of life on earth.
When DNA and RNA are ingested intact, they are intensely metabolized by
intestinal
bacteria and the intestinal lining. Over 95% of the pyrimidines bases cytosine,
thymine,
and uracil are degraded by the intestinal lining before reaching the blood
stream. Only
about 3% of the pyrimidines make it to the liver for further use in the body.
The fate of the
purine bases adenine and guanine is even more extreme. Over 99% of the purines
are
broken down to uric acid before being absorbed into the bloodstream. Therefore
only a tiny
fraction of ingested DNA or RNA becomes available for the numerous
functions required of
them throughout all the cells of the body.
In addition to ingested DNA and RNA elements, the body can make DNA and RNA bases from simpler nutrients in the diet. In particular, the amino acids glycine, glutamine, serine, and aspartic acid, along with vitamin cofactors are used to make DNA and RNA bases from scratch.
In order to make nucleic acids from simpler substances requires having all of the precursors and cofactors in adequate amounts at the time of production. In addition, it requires having sufficient amounts of numerous enzymes in the correct proportions and locations in the cell.
Recent evidence indicates that the body is often not able to make enough DNA and RNA to protect, repair, and regenerate cells to their optimum function. This is especially true for cells that have high turnover rates such as the intestinal lining that may fully replace itself every week.
The demand for production may particularly exceed synthetic
capacity under conditions of stress
in which the demand for greater cell activity and
function becomes acute, particularly for the dynamic populations of cells in the immune
system.
When demand exceeds production capacity, DNA and RNA base components
become
essential nutrients for protecting and preserving health. Numerous lines of
evidence will be
presented to show the far reaching health benefits of supplementing DNA and RNA
during
health stresses and even for general well being and longevity.