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RNA and DNA

RNA(ribonucleic acid) and DNA(deoxyribonucleic acid) are chemical compounds that can be produced by the body. However, they can also be produced in the laboratory. RNA and DNA are used as medicine. RNA / DNA combinations are used to improve memory and mental acuity, to treat and prevent Alzheimer's disease, to treat depression, to increase energy, to tighten the skin, to increase sex drive and to counteract the effects of aging. In hospitals, RNA is used in nutritional formulas containing omega-3 fatty acids and arginine. This combination is used to reduce the time it takes to recover from surgery, improve the immune system's response and improve the outcome of burns and intensive care patients. As an injection, RNA is used to treat skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, as well as hives and shingles.

How do RNA and DNA work?

RNA (ribonucleic acid) and DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) are chemicals called nucleotides that are produced by the body. They appear to be essential during periods of rapid growth, such as intestinal development, liver surgery or liver injury, and also during challenges to the immune system.

How effective are RNA and DNA?

RNA and DNA may be effective in shortening recovery time after surgery and illness. Supplementing the diet of patients undergoing major surgery with RNA, L-arginine and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) could improve recovery. Administration of this combination during the period surrounding surgery appears to improve immune response, reduce infection, improve wound healing and shorten recovery time. RNA and DNA may be ineffective in burn recovery. There is insufficient scientific data to draw a conclusion on the effectiveness of RNA and DNA for Alzheimer's disease, depression, reduced sex drive and sagging skin, when used to improve memory and reduce the effects of aging, and when administered as an injection for eczema, psoriasis, hives and shingles. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of RNA and DNA in these applications.

Safety and side effects

RNA appears to be safe and harmless for most people when taken in combination with omega-3 fatty acids and arginine, or injected under the skin. Injections may cause itching, redness and swelling at the injection site. Infant formulas containing RNA and DNA appear to be safe for children. There is not enough information to say whether orally ingested RNA / DNA combinations are safe and harmless.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and lactation: The use of RNA and DNA may not be safe for pregnant women. There is evidence that DNA may cross the placenta and cause birth defects.

Not enough is known about the safety and harmlessness of RNA and DNA during breastfeeding, so breastfeeding women should avoid RNA and DNA to be on the safe side.

Interactions

At the present time, there is no information on interactions of RNA and DNA with medications or supplements.

Dosage

The following dosages have been investigated in scientific studies:

Administered via a gastric tube:

  • To improve recovery after surgery: 30 mg RNA per kilogram of body weight per day in combination with arginine and omega 3 fatty acids.

References

  1. Bower RH, Cerra FB, Bershadsky B, et al. Early enteral administration of a formula (Impact) supplemented with arginine, nucleotides, and fish oil in intensive care unit patients: results of a multicenter, prospective, randomized clinical trial. Crit Care Med 1995;23:436-49.
  2. Daly JM, Lieberman MD, Goldfine J, et al. Enteral nutrition with supplemental arginine, RNA, and omega-3 fatty acids in patients after surgery: immunologic, metabolic and clinical outcome. Surgery 1992;112:56-67.
  3. Gianotti L, Braga M, Fortis C, et al. A prospective, randomized clinical trial on perioperative feeding with an arginine, omega-3-fatty acid, and RNA-enriched enteral diet: effect on host response and nutritional status. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr 1999;23:314-20.
  4. Kemen M, Senkal M, Homann HH, et al. Early postoperative enteral nutrition with arginine-omega-3 fatty acids and ribonucleic acid-supplemented diet vs placebo in cancer patients: an immunologic evaluation of impact. Crit Care Med 1995;23:652-9.
  5. Li L. Erythematous skin reaction to subcutaneous injection of ribonucleic acid. Contact Dermatitis 1999;41:239.
  6. Rudolph FB, Van Buren CT. The metabolic effects of enterally administered ribonucleic acids. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 1998;1:527-30.
  7. Saffle JR, Wiebke G, Jennings K, et al. Randomized trial of immune-enhancing enteral nutrition in burn patients. J Trauma 1997;42:793-802.
  8. Schubert R, Hohlweg U, Renz D, Doefler W. On the fate of orally ingested foreign DNA in mice: chromosomal association and placental transmission o the fetus. Mol Gen Genet 1998;259:569-76.
  9. Senkal M, Kemen M, Homann HH, et al. Modulation of postoperative immune response by enteral nutrition with a diet enriched with arginine, RNA, and omega-3 fatty acids in patients with upper gastrointestinal cancer. Eur J Surg 1995;161:115-22.
  10. Tepaske R, Velthuis H, Oudemans-van Straaten HM, et al. Effect of preoperative oral immune-enhancing nutritional supplement on patients at high risk of infection after cardiac surgery: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Lancet 2001;358:696-701.
  11. Van Buren CT, Rudolph F. Dietary nucleotides: a conditional requirement. Nutrition 1997;13:470-2.