Uridine monophosphate (UMP) – why is it essential for nervous system health?

All active compounds found inside the human body play a significant role in maintaining its proper functioning. Some of them, such as uridine, are one of the most important building blocks of our body. It participates in many biological reactions occurring at the interface of all human body systems, and its supplementation can bring a number of health benefits. What is worth knowing about uridine?

Uridine – a versatile nootropic

Uridine monophosphate (5'-uridylate or UMP) is a nootropic recommended by neurologists around the world. Why? Various studies in which this organic compound has undergone a series of clinical trials have shown that it stimulates mood, cognitive functions such as learning and memory, and much more. What exactly is uridine used for, and what is it from a purely chemical perspective?

Uridine – what is it?

Uridine is a pyrimidine nucleoside found in the cells of almost all living organisms on Earth. One of the active ingredients of uridine is uracil, which is one of three different groups of chemical units that produce ribonucleic acid (RNA), ribose and deoxyribose, and nitrogenous bases such as adenosine, guanine, thymidine and cytidine.

Uridine, available externally as uridine monophosphate, can be defined as the basic building block of synaptic synthesis in neurons. It participates in the construction of RNA, which, together with DNA, is responsible for protein synthesis in our bodies, thus playing an extremely important role in the functioning of our bodies.

Nootropics – what are they?

Uridine monophosphate is also called a nootropic. What does this unfamiliar term mean? Nootropic substances or supplements are designed to increase the supply of neurochemicals to the brain, namely:

• Neurotransmitters
• Enzymes
• Hormones

They also improve the supply of oxygen to the brain and stimulate nerve growth, participating in the neuroplastic functions of the human body. Uridine monophosphate fits this definition, as it is a transporter that helps uridine move through the digestive tract without damage, thus crossing the blood-brain barrier.

Uridine – where can it be found?

The pyrimidine nucleoside uridine can be found in a variety of foods that are on our tables every day. Despite the abundance of uridine in a balanced diet, neurologists recommend taking uridine in the form of nootropic drugs or dietary supplements containing the substance in the form of monophosphate due to its significant health benefits.

In supplementation, the phosphate group of uridine increases bioavailability and facilitates the substance's passage through the blood-brain barrier. This action is based on the precursor role of brain synapses and nerve cell membrane phospholipids, improving their cholinergic functions and ultimately supporting the liver and mitochondria.

The main foods in which we find uridine include:

• Sugar cane extract
• Vegetables such as broccoli or tomatoes
• Liver
• Beer
• Breast milk
• Barley

Although the above products contain large amounts of uridine, dietary sources of the substance cannot cross the blood-brain barrier, unlike supplements containing monophosphate.

Uridine monophosphate – what are its properties?

When consumed as a dietary supplement, uridine monophosphate is metabolised in the liver and gastrointestinal tract. Once it reaches the bloodstream, it crosses the blood-brain barrier, where it exerts its nootropic effects.

In the brain, uridine monophosphate has several distinctive properties:

Firstly –

• as an important building block, it increases the growth of neurites. Neurites are extensions of neurons that facilitate their connection with each other. In this way, synapses are increased and cognitive functions are improved in several aspects;

Secondly,

• it indirectly increases the level of available neurotransmitters. One of these indirect ways is to increase phosphatidylcholine in the brain, which promotes the release of acetylcholine and dopamine.

In addition to its direct functions in the central nervous system, uridine monophosphate also plays a visible role in cell rejuvenation and promoting balanced carbohydrate metabolism. It achieves this by supporting the function of mitochondria and liver cells.

Uridine – what does it help with and how does it work?

The health benefits of uridine are indisputable. How can its potential be harnessed by using uridine in the form of a dietary supplement? As it turns out, UMP can be helpful among other things in:

Preventive brain health –

• The brain is probably the most important organ that controls and coordinates all processes in the body. Uridine monophosphate is beneficial for the brain because it increases its plasticity by promoting synaptogenesis and neurogenesis, key processes that regulate brain function.

Improving memory –

• Memory depends in particular on brain plasticity, which is a trait associated with the ability to transform experiences into memories. Consuming uridine monophosphate improves memory, especially logical and verbal memory. What is more, uridine also serves to improve long-term memory, which explains why low levels of the substance in the brain cause memory impairment and reduced synaptic plasticity;

Reduction of inflammation and pain –

• Uridine alleviates inflammation. This function is beneficial not only for the brain, but also for other tissues, as uridine is a powerful inhibitor of leukocyte adhesion, which is considered key to inflammatory responses. As an anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent, uridine has a positive effect on maintaining the health and condition of muscle tissue;

Improved mood and alertness –

• The substance stimulates the release of many neurotransmitters, including dopamine, directly affecting our mood and our enjoyment of the tasks we perform. Stable dopamine levels in specific areas of the brain are essential for proper learning, motivation and attention. What is more, uridine also reduces the harmful effects of cortisol, the stress hormone;

Protecting nerve cells –

• Uridine monophosphate has many neuroprotective properties and is extremely useful in protecting the membranes of neurons and the myelin sheath of Schwann cells, which are responsible for neural communication and cognitive performance. Uridine improves neuron coordination and keeps the brain in a constant state of activity. It also prevents oxidative stress by suppressing free radicals and combating inflammatory reactions.

Dietary supplements with uridine monophosphate – what should they be combined with?

A number of clinical studies have shown that the benefits of taking uridine monophosphate are greater when combined with other supplements, as they reach the central nervous system faster and more efficiently.

Combining uridine with compounds such as choline, omega-3 fatty acids or B vitamins, especially vitamin B12, is recommended due to their synergistic effect, which increases the effectiveness of uridine and other active compounds.

Uridine – dietary supplement and its potential side effects

Uridine monophosphate is completely safe for health as it is produced naturally by our body. At excessive doses, users may experience minor side effects such as:

• Headaches
• Mild apathy
• Nervousness
• Gastrointestinal disorders

Uridine supplementation – method of administration and dosage

Uridine is taken orally or sublingually. When taken sublingually, it is several times more potent than when taken orally.

The recommended dose of uridine monophosphate is 50 mg to 1 g per day for adults. Many users start with doses of 150 to 250 mg twice a day, then slowly increase the dose. With very low doses, it will take much longer to notice the benefits. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose.

Opinions on uridine – what do users say about it?

Users of uridine speak positively about this extraordinary nootropic agent. Most people who supplement with uridine notice an improvement in memory and cognitive function after just four weeks of supplementation.

Also noteworthy is the confirmed information about the anti-inflammatory properties of uridine, which reduces pain and inflammation. It is likely that these effects, together with additional dopamine stimulation, contribute to a noticeable improvement in mood among people using monophosphate. The substance is also well tolerated and causes few side effects, most of which are reported after very high doses.

Bibliography

‘A Nutrient Combination that Can Affect Synapse Formation’ – R. J. Wurtman, Nutrients scientific journal, MDPI, 2014.

‘Adsorption of guanosine, cytidine, and uridine on a β-cyclodextrin derivative grafted chitosan’ – J. B. Xiao, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Wiley, 2007.

Central effects of stress hormones in health and disease: understanding the protective and damaging effects of stress and stress mediators – B. S. McEwen, European Journal of Pharmacology, Elsevier, 2008. Chronic Administration of DHA and UMP Improves the Impaired Memory of Environmentally Impoverished Rats – S. Holguin, Y. Huang, J. Liu, R. Wurtman, Behavioural Brain Research scientific journal, Elsevier, 2008.

‘Dietary supplementation with uridine-5'-monophosphate (UMP), a membrane phosphatide precursor, increases acetylcholine level and release in striatum of aged rat’ – L. Wang, M. A. Albrecht, R. J. Wurtman, scientific journal Brain Research, Elsevier, 2007.

‘Dietary uridine-5'-monophosphate supplementation increases potassium-evoked dopamine release and promotes neurite outgrowth in aged rats’ – L. Wang, A. M. Pooler, M. A. Albrecht, R. J. Wurtman, Journal of Molecular Neuroscience, Springer, 2005.

‘Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 1'-branched and spironucleoside analogues’ – C. Chatgilialoglu et al., scientific journal Nucleosides, nucleotides & nucleic acids, scientific journal Taylor & Francis, 2004.

‘Up-regulation and activation of the P2Y(2) nucleotide receptor mediate neurite extension in IL-1β-treated mouse primary cortical neurons’ – T. S. Peterson et al., Journal of Neurochemistry, Wiley, 2013.

‘Uridine supplementation exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects in an animal model of pulmonary fibrosis’ – S. Cicko et al., scientific journal Respiratory Research, BMC, 2015.