What is Uridine Monophosphate?

Uridine monophosphate (UMP), also referred to as 5’-uridylic acid and uridine 5 monophosphate, is a nucleotide base that acts as a monomer in RNA. It is a chemical compound derived from phosphoric acid and the nucleoside uridine and is used in the body to increase the synthesis of cellular membranes. When consumed as a supplement, uridine monophosphate offers numerous potential benefits to your physical and cognitive health.*

Uridine is one of the four main building blocks of RNA aside from adenosine, cytidine, and guanine. Adults create Uridine in their livers in the form of Uridine monophosphate, which is secreted into the blood. High levels of uridine can be found in beer as well as breast milk, various plants, and certain infant formulas. Uridine can also be found in the form of Uridine triphosphate. There are several Uridine monophosphate uses, and the body uses Uridine in various processes, including signaling the creation of neurotransmitter synapses and promoting the repair of DNA and growth of cells.

Uridine Monophosphate Benefits and Uses

May help promote cognitive function
May help support healthy sleep patterns
May help promote working memory
May help support neurotransmission

Understanding Uridine Monophosphate

Uridine is believed to benefit synaptic functions by elevating phosphatidylcholine in the brain. Phosphatidylcholine is an important component of dendritic membranes. Uridine also plays a role as a substrate in phosphatidylcholine (PC) synthesis through the CDP-choline pathway, also known as the Kennedy cycle. Phosphatidylethanolamine is also synthesized via this pathway. This is significant since phosphatidylethanolamine is a phospholipid that contributes to building brain cell membranes and plays a huge role in neurotransmission.

In the Kennedy cycle, choline kinase catalyzes choline into phosphocholine consuming an ATP molecule during the process. This allows for more cellular choline to be converted into phosphocholine. Research on rodents found that rodents seemed to display improved cognitive function when consuming a diet containing a combination of uridine monophosphate, choline and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Other studies found a positive impact on cognition when subjects were taking a uridine dha stack, meaning taking a uridine supplement and a dha supplement together. Phosphatidylcholine is a phospholipid critical to synaptic function as well as beneficial to overall cellular health. Producing phosphatidylcholine requires CDP-choline, which requires uridine and cytidine. Conveniently, uridine can be converted into cytidine in the body.

Uridine Monophosphate Research

Uridine monophosphate presents a variety of potential benefits to the body and mind. Clinical trials on Uridine monophosphate discovered that Uridine monophosphate may promote improved memory and learning capabilities through the production of acetylcholine. Some research even suggests that Uridine monophosphate may promote the creation of new neural synapses. A larger number of neural synapses may potentially lead to greater mental capacity. Other Uridine monophosphate studies found that Uridine monophosphate has an effect on motivation, attention span, and a sense of well being.

Studies have shown that Uridine supplements may promote improved learning and memory abilities by increasing the production of acetylcholine, a prominent neurotransmitter. Uridine benefits may also include an increase in the formation of new neural synapses, which may point to greater mental capacity. Studies also suggest that Uridine monophosphate may improve spatial learning and attention span. Research believes that this may be a result of the compound’s effect on certain neurotransmitters, particularly neurotransmitters associated with mood, motivation, and attention span. Uridine benefits may also provide sleep support. Studies found that Uridine increased slow-wave, or deep, sleep in rats who had been sleep deprived. Preliminary studies show that slow-wave sleep is necessary to help the brain recover from its daily activities. Uridine monophosphate may also provide neuroprotection and improve the phospholipid content in your cell membranes.