Abstract: An improved enteral formula containing ribo-nucleotide equivalents (RNA, mono-, di- and triphosphate nucleotides, nucleosides and adducts such as activated sugars) at a level of at least 10 mg/100 Kcal (kilocalorie) of formula. More specifically, an infant formula containing at least 10 milligrams of nucleotide equivalents per 100 Kcal of formula where the nucleotide equivalents consist of RNA; mono-, di-, and triphosphate esters of adenosine, cytidine, guanosine, and uridine, and the d-ribose adducts thereof; and wherein the weight ratio of said cytidine nucleotide equivalents to said uridine nucleotide equivalents is 1.5:1 to 2.6:1; of said cytidine nucleotide equivalent to said adenosine nucleotide equivalents is 2:1 to 3.9:1; and of said cytidine nucleotide equivalents to said guanosine nucleotide equivalents is 1.75:1 to 2.8:1, is disclosed. The formula comprises carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins and minerals and four (4) ribo-nucleotide equivalents at specific levels and ratios.