What Are Dietary RNAs and Why Are They Important for Our Well-Being?
In recent years, a new generation of scientific research has begun to redefine our relationship with food: dietary RNAs could be the key to optimizing the functioning of the human body. These small molecules, present in fresh foods, not only survive the digestive process but also carry information capable of revolutionizing areas such as sleep, skincare, and mental health. In this article, we explore the origin of dietary RNAs, their functions, and how at Kresko we work to bring their potential to those who need it most.
From Supporting Role to Leading Actor: RNA Redefines Cellular Biology
Science has studied RNA—molecules similar to DNA—for more than a century to understand how they contribute to the functioning of cells, that is, the foundation of life and its reproduction. However, for a long time, the focus was on DNA.
RNA began to stop being a "supporting actor" in DNA’s story in 1993, when American scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun demonstrated that all our cells contain small RNA molecules responsible for regulating genes and development. For these discoveries, they won the Nobel Prize in 2024.
Since Ambros and Ruvkun’s work, the study of RNA biology has experienced an unprecedented boom, transforming our understanding of what gene regulation means. These small non-coding RNAs allow for fine-tuned cellular functions previously unsuspected, and in recent decades, a wide variety of these regulatory RNAs have been discovered, such as miRNAs, lncRNAs, tiRNAs, and yRNAs, among others.
As science advances, one thing is clear: RNAs are not only key intermediaries in protein synthesis—essential for the development and survival of living beings—but also participate in fundamental processes like the immune response, epigenetics—mechanisms that activate or deactivate genes without changing the genetic code—and cellular metabolism.
This field has been propelled by key technological advances such as massive sequencing (RNA-seq) and advanced cell biology techniques, which have made it possible to precisely characterize these molecules. Thus, RNA biology has become a central axis in current biomedical research due to its potential impact on how we can face 21st-century well-being challenges.
This meme sums up part of the history of RNA.
In recent years, a new generation of scientific research has begun to redefine our relationship with food: dietary RNAs could be the key to optimizing the functioning of the human body. These small molecules, present in fresh foods, not only survive the digestive process but also carry information capable of revolutionizing areas such as sleep, skincare, and mental health. In this article, we explore the origin of dietary RNAs, their functions, and how at Kresko we work to bring their potential to those who need it most.
From Supporting Role to Leading Actor: RNA Redefines Cellular Biology
Science has studied RNA—molecules similar to DNA—for more than a century to understand how they contribute to the functioning of cells, that is, the foundation of life and its reproduction. However, for a long time, the focus was on DNA.
RNA began to stop being a "supporting actor" in DNA’s story in 1993, when American scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun demonstrated that all our cells contain small RNA molecules responsible for regulating genes and development. For these discoveries, they won the Nobel Prize in 2024.
Since Ambros and Ruvkun’s work, the study of RNA biology has experienced an unprecedented boom, transforming our understanding of what gene regulation means. These small non-coding RNAs allow for fine-tuned cellular functions previously unsuspected, and in recent decades, a wide variety of these regulatory RNAs have been discovered, such as miRNAs, lncRNAs, tiRNAs, and yRNAs, among others.
As science advances, one thing is clear: RNAs are not only key intermediaries in protein synthesis—essential for the development and survival of living beings—but also participate in fundamental processes like the immune response, epigenetics—mechanisms that activate or deactivate genes without changing the genetic code—and cellular metabolism.
This field has been propelled by key technological advances such as massive sequencing (RNA-seq) and advanced cell biology techniques, which have made it possible to precisely characterize these molecules. Thus, RNA biology has become a central axis in current biomedical research due to its potential impact on how we can face 21st-century well-being challenges.
These bioactive RNAs are capable of interacting with the cells of the digestive system, delivering cellular reprogramming signals that promote the optimal functioning of the organism. This method, simple, effective, and 100% food-grade, allows us to create completely natural and stable ingredients that can be easily integrated into mass consumer products such as food, cosmetics, or supplements.
Today, just three years after starting our research into dietary RNAs derived from breast milk, we already have three developed ingredients validated in volunteers: one to improve sleep, another with high healing potential, and one for skincare. And this is just the beginning!
RNA to Thrive in Modern Life
We chose the name “Kresko,” which means “I grow” or “I develop” in the universal language Esperanto, because it reflects our mission: to help people reach their full potential.
We want to reach those whose bodies suffer the effects of modern alienation and share the hidden story of how RNA plays a crucial role in our ability to adapt and thrive in the most challenging contexts: the key to a better tomorrow lies within us.
Exogenous plant MIR168a specifically targets mammalian LDLRAP1: evidence of cross-kingdom regulation by microRNA. Zhang L, Hou D, Chen X, Li D, Zhu L, Zhang Y, Li J, Bian Z, Liang X, Cai X, Yin Y, Wang C, Zhang T, Zhu D, Zhang D, Xu J, Chen Q, Ba Y, Liu J, Wang Q, Chen J, Wang J, Wang M, Zhang Q, Zhang J, Zen K, Zhang CY. Cell Res. 2012 Jan;22(1):107-26. doi: 10.1038/cr.2011.158. Epub 2011 Sep 20. PMID: 21931358 Free PMC article.
McNeill EM, Hirschi KD. Roles of Regulatory RNAs in Nutritional Control. Annu Rev Nutr. 2020 Sep 23;40:77-104. doi: 10.1146/annurev-nutr-122319-035633. PMID: 32966184.
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