an improved enteral formula containing ribo - nucleotide equivalents at a level of at least 10 mg / 100 kcal 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 ribo - nucleotide equivalents at specific levels and ratios . this invention also provides a dietary formula that enhances the immune system and alleviates diarrhea .