Adenine was originally described as vitamin B4, but is now not considered to be a vitamin. It is made by cells from amino acids and does not have to be obtained as a nutrient. Indeed, while it can be obtained from food and drink, high intake can cause severe problems, including chronic kidney disease (see Box 1).
Foods high in adenine, such as meat, fish, beer and legumes, can trigger or worsen kidney disease. The disease can also be caused by diabetes, hypertension and obesity. It is most prevalent in people who are older, black or of South Asian origin, and there are currently no treatments to combat it. Current estimates are that one in ten of the human population has CKD, and it can be fatal, so it is a very significant health issue.
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