Orotates are mineral salts of orotic acid, an endogenous amino acid produced during the metabolism of the nucleic acids DNA and RNA. Orotic acid is also present in small amounts in certain foods, such as whey, yogurt, carrots and Jerusalem artichokes. According to Dr Hans Nieper, orotic acid is a component of a natural system of electrolyte carriers, the role of which is to distribute minerals within the body. Orotic acid significantly increases their bio-availability.