Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for treatment of epilepsy in an animal. In one embodiment, a method for treating epilepsy in a companion animal can comprise administering to the companion animal a food composition comprising a medium chain triglyceride (MCT), wherein the MCT is present in the food composition in an effective amount for reducing or preventing seizures when the food composition is administered to the companion animal.

Abstract: A method of increasing ketone bodies in an animal can comprise orally administering a composition to the animal, where the composition comprises medium-chain triglycerides in an amount of about 1% to about 15%, protein in amount of about 30% to 70%, fat in an amount of about 20% to about 40%, and carbohydrates in an amount of about 10% to about 25%. The composition can have a protein to carbohydrate ratio of at least about 2:1.

Abstract: A method of minimizing fat accumulation in a growing animal without limiting caloric intake or preventing or treating obesity in an animal, the method comprising orally administering a ketogenic diet and a nutrient blend to the animal. The nutrient blend can include at least four nutrients selected from the group consisting of walnut, maitake mushroom extract, EGCG, turmeric root powder, lycopene, taurine, EPA, and DHA to the animal.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for providing a health benefit to an animal using a nutrient blend. In one embodiment, the method can comprise orally administering a composition comprising at least four of the nutrients selected from the group of walnut, maitake mushroom extract, EGCG, turmeric root powder, lycopene, taurine, EPA, and DHA to the animal.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for mimicking chronic caloric restriction to impart a health benefit in an animal or for using an intermittent partially restricted diet to impart a health benefit to an animal. Such methods can include feeding an animal two different diets having differing caloric contents in a specific ratio to achieve such benefits.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for mimicking chronic caloric restriction to impart a health benefit in an animal or for using an intermittent partially restricted diet to impart a health benefit to an animal. Such methods can include feeding an animal two different diets having differing caloric contents in a specific ratio to achieve such benefits.

Abstract: Compositions include arginine and one or more unsaturated fatty acids. Methods for using such compositions can enhance cognitive function, reduce or prevent a decline of social interaction, reduce or prevent age-related behavioral changes, increase trainability, maintain optimal brain function, facilitate learning and memory, reduce memory loss, retard brain aging, prevent or treat strokes, and/or prevent or treat dementia in an animal. Preferably, the compositions are food compositions useful for enhancing cognitive function in humans and companion animals.

Abstract: Compositions include one or more unsaturated fatty acids and one or more nitric oxide releasing compounds. Methods for using such compositions can enhance cognitive function, reduce or prevent a decline of social interaction, reduce or prevent age-related behavioral changes, increase trainability, maintain optimal brain function, facilitate learning and memory, reduce memory loss, retard brain aging, prevent or treat strokes, and/or prevent or treat dementia in an animal. Preferably, the compositions are food compositions useful for enhancing cognitive function in humans and companion animals.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for treatment of epilepsy in an animal. In one embodiment, a method for treating epilepsy in a companion animal can comprise administering to the companion animal a food composition comprising a medium chain triglyceride (MCT), wherein the MCT is present in the food composition in an effective amount for reducing or preventing seizures when the food composition is administered to the companion animal.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for treatment of epilepsy in an animal. In one embodiment, a dietary regime suitable for enhancing the effect of an anti-epileptic drug (AED) in an animal can comprise a food composition comprising a medium chain triglyceride (MCT) and the AED, wherein the MCT is present in the food composition in an effective amount for enhancing the effect of the AED when the food composition and the AED are administered to the animal.

Abstract: Compositions include one or more unsaturated fatty acids and one or more nitric oxide releasing compounds. Methods for using such compositions can enhance cognitive function, reduce or prevent a decline of social interaction, reduce or prevent age-related behavioral changes, increase trainability, maintain optimal brain function, facilitate learning and memory, reduce memory loss, retard brain aging, prevent or treat strokes, and/or prevent or treat dementia in an animal. Preferably, the compositions are food compositions useful for enhancing cognitive function in humans and companion animals.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for enhancing neurogenesis in an animal. In one embodiment, a method for enhancing neurogenesis in an animal can comprise identifying an animal that is suffering from cognitive decline, that is at risk of becoming cognitively impaired, that is diagnosed with a disease, disorder, or other condition that affects its cognitive abilities, or that is at risk of contracting a disease, disorder, or other condition that affects its cognitive abilities, and administering a composition comprising an unsaturated fatty acid (UFA), a nitric oxide releasing compound (NORC), a B vitamin, and an antioxidant, to the animal, wherein the composition is administered in an amount effective for enhancing neurogenesis in the animal.

Abstract: Edible compositions useful for weight management in male animals are disclosed. The compositions comprise one or more isoflavones or isoflavone metabolites and are particularly useful for reducing or preventing the accumulation of body fat. Also disclosed are methods useful for weight management in an animal utilizing compositions comprising one or more isoflavones. The compositions and methods are particularly useful for the reduction or prevention of body fat accumulation during periods of excess caloric intake, and preferably have a sparing effect on lean body mass.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for promoting lean body mass, minimizing body fat gain, and managing weight in an animal. The methods for promoting lean body mass, minimizing body fat gain, and maintaining weight without limiting caloric intake comprise administering to the animal a food composition in an amount more than the animal's baseline maintenance energy requirement (MER). The food composition can comprise from about 30% to about 65% protein, from about 10% to about 20% carbohydrate, and from about 10% to about 25% fat. The protein and carbohydrate can be in a ratio effective for promoting lean body mass, minimizing body fat gain, and maintaining weight during administration of the food composition to the animal.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for treatment of epilepsy in an animal. In one embodiment, a dietary regime suitable for enhancing the effect of an anti-epileptic drug (AED) in an animal can comprise a food composition comprising a medium chain triglyceride (MCT) and the AED, wherein the MCT is present in the food composition in an effective amount for enhancing the effect of the AED when the food composition and the AED are administered to the animal.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for preserving lean body mass and promoting fat loss during weight loss. The methods comprise identifying an animal that is obese or overweight and administering to the animal a food composition in an amount less than the animal's baseline maintenance energy requirement (MER), the food composition comprising from about 30% to about 65% protein, from about 10% to about 20% carbohydrate, and from about 10% to about 25% fat; where the protein and carbohydrate are in a ratio effective for preserving lean body mass and promoting fat loss during administration of the food composition to the animal.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating, reducing, or preventing deterioration of at least one component of the visual system of an animal are disclosed. The methods comprise administering to the animal a composition comprising UFA and NORC in an amount effective to treat, reduce, or prevent deterioration of at least one component of the visual system. Methods extending the prime years of an animal's life, improving the quality of life, and promoting health and wellness of an animal using compositions comprising UFA and NORC are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for increasing mobility or activity in an animal or treating or preventing frailty in an animal, comprising identifying an animal with decreased mobility or activity or having frailty and administering a composition comprising one or more medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) to the animal in a therapeutically amount effective for increasing mobility or activity in the animal or treating frailty in the animal. Additionally, a food composition can comprise about 15% to about 50% protein, about 5% to about 40% fat, about 5% to about 50% carbohydrate, and about 1% to about 40% of one or more medium chain triglycerides (MCTs); wherein the composition has a moisture content of about 5% to about 20% and the MCTs are present in a therapeutically amount effective for increasing mobility or activity in the animal or treating frailty in the animal.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for one or more of preventing or treating sarcopenia and muscle atrophy in animals. The methods comprise administering isoflavones to the animals, preferably in amounts of from about 0.001 to about 10 g/kg/day.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, compositions, and dietary formulations useful for preventing or treating dermatitis, promoting healthy skin, and retarding skin aging. The methods comprise administering to an animal a therapeutically effective amount of a combination of at least two of one or more antioxidants; one or more anti-glycation agents; one or more body fat reducing agents; one or more insulin sensitivity enhancing agents; and one or more anti-inflammatory agents.