Abstract: The invention provides methods for reducing absorption of carbohydrates in a companion animal, comprising identifying the companion animal having a health condition or at risk for the health condition associated with high carbohydrate ingestion and feeding a dietary formulation in a therapeutically effective amount to the companion animal. Such dietary formulations can be any of those as described herein. Generally, the dietary formulation can comprise 20% to 60% protein, 10% to 40% fat, 10% to 50% carbohydrates, and 0.01% to 5% alpha-amylase inhibitor. Typically, the therapeutically effective amount can be effective for reducing absorption of carbohydrates in the companion animal as measured by lowering the postprandial blood glucose of the animal as compared to the postprandial blood glucose of the companion animal ingesting a comparable dietary formulation that excludes the alpha-amylase inhibitor.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for the treatment of cancer, reduction of cancer risk, or prevention of cancer in a companion animal, comprising: identifying the companion animal having cancer or at risk for cancer and feeding a dietary formulation in a therapeutically effective amount to the animal. The dietary formulation can comprise 20% to 60% protein; 10% to 40% fat; 10% to 50% carbohydrates; and 0.01% to 5% alpha-amylase inhibitor, and optionally 1% to 50% resistant starch. The therapeutically effective amount can be effective for the treatment of cancer, the prevention of cancer, or the reduction of cancer risk in the companion animal by lowering the postprandial blood glucose of the companion animal as compared to the postprandial blood glucose of the companion animal ingesting a comparable dietary formulation that excludes the alpha-amylase inhibitor.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for promoting weight loss by an animal, promoting weight loss by an animal while preventing or minimizing loss of lean body mass by the animal, preventing a reduction in energy metabolism by an animal, reducing the risk of regaining weight by an animal after weight loss, and ameliorating undesirable animal behaviors associated with reduced caloric intake by intermittently feeding an animal a first diet containing calories that meet the animal's maintenance energy requirements and a second diet containing calories that do not meet the animal's maintenance energy requirements. In preferred embodiments, the described feeding pattern and diets are fed in conjunction with one or more weight loss agents.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for promoting weight loss by an animal, promoting weight loss by an animal while preventing or minimizing loss of lean body mass by the animal, preventing a reduction in energy metabolism by an animal, reducing the risk of regaining weight by an animal after weight loss, and ameliorating undesirable animal behaviors associated with reduced caloric intake by intermittently feeding an animal a first diet containing calories that meet the animal's maintenance energy requirements and a second diet containing calories that do not meet the animal's maintenance energy requirements. In preferred embodiments, the described feeding pattern and diets are fed in conjunction with one or more weight loss agents.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for promoting weight loss by an animal, promoting weight loss by an animal while preventing or minimizing loss of lean body mass by the animal, preventing a reduction in energy metabolism by an animal, reducing the risk of regaining weight by an animal after weight loss, and ameliorating undesirable animal behaviors associated with reduced caloric intake by intermittently feeding an animal a first diet containing calories that meet the animal's maintenance energy requirements and a second diet containing calories that do not meet the animal's maintenance energy requirements. In preferred embodiments, the described feeding pattern and diets are fed in conjunction with one or more weight loss agents.

Abstract: Compositions useful for weight management in an animal are disclosed. The compositions comprise one or more isoflavones or isoflavone metabolites, and in some embodiments include conjugated linoleic acid, and/or L-carnitine. Also disclosed are methods useful for weight management in an animal utilizing compositions comprising one or more isoflavones, conjugated linoleic acid, and/or L-carnitine. Preferably, the compositions and methods employ a combination of one or more isoflavones, or a combination of one or more isoflavones in conjunction with conjugated linoleic acid, and L-carnitine.

Abstract: Gene expression profiles associated with improved or maintained lean body mass or reduced body fat are disclosed. The gene expression profiles were determined in adipose, liver, and muscle tissue of animals subjected to lean-promoting regimens such as consumption of a high protein diet, ingestion of conjugated linolenic acid, and/or increased exercise.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for one or more of enhancing energy metabolism, promoting healthy energy metabolism, maintaining healthy energy metabolism, preventing conditions that result in a decline or deficiency in energy metabolism, treating conditions that result in a decline or deficiency in energy metabolism, and preventing the accumulation of excess body fat in animals without reducing energy intake by the 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 for using fatty acid alkanolamides for ameliorating one or more symptoms or conditions caused by stress, e.g., loss of appetite, or for maintaining and enhancing nutrient and caloric intake by an animal under stress or that has experienced stress. Generally, the fatty acid alkanolamides in amounts of from about 0.1 to about 1500 mg/kg/day before, during or after stress, preferably on a regular or daily basis as a component of a food composition or as a dietary supplement.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for promoting lean body mass growth in an animal. The methods comprise administering OEA to the animals, preferably in amounts of from about 0.01 to about 1000 mg/kg/day.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for preserving lean body mass during weight loss in an animal. The methods comprise administering OEA to the animals, preferably in amounts of from about 0.01 to about 1000 mg/kg/day.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for determining if an animal's metabolism has been shifted to ketogenic status by collecting a first urine sample from the animal when the animal's metabolism is not in a ketogenic status; collecting a second urine sample from the animal when the animal's metabolism is possibly in a ketogenic status; analyzing the first urine sample and the second urine sample for beta-hydroxy butyrate; and determining that the animal's metabolism has been shifted to ketogenic status if the concentration of beta-hydroxy butyrate in the second urine sample exceeds the concentration of beta-hydroxy butyrate in the first urine sample by ten percent (10%) or more.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for promoting weight loss by an animal, promoting weight loss by an animal while preventing or minimizing loss of lean body mass by the animal preventing a reduction in energy metabolism by an animal reducing the risk of regaining weight by an animal after weight loss, and ameliorating undesirable animal behaviors associated with reduced caloric intake by intermittently feeding an animal a first diet containing calories that meet the animal's maintenance energy requirements and a second diet containing calories that do not meet the animal's maintenance energy requirements. In preferred embodiments, the described feeding pattern and diets are ted in conjunction with one or more weight loss agents.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions suitable for preventing and treating hyperleptinemia, preventing and treating insulin resistance, preventing and treating cardiovascular disease, preventing and treating obesity, preventing and treating hyperlipidemia, and preventing and treating hypertension in an animal. The methods comprise administering one or more isoflavones to the animal, preferably in amounts of from about 0.001 to about 10 g/kg/day.

Abstract: The invention provides methods useful for regulating sirtuin gene expression, mimicking caloric restriction, preventing and treating Alzheimer's disease, increasing longevity and retarding aging in an animal. The methods comprise administering one or more isoflavones to the animals, preferably in amounts of from about 0.001 to about 10 g/kg/day.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating, reducing, or preventing damage to at least one component of the nervous 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 damage to at least one component of the nervous 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, and optionally, antioxidant(s) and/or B vitamins are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, compositions, and dietary formulations useful for managing blood glucose, preventing or treating insulin resistance, and improving insulin sensitivity. 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.

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: Compositions useful for inducing bone growth or inhibiting bone loss in an animal comprising one or more isoflavones or isoflavone metabolites and methods for inducing bone growth or inhibiting bone loss in an animal utilizing such compositions. The compositions and methods are particularly useful for post-menopause, post-andropause, gonadectomized, spayed, or neutered animals.

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.