Abstract: The present invention is based in part upon the discovery that the use of pyruvate in enteral formulations, in combination with anaerobic exercise produces a synergistic effect in increasing the amount of lean body mass or muscle tissue in a mammal. The present invention relates generally to a composition for enhancing the protein concentration or muscle mass of a mammal and a method for enhancing the protein concentration or muscle mass in a mammal. More specifically, the present invention relates to the consumption of a composition which comprises calcium pyruvate and potassium pyruvate and derivatives of pyruvate such as pyruvyl-creatine and anaerobic exercise to enhance muscle mass. The method of the present invention comprises administering to a mammal in need of enhancing its protein concentration or muscle mass, a composition comprising pyruvate and the subjecting of a mammal to anaerobic exercise.

Abstract: Compositions derived from Chinese herbal medicines, medicinal plants and extracts thereof, are provided for the treatment of animals infected with viruses, especially with hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). More specifically, the compositions of the present invention are derived from various Chinese herbal medicines or medicinal plants which have a long history of human consumption. The compositions of the invention are obtained through specific techniques and have demonstrated outstanding efficacy for treating human HBV carriers and hepatitis C patients. Compositions according to the invention have also exhibited in vitro antiviral activities against murine leukemia virus (MuLV) and HIV. HIV is the virus known to cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in humans and AIDS presents special problems to the medical community which the present invention addresses.

Abstract: The present invention is based, in part, upon the discovery that the use of pyruvate in combination with a cortisol blocker, such as phosphatidylserine, produces a synergistic effect in increasing lean body mass or muscle tissue, decreasing fat deposition, increasing endurance and athletic performance of a mammal consuming same. The invention also relates to a method of treating the catabolic effects of diseases such as cancer and AIDS by the administration of pyruvate and a cortisol blocker.The present invention also discloses a synergistic composition comprising pyruvate and a cortisol blocker. More specifically, the present invention relates to a composition which comprises pyruvate and/or derivatives of pyruvate and phosphatidylserine.