Abstract: Disclosed herein is a formulation that can take the form of an emulsion which contains total enteral or parenteral nutrition for a recipient subject. The formulation includes as the sole fat components: (i) medium chain triglycerides; and (ii) very long chain fatty acids selected from (a) very long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids; and (b) docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid in a ratio of about 10:1 (v/v or w/w) to about 2000:1 (v/v or w/w). The sole fat components provide about 10% to about 90% total calories of the formulation, and the medium chain triglycerides provide about 25%-95% total fat calories of the formulation. Methods and kits for utilizing the formulation and for treating various disorders and diseases that involve an inflammatory response are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a formulation that can take the form of an emulsion which contains total enteral or parenteral nutrition for a recipient subject. The formulation includes as the sole fat components: (i) medium chain triglycerides; and (ii) very long chain fatty acids selected from (a) very long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids; and (b) docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid in a ratio of about 10:1 (v/v or w/w) to about 2000:1 (v/v or w/w). The sole fat components provide about 10% to about 90% total calories of the formulation, and the medium chain triglycerides provide about 25%-95% total fat calories of the formulation. Methods and kits for utilizing the formulation and for treating various disorders and diseases that involve an inflammatory response are also disclosed.

Abstract: Described herein are food formulations and methods, which promote sleep.

Abstract: Described herein are food formulations and methods, which promote sleep.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the stability of dispersions and emulsions accelerates the onset of significant particle agglomeration in a sample by stressing the sample by reducing the height of the interparticle potential energy barrier between the particles. This is achieved by adding one or more of three stress factors: changing the pH of the sample to reduce the surface charge on the particles; adding an adsorbing electrolyte so that ions of the appropriate charge are adsorbed onto the surfaces of the particles to reduce the net charge on the particles; and applying a monovalent, divalent, or trivalent salt to partially screen electrostatic repulsions between the charged particles. In a preferred embodiment, the increase in agglomeration is detected with single particle detection, such as SPOS, to generate a PSD from which a figure of merit is derived. Another embodiment detects turbidity or light scattering to generate a value X indicative of the extent of agglomeration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the stability of dispersions and emulsions accelerates the onset of significant particle agglomeration in a sample by stressing the sample by reducing the height of the interparticle potential energy barrier between the particles. This is achieved by adding one or more of three stress factors: changing the pH of the sample to reduce the surface charge on the particles; adding an adsorbing electrolyte so that ions of the appropriate charge are adsorbed onto the surfaces of the particles to reduce the net charge on the particles; and applying a monovalent, divalent, or trivalent salt to partially screen electrostatic repulsions between the charged particles. In a preferred embodiment, the increase in agglomeration is detected with single particle detection, such as SPOS, to generate a PSD from which a figure of merit is derived. Another embodiment detects turbidity or light scattering to generate a value X indicative of the extent of agglomeration.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods for nutritional management of hepatic (liver) failure. In particular the invention is directed to a nutritionally complete formulation suitable for use as a supplement or total enteral feeding. The composition is specifically tailored to meet the requirements of hepatic patients in need of nutritional support. The composition comprises an organoleptically acceptable protein system designed to meet the altered metabolic needs of patients suffering from hepatic failure. The invention also relates to administering a nutritional composition comprising effective amounts of the branched-chain amino acids, valine, leucine, isoleucine, or mixtures thereof, and with or without a reduced amount of tyrosine, phenylalanine and tryptophan.

Abstract: Described herein is a nutritional supplement which provides fats, proteins and carbohydrates of compositions and proportions so as to have the effects of reducing the symptoms of stress and improving performance by causing a reduction in the level of PGE2. Of particular importance is a balance of carbohydrate, proteins and fats derived from different structural families.

Abstract: Yeast-derived fiber has been demonstrated, as described herein, to effectively improve the serum lipid profile in humans, when provided as a dietary supplement, without some of the disadvantages known to accompany dietary supplementation with oat fiber or psyllium fiber. Described herein are dietary supplements comprising yeast fiber, e.g., &bgr;-glucan or glucomannan, and further comprising folic acid or a salt thereof, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and vitamin E. The dietary supplements of the invention can further comprise fats, carbohydrates and proteins, for example, and other ingredients added to formulate a food product. Such food products can be in the form, for example, of solid or semi-solid foods, such as food bars, pudding, or spreads. By including folate and vitamin B6, the dietary supplement provides a second benefit of suppressing the level of homocysteine in the blood.

Abstract: A novel diabetic supplement bar which includes about 10-60% by weight simple carbohydrate, about 1-25% by weight protein, about 2-40% by weight lipid and about 1-60%, preferably about 5-35% by weight complex carbohydrate. This formulation is particularly useful for the treatment or prevention of nighttime hypoglycemia in diabetic patients who require insulin injections.

Abstract: Compositions useful in the treatment of dietary disorders, and as dietary additives to provide a source of fiber and of short chain fatty acids, to reduce the level of serum cholesterol, increase HDL cholesterol levels and as bulking agents in humans and animals, as well as methods of use therefor are described. The compositions and methods are based on whole .beta.-glucans.

Abstract: A method for reducing the number lipid droplets having a diameter exceeding a preselected threshold in a nutritional emulsion has been developed. The method has the steps of passing the nutritional emulsion, under pressure, through a filter having a pore size smaller than the threshold. A filter having a mean pore size of about 1.2 .mu.m with a standard deviation of about 0.5 is sufficient to exclude lipid droplets having a diameter in excess of five .mu.m.

Abstract: Compositions useful in the treatment of dietary disorders, and as dietary additives to provide a source of fiber and of short chain fatty acids, to reduce the level of serum cholesterol and as bulking agents in humans and animals, as well as methods of use therefor are described. The compositions and methods are based on whole .beta.-glucans.

Abstract: A novel formulation which contains about 2-60% by calories of a C.sub.20 or longer .omega.3 fatty acid moiety and about 2-60% by calories of an arachidonic acid moiety has been developed. This formulation is particularly useful for restoring arachidonic acid levels, increasing immunity or minimizing risk of infection in critically ill patients, and treating functional essential fatty acid deficiency in patients suffering from end stage liver disease. A structured lipid which has a C.sub.20 or longer .omega.3 fatty acid moiety and an arachidonic acid moiety has also been developed.

Abstract: A nutritional supplement is described comprising approximately from about 10 to about 75 grams carbohydrate; approximately from about 5 to about 50 grams protein; approximately from about 3 to about 30 grams fat; and therapeutic amount of antioxidant, for use in weight maintenance in individuals who will undergo major surgery to prevent or reduce postoperative complications.

Abstract: A nutritional supplement comprising approximately from about 5 to about 25 grams carbohydrate; approximately from about 1 to about 25 grams protein; and approximately from about 1 to about 10 grams fat, for use in treating low appetite that may result in weight loss, is described.

Abstract: A novel diabetic supplement bar which includes about 10-60% by weight simple carbohydrate, about 1-25% by weight protein, about 2-40% by weight lipid and about 1-60%, preferably about 5-35% by weight complex carbohydrate. This formulation is particularly useful for the treatment or prevention of nighttime hypoglycemia in diabetic patients who require insulin injections.

Abstract: A test for determining hepatic function has been developed. This test uses oral administration of isotope labeled phenylalanine or tyrosine, particularly .sup.13 C-phenylalanine, in a rapid breath test. In the preferred mode, the breath sample is analyzed using a mass spectrometer and compared with a standard. The breath test provides a dynamic rather than static determination of hepatic function and can be used for both early and late stage liver problems.

Abstract: A method of treating patients with clinical disorder involving splanchnic disorders such as liver or gut dysfunction, the dysfunction being characterized by depletion of metabolic energy sources. The treatment involves the step of administering an effective amount of adenosine, or related nucleosides, to achieve and/or maintain normal metabolic levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and/or its precursors in the patient's liver or other splanchnic organs. Administration may be as a total enteral nutritional diet, or as a dietary supplement. The invention includes a total enteral nutrition diet having nutritionally acceptable amounts of a lipid source, a protein source, a carbohydrate source, a vitamin source, and a mineral source, and an effective amount of adenosine to achieve normal metabolic levels of ATP and/or its precursors in ATP deficient organs of a recipient host.

Abstract: A new class of synthetic triglycerides, those having at least one short-chain (C.sub.2 -C.sub.5) fatty acid on a glycerol backbone, has been developed. These synthetic triglycerides (or structured lipids) are particularly useful in treating patients with intestinal problems.