Abstract: Methods of decreasing muscle function decline and improving muscle function in a subject are provided. The methods utilize an effective amount of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCg) to increase the level of muscle vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF), to decrease myostatin levels, or both, and thereby decrease muscle function decline or improve muscle function. The EGCg may be provided as part of a nutritional composition.

Abstract: Insulin resistance biomarkers and related methods of using the biomarkers are provided. The biomarkers may be blood biomarkers and include C-peptide, Insulin-Like Growth Factor-Binding Protein 2 (IGFBP-2), and Leptin. Also provided is a method of reducing the effect of prolonged physical inactivity on insulin resistance in a subject who is experiencing prolonged physical inactivity, or who is expected to experience prolonged physical inactivity in the near future.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for enhancing the efficacy of epigallocatechin gallate (“EGCg”) in mitigating skeletal muscle loss in a subject. Providing EGCg to a subject in a nutritional composition reduces muscle protein degradation, thereby mitigating skeletal muscle loss in the subject. The combination of EGCg with zinc in a nutritional composition enhances the mitigating effect that EGCg has on muscle loss. Specifically, when used in combination, a nutritional composition containing both EGCg and zinc requires less EGCg to obtain the same mitigating effect that occurs in the same nutritional composition containing EGCg but no zinc.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for enhancing the efficacy of epigallocatechin gallate (“EGCg”) in mitigating skeletal muscle loss in a subject. Providing EGCg to a subject in a nutritional composition reduces muscle protein degradation, thereby mitigating skeletal muscle loss in the subject. The combination of EGCg with zinc in a nutritional composition enhances the mitigating effect that EGCg has on muscle loss. Specifically, when used in combination, a nutritional composition containing both EGCg and zinc requires less EGCg to obtain the same mitigating effect that occurs in the same nutritional composition containing EGCg but no zinc.

Abstract: Methods of increasing skeletal muscle protein synthesis in a subject are provided. Methods of increasing or maintaining mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activation are also provided. Such methods include a step of administering at least one serving per day of a composition including 20 to 2,000 mg of a green tea extract per serving to the subject.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for enhancing the regenerative capacity of an individual are provided. The compositions include, and the methods provide, a combination of an effective amount of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCg) and an effective amount of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) to decrease the level of intramuscular FGF2, to enhance the regenerative capacity of muscle, or both.

Abstract: Methods of decreasing muscle function decline and improving muscle function in a subject are provided. The methods utilize an effective amount of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCg) to increase the level of muscle vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF), to decrease myostatin levels, or both, and thereby decrease muscle function decline or improve muscle function. The EGCg may be provided as part of a nutritional composition.

Abstract: Insulin resistance biomarkers and related methods of using the biomarkers are provided. The biomarkers may be blood biomarkers and include C-peptide, Insulin-Like Growth Factor-Binding Protein 2 (IGFBP-2), and Leptin. Also provided is a method of reducing the effect of prolonged physical inactivity on insulin resistance in a subject who is experiencing prolonged physical inactivity, or who is expected to experience prolonged physical inactivity in the near future.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for enhancing the efficacy of epigallocatechin gallate (“EGCg”) in mitigating skeletal muscle loss in a subject. Providing EGCg to a subject in a nutritional composition reduces muscle protein degradation, thereby mitigating skeletal muscle loss in the subject. The combination of EGCg with zinc in a nutritional composition enhances the mitigating effect that EGCg has on muscle loss. Specifically, when used in combination, a nutritional composition containing both EGCg and zinc requires less EGCg to obtain the same mitigating effect that occurs in the same nutritional composition containing EGCg but no zinc.

Abstract: Methods and systems for using fibrosis biomarkers associated with a prolonged period of physical inactivity are provided. Also provided is a method of reducing the effect of prolonged physical inactivity on the development of fibrosis in a subject who is experiencing or is expected to experience prolonged physical inactivity in the near future by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a leucine metabolite (e.g., ?-hydroxy-?-methylbutyric acid (HMB)) to the subject.

Abstract: Methods of maintaining intramuscular myoglobin levels, maintaining maximal aerobic capacity, and enhancing the oxidative capacity of muscle in a subject in need thereof are provided. Generally, the methods include administering an effective amount of ?-hydroxy-?-methylbutyrate to the subject. The ?-hydroxy-?-methylbutyrate may be administered as part of a nutritional composition.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, including low-calorie beverages or liquids, comprising isoleucine, leucine, valine, cysteine, and methionine, in specified amounts, weight ratios, or both. The compositions are especially useful in treating individuals afflicted with impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a food product comprising: a formed reduced glycemic response cereal component; and a non-sticky reduced glycemic response sweetener coating over the formed cereal component, the sweetener coating comprising: a first sticky layer comprising at least about 30% fructose (of the total sweetener coating); a second less sticky layer having a DE value of about 60 or less and comprising up to about 17% fructose and at least about 1% non-fructose carbohydrates (of the total sweetener coating); and third layer comprising crystalline fructose. The present invention also provides a process for forming the sweetener coating over the formed cereal component comprising the following steps: (a) providing a formed cereal component having thereon a first sticky layer comprising fructose; (b) forming over the first sticky layer a less stick second layer comprising non-fructose carbohydrates and optionally fructose; and (c) applying crystalline fructose over the second layer.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, including low-calorie beverages or liquids, comprising isoleucine, leucine, valine, cysteine, and methionine, in specified amounts, weight ratios, or both. The compositions are especially useful in treating individuals afflicted with impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes.