Nutritional composition and method for improving protein deposition

Abstract

Compositions and methods that stimulate body protein synthesis and can improve muscle mass maintenance and recovery are provided. The composition comprises (i) a protein source which provides at least about 8% total calories of the composition and which includes at least about 50% by weight of whey protein; (ii) a lipid source having an omega 3:6 fatty acid ratio of about 5:1 to about 10:1 and which provides at least about 18% total calories of the composition; (iii) a carbohydrate source; and (iv) a balanced macronutrient profile comprising at least vitamin E and vitamin C.

1 . A method for improving muscle protein synthesis comprising the steps of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising: a protein source which provides at least 8% of the total calories of the composition and which includes at least 50% by weight, of the protein source, whey protein, a lipid source having an omega 3 to 6 fatty acid ratio of approximately 5:1 to about 10:1 and which provides at least 18% of the total calories of the composition, a carbohydrate source, and a macronutrient profile comprising at least vitamin E and vitamin C.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the whey protein includes a partially hydrolyzed whey protein.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the whey protein includes a whey protein hydrolysate that comprises at least 50% of the protein source in the composition.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least 50% by weight of the whey protein is hydrolyzed.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition includes caseino glycomacropeptide.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the protein source provides up to about 20% of the total energy of the composition.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the lipid source comprises about 40% to about 65% by weight of monounsaturated fatty acids and about 15% to about 30% by weight of polyunsaturated fatty acids.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the saturated fatty acid content is less than 30% by weight.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the lipid source provides approximately 25% to about 35% of total energy of the composition.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the carbohydrate source comprises sucrose, corn syrup, maltodextrin or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the carbohydrate source provides approximately 50% to about 60% of total energy of the composition.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the micronutrient composition includes one or more micronutrients selected from the group consisting of: Vitamin E, Vitamin C, taurine, folic acid and vitamin B-12.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  which comprises at least one prebiotic fiber selected from the group consisting of: inulin; acacia gum; resistant starch; dextran; xylo-oligosaccharide; fructooligosaccharide (FOS); and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  including at least one probiotic micro-organism.  
     
     
         15 . A method for preventing muscle loss in an individual at risk of same comprising the steps of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising: a protein source which provides at least 8% of the total calories of the composition and which includes at least 50% by weight, of the protein source including whey protein, a lipid source having an omega 3 to 6 fatty acid ratio of approximately 5:1 to about 10:1 and which provides at least 18% of the total calories of the composition, a carbohydrate source, and a macronutrient profile comprising at least vitamin E and vitamin C.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the whey protein includes a partially hydrolyzed whey protein.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the whey protein includes a whey protein hydrolysate that comprises at least 50% of the protein source in the composition.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein at least 50% by weight of the whey protein is hydrolyzed.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the protein source provides up to about 20% of the total energy of the composition.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the lipid source comprises about 40% to about 65% by weight of monounsaturated fatty acids and about 15% to about 30% by weight of polyunsaturated fatty acids.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the saturated fatty acid content is less than about 30% by weight.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the lipid source provides approximately 25% to about 35% of total energy of the composition.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the micronutrient composition includes one or more micronutrients selected from the group consisting of: Vitamin E; Vitamin C; taurine; folic acid; and vitamin B-12.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 15  which comprises at least one prebiotic fiber selected from the group consisting of inulin; acacia gum; resistant starch; dextran; xylo-oligosaccharide; fructooligosaccharide; and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 15  including at least one probiotic micro-organism.  
     
     
         26 . A method for accelerating muscle mass recovery comprising the steps of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition to an individual comprising: a protein source which provides at least 8% of the total calories of the composition and which includes at least 50% by weight, of the protein source including whey protein, a lipid source having an omega 3 to 6 fatty acid ratio of approximately 5:1 to about 10:1 and which provides at least about 18% of the total calories of the composition, a carbohydrate source; and a macronutrient profile comprising at least vitamin E and vitamin C.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the whey protein includes a partially hydrolyzed whey protein.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the whey protein includes a whey protein hydrolysate that comprises at least 50% of the protein source in the composition.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26  wherein at least 50% by weight of the whey protein is hydrolyzed.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the protein source provides up to about 20% of the total energy of the composition.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the lipid source comprises about 40% to about 65% by weight of monounsaturated fatty acids and approximately 15% to about 30% by weight of polyunsaturated fatty acids.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the saturated fatty acid content is less than about 30% by weight.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the lipid source provides approximately 25% to about 35% of total energy of the composition.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the micronutrient composition includes one or more micronutrients selected from the group consisting of: Vitamin E; Vitamin C; taurine; folic acid; and vitamin B-12.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 26  which comprises at least one prebiotic fiber selected from the group consisting of: inulin; acacia gum; resistant starch; dextran; xylo-oligosaccharide; fructooligosaccharide; and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 26  including at least one probiotic micro-organism.