Fatty Acid Nutritional Supplement

Abstract

A seven-carbon fatty acid or derivative thereof has been identified as an excellent energy source for humans or human infants. A nutritional supplement suitable for humans or human infants comprising a seven carbon fatty acid chain compound or derivative thereof can be used to increase energy production derived from fatty acid metabolism. For example, administering a seven carbon fatty acid chain compound or derivative thereof can be used to accelerate the growth rate of a prematurely born human infant.

1 . A method of accelerating the growth rate of a prematurely-born human infant by administering to said infant a seven carbon fatty acid compound or derivative thereof, wherein said compound or derivative thereof is able to readily enter the mitochondrion without special transport enzymes. 
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said seven carbon fatty acid compound comprises n-heptoanoic acid. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said seven carbon fatty acid compound comprises a triglyceride comprising n-heptanoic acid. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said triglyceride comprises triheptanoin. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said derivative is a five carbon fatty acid chain. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said derivative is selected from the group consisting of 4-methylhexanoate, 4-methylhexenoate, 3-hydroxy-4-methylhexanoate, 5methylhexanoate, 5-methylhexenoate and 3-hydroxy-5-methylhexanoate. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said compound or derivative thereof is capable of being broken down by normal J3-oxidation in humans to methylbutyric acid. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said compound or derivative thereof is capable of being broken down by normal J3-oxidation in humans to isovaleric acid. 
   
   
       9 . The method  claim 1 , wherein said compound or derivative is capable of being broken down by normal J3-oxidation in humans to n-valeryl-CoA. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said compound or derivative is capable of being broken down by normal J3-oxidation in humans to propionyl-CoA in one or more oxidative procedures. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said compound or derivative thereof is provided to said human infant in an amount comprising at least about 25% of the dietary caloric requirement for said infant. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said compound or derivative is provided orally. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said compound or derivative is provided parenterally. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said compound or derivative is provided intraperitoneally.