Composition and Method for Reducing Post-Prandial Blood Glucose

Abstract

A nutritional intervention composition for reducing post-prandial blood glucose levels in humans, including between about 0.1 mg and about 10 mg of a proteinase inhibitor that is administered prior to the meal. The composition is effective for treating or ameliorating the effects of hyperglycemia and Type II diabetes. The composition also is effective in combating obesity. The proteinase inhibitor is preferably isolated from plant material, such as potatoes, soy, and beans. Potato proteinase inhibitor II and soybean Bowman-Birk inhibitor are included in the group of effective proteinase inhibitors.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A nutritional intervention composition for reducing post-prandial blood glucose in humans, comprising between about 0.1 mg and about 500 mg of a proteinase inhibitor administered prior to the meal. 
     
     
         2 . A nutritional intervention composition as defined in  claim 1  wherein said composition is taken 1 to 30 minutes before the meal. 
     
     
         3 . A nutritional intervention composition as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the proteinase inhibitor is isolated from plant material. 
     
     
         4 . A nutritional intervention composition as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the proteinase inhibitor is derived from the group of plants consisting of potatoes, soy and beans. 
     
     
         5 . A nutritional intervention composition as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the proteinase inhibitor is proteinase inhibitor II isolated from potatoes. 
     
     
         6 . A nutritional intervention composition as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the proteinase inhibitor is Bowman-Birk inhibitor isolated from soybeans. 
     
     
         7 . A nutritional intervention composition as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the proteinase inhibitor reduces the initial blood glucose spike. 
     
     
         8 . A nutritional intervention composition as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the proteinase inhibitor reduces the area under the curve blood glucose. 
     
     
         9 . A nutritional intervention composition as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the area under the curve blood glucose is measured over a time period of up to 4 hours after the meal. 
     
     
         10 . A nutritional intervention composition as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the proteinase inhibitor reduces the initial blood glucose spike by between about 5 percent and about 30 percent. 
     
     
         11 . A nutritional intervention composition as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the proteinase inhibitor reduces the area under the curve blood glucose over a period of about 3.5 hours following the meal by between about 5 percent and about 40 percent. 
     
     
         12 . A nutritional intervention composition as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the proteinase inhibitor is potato proteinase inhibitor II administered orally in a dose of between about 0.5 and about 500 mg.