Methods and lipid compositions for promoting development of gut flora

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of inducing and promoting development of beneficial gut flora in a subject and/or of reducing the frequency and duration of crying periods in a subject, the method comprises administering to the subject a lipid composition comprising a vegetable-derived fat source, wherein the fat source is a triglyceride fat source comprising triglycerides with 15-55% palmitic acid moieties out of the total fatty acids, and wherein the level of palmitic acid moieties at the sn-2 position of the glycerol backbone is at least 30% of total palmitic acid. The method is particularly intended for children. Specific fat sources, as well as food articles and a commercial package comprising the same are disclosed.

1 - 45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . A method of reducing the frequency and duration of crying periods in an infant, comprising administering to said infant a lipid composition comprising an enzymatically prepared vegetable-derived fat source, wherein said fat source is a triglyceride fat source comprising triglycerides with 15-55% palmitic acid moieties out of the total fatty acids, and wherein the level of palmitic acid moieties at the sn-2 position of the glycerol backbone is at least 30% of total palmitic acid. 
     
     
         47 - 49 . (canceled) 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein in said fat source at least 50% or 70% of the total fatty acid moieties at the sn-1 and sn-3 positions of the glycerol backbone are unsaturated. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein in said fat source at least 35% or at least 40% of said unsaturated fatty acid moieties at the sn-1 and sn-3 positions are oleic acid moieties. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein in said fat source at least 4% or 6% of said unsaturated fatty acid moieties at the sn-1 and sn-3 positions are linoleic acid moieties. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein in said vegetable-derived fat source: (i) at least 30%, 33%, 38% or 40% of the total palmitic acid residues are at the sn-2 position of the glycerol backbone; (ii) at least 50% or 70% of the fatty acid moieties at the sn-1 and sn-3 positions of the glycerol backbone are unsaturated; (iii) at least 35% or 40%, of said unsaturated fatty acid moieties at the sn-1 and sn-3 positions are oleic acid moieties; and (iv) at least 4% or 6%, of said unsaturated fatty acid moieties at the sn-1 and sn-3 positions are linoleic acid moieties. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein in said vegetable-derived fat source at least 13% w/w of the total fatty acid residues at the sn-2 position of the glycerol backbone are palmitic acid residues. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said vegetable-derived fat source comprises a fat base blended with a mixture of vegetable oils, wherein said mixture comprises oils selected from the group consisting of soy, palm tree, canola, coconut, palm kernel, sunflower, corn, safflower and rapeseed oil. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein said vegetable oils may be randomized before blending with the fat base. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said vegetable-derived fat source is comprised in any one of food article and infant formula, wherein said food article is selected from bakery products, including bread, particularly biscuits and pastries, human milk fat substitute, dairy products, including milk and dairy drinks, ice cream, cereal products, sauces, soup, spreads, including margarine, fillings, oils and fats, soy products, meat products, fried food products, confectionery products, bars, candy bars, candies and chocolates, snacks, drinks and shakes, instant products, instant drink products, frozen food, prepared foods for infants, toddlers and young children, including prepared cooked mashed vegetables and/or fruits, condiment products, and cooking oils and fats. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said infant was delivered by a Caesarean Section. 
     
     
         59 . The method according to  claim 46 , wherein said infant is a newborn selected from pre-term infant and term infant. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said subject is at risk of developing an imbalance in the profile of the gut flora population. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said fat source is comprised in any one of food article and infant formula, wherein said food article is selected from bakery products, including bread, particularly biscuits and pastries, human milk fat substitute, dairy products, including milk and dairy drinks, ice cream, cereal products, sauces, soup, spreads, including margarine, fillings, oils and fats, soy products, meat products, fried food products, confectionery products, bars, candy bars, candies and chocolates, snacks, drinks and shakes, instant products, instant drink products, frozen food, prepared foods for infants, toddlers and young children, including prepared cooked mashed vegetables and/or fruits, condiment products, and cooking oils and fats. 
     
     
         62 . The fat source of  claim 61 , wherein said infant formula comprises said fat source, together with a protein source, a carbohydrate source, minerals, vitamins and optionally at least one of carrier, diluent, additive or excipient. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein said fat source is comprised in any one of food article and infant formula, wherein said food article is selected from bakery products, including bread, particularly biscuits and pastries, human milk fat substitute, dairy products, including milk and dairy drinks, ice cream, cereal products, sauces, soup, spreads, including margarine, fillings, oils and fats, soy products, meat products, fried food products, confectionery products, bars, candy bars, candies and chocolates, snacks, drinks and shakes, instant products, instant drink products, frozen food, prepared foods for infants, toddlers and young children, including prepared cooked mashed vegetables and/or fruits, condiment products, and cooking oils and fats. 
     
     
         64 . The fat source of  claim 63 , wherein said infant formula comprises said fat source, together with a protein source, a carbohydrate source, minerals, vitamins and optionally at least one of carrier, diluent, additive or excipient.