Protein hydrolysates as agents for overcoming addiction

Abstract

This invention is directed to the use of a protein hydrolysate, and in particular an egg lysozyme hydrolysate to assist an animal, including a human in overcoming an addition, or by breaking an unwanted habit.

1 . Use of a hydrolyzed lysozyme composition to assist an animal, including a human, in refraining from engaging in an undesired behavior, and/or refraining from indulging in an addictive behavior and/or reward-seeking behavior. 
     
     
         2 . Use according to  claim 1  wherein the animal is a human. 
     
     
         3 . Use according to  claim 1  wherein the animal is an animal in a zoo, a farm animal, a pet or companion animal, or a racing animal. 
     
     
         4 . Use according to  claim 1  wherein the behavior is selected from the group consisting of: smoking, alcohol abuse, gambling, drug abuse, compulsive behaviors , uncontrollable behaviors such as compulsive shopping, eating, hoarding, improper sexual behaviors, kleptomania, pyromania, cutting or self harm, cravings, and potentially harmful risky behaviors. 
     
     
         5 . Use according to  claim 1  wherein the behavior is a habit which the individual wishes to break. 
     
     
         6 . Use according to  claim 1  wherein the hydrolyzed lysozyme composition is present in a food, feed, nutraceutical, or food supplement. 
     
     
         7 . Use according to  claim 1  as an adjunctive treatment or supportive accompanying diet during dehabituation programs, or to assist dehabituation processes. 
     
     
         8 . Use according to  claim 1  wherein the hydrolyzed lysozyme composition is characterized by: a Trp/LNAA ratio between 0.15 and 0.20. 
     
     
         9 . A method of assisting an animal, including a human, in refraining from an undesired behavior, and/or resisting from indulging in an addictive behavior comprising:
 a) administering a hydrolyzed lysozyme composition, and b) noticing abstinence from the behavior.   
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein the animal is a human. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein the animal is an animal in a zoo, a farm animal, a pet or companion animal, or a racing animal. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein the behavior is selected from the group consisting of: smoking, alcohol abuse, gambling, drug abuse, compulsive behaviors , uncontrollable behaviors such as compulsive shopping, eating, hoarding, improper sexual behaviors, kleptomania, pyromania, cutting or self harm, cravings, and potentially harmful risky behaviors. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein the behavior is a habit which the individual wishes to break. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein the hydro lyzed lysozyme composition is present in a food, feed, nutraceutical, or food supplement. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein the hydro lyzed lysozyme composition is characterized by: a Trp/LNAA ratio between 0.15 and 0.20. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein the hydro lyzed lysozyme is an adjunctive treatment or supportive accompanying diet during dehabituation programs, or to assist dehabituation processes. 
     
     
         17 . A method of doing business comprising marketing a hydrolyzed lysozyme composition for sale to a consumer comprising: informing the consumer that the hydrolyzed lysozyme composition is useful for assisting an animal, including a human, in refraining from an undesired behavior, and/or resisting from indulging in an undesired behavior. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17  wherein the informing is done by printing such information on the packaging, or by a displaying the information in proximity to the composition, or by advertising media which is not in physical proximity to the product.