Medium chain dicarboxylic acids, their derivates and metabolic disorders

Abstract

A composition comprising medium chain dicarboxylic acids and/or derivatives of medium chain dicarboxylic acids can be used to treat or prevent metabolic disorders. The composition can particularly well be used to treat or prevent hyperglycemia, for example diabetes.

The invention is claimed as follows: 
     
         1 . A method of treating or preventing metabolic disorders in a mammal comprising the steps of administering to a mammal in need of same a product comprising an ingredient selected from the group consisting of medium chain dicarboxylic acids, derivatives of medium chain dicarboxylic acids and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the product is selected from the group consisting of a food product, a food supplement, a nutraceutical, a pet food product and a medicament. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the product is for oral or enteral application and further comprises an additional ingredient selected from the group consisting of a protein source, a carbohydrate source and a lipid source. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the medium chain dicarboxylic acids are selected from the group consisting of adipic (C6) acid, suberic (C8) acid, sebacic (C10) acid, dodecanedioic (C12) acid, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the derivatives of medium chain dicarboxylic acids are selected from the group consisting of salt forms of dicarboxylic acids and esters of dicarboxylic acids. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the salt forms of dicarboxylic acids are selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and amino acids salts of dicarboxylic acids. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the esters of dicarboxylic acids are selected from the group consisting of glycerol esters and ethanol esters. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the ingredient selected from the group consisting of medium chain dicarboxylic acids, derivatives of medium chain dicarboxylic acids and mixtures thereof is present in the product in an amount of 1 g-50 g per daily dose. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the product comprises at least one food grade bacteria. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the at least one food grade bacteria comprises a probiotic. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the product contains at least one prebiotic. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the product is administered to a pre-diabetic or diabetic subject. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the product is administered during or after a meal. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the product has a benefit selected from the group consisting of treating hyperglycemia, preventing hyperglycemia, improving glucose clearance and improving insulin sensitivity. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the product has a benefit selected from the group consisting of inhibiting hepatic glucose production, decreasing endogenous glucose production, treating diabetes, and preventing diabetes. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the product treats or prevents a hyperglycemia-related disorder. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the hyperglycemia-related disorder is selected from the group consisting of nephropathy, retinopathy, heart disease, and cardiovascular disease.