Dietary and nutritional compositions and methods of use

Abstract

A hydrated lecithin carrier vesicle composition includes lecithin and a triglyceride source or fatty acid in conditioned water. The disclosed compositions may be used for controlling appetite, weight loss, modulating effects from alcohol consumption, and/or delivering active agents to the small intestine.

1 . A composition, comprising a stable homogeneous dispersion, comprising:
 a vesicle having a membrane and an aqueous phase, the vesicle comprising:
 lecithin; and 
 a triglyceride source dispersed in the lecithin; and 
   conditioned water.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the lecithin has a phosphatidylcholine content of about 80 w/w % or less. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the vesicle has a volume-weighted mean diameter of about 500 nm or less. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the triglyceride source has an overall unsaturated fatty acid to saturated fatty acid ratio of at least 4:1 by weight. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the triglyceride source has a ratio of the sum of mono-unsaturated fatty acids and tri-unsaturated fatty acids to di-unsaturated fatty acids of at least 1:1. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the triglyceride source has an average oleic acid content of at least 40% by weight based on the total weight of fatty acids in the triglyceride source. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the triglyceride source comprises olive oil, and/or, canola oil, and/or almond oil, and/or flaxseed oil, and/or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein the triglyceride source is at most 50% by weight based on the total weight of the lecithin and the triglyceride source. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein the triglyceride source is a mixture of corn oil and olive oil. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an acidulant buffer. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein the acidulant buffer is present in a molar ratio of acidulant buffer to lecithin of about 0.1:1 to about 5:1. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein the molar ratio of acidulant buffer to lecithin is at least 5:1. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the vesicle further comprises a lipophilic agent dispersed therein. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claims 1 , further comprising a water soluble agent. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 13  wherein the triglyceride source comprises carbon chain lengths of less than 14 carbons and/or saturated fatty acids. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 14 , wherein the water soluble agent is an appetite suppressant. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 16 , wherein the appetite suppressant is a soluble fiber and/or a phytochemical, and/or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . A method for suppressing an appetite of a human or animal, comprising:
 administering the composition of  claim 1  to the human or animal.   
     
     
         19 . A composition, comprising a stable homogenous dispersion, comprising:
 a vesicle having a membrane and an aqueous phase, the vesicle comprising:
 lecithin; and 
 at least one fatty acid dispersed in the lecithin; and 
   conditioned water.   
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one fatty acid is an omega-3 fatty acid or a mixture of omega-3 fatty acids. 
     
     
         21 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one fatty acid is eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and/or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). 
     
     
         22 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an active agent. 
     
     
         23 . A method of delivering an active agent to the small intestine of a human or animal, comprising:
 administering the composition of  claim 22  to the human or animal.   
     
     
         24 . A method of delivering an active agent to the bloodstream of a human or animal, comprising:
 administering the composition of  claim 22  to the human or animal.   
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method of attenuating facial flushing and/or an increase in heart rate of a human or animal caused by consumption of alcohol, comprising:
 administering the composition of  claim 1  to the human or animal.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the active agent is a plant sterol or at least one lipophilic compound.