Food product for reducing muscle breakdown and methods thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods of determining the levels of 3-methylhistidine before and after a meal in a companion animal, wherein the meal is a pet foodstuff having a particular protein to fat ratio, which is useful in decreasing the levels of 3-methylhistidine post-prandially and having the beneficial effects as described herein. The pet foodstuff comprises a ratio of protein to fat of 1:0.27 to 1:0.63 on a gram:gram as fed or dry matter basis. The pet foodstuff described is fed to a companion animal for use in reducing and/or preventing sarcopenia. The present invention also relates to methods of feeding the pet foodstuff described and/or dietary regimes to provide the companion animal with the benefit of reducing and/or preventing sarcopenia.

1 . A method of screening a foodstuff comprising:
 (a) feeding a cat a foodstuff comprising a protein to fat ratio of 1:0.27 to 1:0.63 on a gram:gram as fed or dry matter basis, and   (b) measuring the level of 3-methylhistidine in a blood sample from the cat before and after feeding the foodstuff,   wherein a reduction and/or maintenance in 3-methylhistidine levels post-prandially is indicative of a foodstuff effective to prevent or reduce sarcopenia in a cat.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cat is above 8 years of age. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the levels of 3-methylhistidine are measured at least once between an hour or immediately before the foodstuff is fed to the cat and at least once between at least 30 minutes to 5 hours after the foodstuff has been fed to the cat. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the foodstuff has a protein to fat ratio of about 1:0.33 to 1:0.55 on a gram:gram as fed or dry matter basis. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the foodstuff has a protein to fat ratio of about 1:0.45 on a gram:gram as fed or dry matter basis. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the foodstuff has a protein to fat ratio of about 1:0.37 on a gram:gram as fed or dry matter basis. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the foodstuff is a nutritionally balanced pet foodstuff. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the foodstuff has a low caloric density. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a step of formulating a foodstuff comprising a protein to fat ratio of 1:0.27 to 1:0.63 on a gram:gram as fed or dry matter basis prior to feeding the cat the foodstuff. 
     
     
         10 - 16 . (canceled)