Methods for modulating corticosterone levels in psychologically stressed individuals

Abstract

Disclosed are methods of modulating and/or decreasing serum corticosterone levels in an individual affected by stress. Further disclosed are methods of modulating the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal response in an individual. The methods include administration of 2-fucosyl-lactose to an individual.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of reducing a stress response in an individual, the method comprising:
 administering to the individual a nutritional composition comprising 2-fucosyl-lactose in an amount effective to reduce the stress response.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the stress response is an exacerbated stress response. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nutritional composition further comprises a human milk oligosaccharide selected from lacto-N-neotetraose, 3′-sialylactose, 6′-sialylactose, and lactodifucotetraose. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nutritional composition is a liquid comprising from 0.001 mg/mL to about 20 mg/mL of 2-fucosyl-lactose. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nutritional composition is a liquid comprising from 0.001 mg/mL to about 10 mg/mL of 2-fucosyl-lactose. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nutritional composition is a liquid comprising from 0.001 mg/mL to about 5 mg/mL of 2-fucosyl-lactose. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nutritional composition is a powder comprising from about 0.0005% to about 5% of 2-fucosyl-lactose by weight of the powder. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nutritional composition is a powder comprising from about 0.01% to about 1% of 2-fucosyl-lactose by weight of the powder. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nutritional composition further comprises at least one of a fat, protein, and carbohydrate. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nutritional composition is an infant formula. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nutritional composition is administered to the individual with an amount of 2-fucosyl-lactose effective to reduce serum corticosterone levels. 
     
     
         11 . A method of treating or preventing an exacerbated stress response in an individual affected by stress, the method comprising:
 administering to the individual a nutritional composition comprising 2-fucosyl-lactose in an amount effective to treat or prevent the exacerbated stress response.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the nutritional composition further comprises a human milk oligosaccharide selected from lacto-N-neotetraose, 3′-sialylactose, 6′-sialylactose, and lactodifucotetraose. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the stress is acute psychological stress. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the nutritional composition is a liquid comprising from 0.001 mg/mL to about 20 mg/mL of 2-fucosyl-lactose. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the nutritional composition is a liquid comprising from 0.001 mg/mL to about 10 mg/mL of 2-fucosyl-lactose. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the nutritional composition is a liquid comprising from 0.001 mg/mL to about 5 mg/mL of 2-fucosyl-lactose. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the nutritional composition is a powder comprising from about 0.0005% to about 5% of 2-fucosyl-lactose by weight of the powder. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the nutritional composition is a powder comprising from about 0.01% to about 1% of 2-fucosyl-lactose by weight of the powder. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the nutritional composition further comprises at least one of a fat, protein, and carbohydrate. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the nutritional composition is administered to the individual with an amount of 2-fucosyl-lactose effective to reduce serum corticosterone levels.