Nutritional compositions comprising hydrolyzed protein and a modified fat system and uses thereof

Abstract

Disclosed embodiments provide nutritional compositions and methods of enhancing maturation of an infant's brain. The methods include the step of administering to the infant a nutritional composition comprising a protein with a degree of hydrolysis of 10% to 75% in combination with at least one of a monoglyceride, a free fatty acid, a salt of a free fatty acid, a phospholipid, and cholesterol.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of inhibiting neuronal cell death in an individual in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the individual a nutritional composition comprising a protein with a degree of hydrolysis of 10% to 75% and at least one of a monoglyceride, a free fatty acid, a salt of a free fatty acid, a phospholipid, and cholesterol, and wherein after administration the individual's neuronal cell death is reduced. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the individual in need thereof is a preterm infant. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nutritional composition comprises a mixture of a monoglyceride, a phospholipid, cholesterol, and at least one of a free fatty acid and a salt of a free fatty acid. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the monoglyceride comprises monoglycerol palmitate. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nutritional composition is a human milk fortifier. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nutritional composition is a powdered human milk fortifier. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nutritional composition is an infant formula. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the nutritional composition is a preterm infant formula. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nutritional composition further comprises a carbohydrate. 
     
     
         10 . A method of treating neuronal tissue inflammation in an individual in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the individual a nutritional composition comprising a protein with a degree of hydrolysis of 10% to 75% and at least one of a monoglyceride, a free fatty acid, a salt of a free fatty acid, a phospholipid and cholesterol, and wherein after administration the individual's neuronal tissue inflammation is reduced. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the nutritional composition comprises a mixture of a monoglyceride, a phospholipid, cholesterol, and at least one of a free fatty acid and a salt of a free fatty acid. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the monoglyceride comprises monoglycerol palmitate. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nutritional composition is a human milk fortifier. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the nutritional composition is a powdered human milk fortifier. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nutritional composition is an infant formula. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the nutritional composition is a preterm infant formula. 
     
     
         17 . A method for the prevention, delay of progression, or the treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder, comprising:
 administering to an individual in need thereof a nutritional composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a DPP-IV inhibiting protein.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the DPP-IV inhibiting protein has a degree of hydrolysis of 10% to 75%.