Osteoarthritis diet formulations

Abstract

Dietary formulations and methods for treating, preventing or delay onset of osteoarthritis in canines and other animals are disclosed. The formulations are enriched in n-3 fatty acids and limited in n-6 fatty acids.

1 . A method of treating, preventing or delaying onset of arthritis in a mammal, comprising:
 (a) identifying a mammal susceptible to or suffering from arthritis; and   (b) administering to the mammal a dietary formulation comprising long chain n-3 fatty acids in an amount of at least about 0.1% to 1.5% by weight of the dietary formulation, thereby treating, preventing or delaying the onset of arthritis in the mammal.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the arthritis is osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mammal is a dog or cat. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dietary formulation comprises at least one of α-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid or docosahexaenoic acid. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dietary formulation comprises n-6 fatty acids in an amount less than about 3% of the dietary formulation. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the dietary formulation comprises arachidonic acid in an amount less than about 0.125% of the dietary formulation. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the dietary formulation comprises linoleic acid in an amount less than about 2% of the dietary formulation. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dietary formulation comprises n-3 and n-6 fatty acids in a ratio of at least about 1:2. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dietary formulation further comprises at least one of glucosamine or chondroitin. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dietary formulation further comprises at least one antioxidant. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dietary formulation further comprises at least one nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dietary formulation is in the form of a dietary supplement. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the formulation is in the form of a pet food or pet treat for the dog or cat. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dietary formulation further comprises ingredients to promote weight loss in the mammal. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising subjecting the mammal to caloric restriction, or controlled exercise, or a combination thereof, to promote weight loss. 
     
     
         16 . A method of decreasing production of at least one matrix metalloproteinase in synovial fluid of a mammal comprising:
 (a) identifying a mammal in need of decreased production of at least one matrix metalloproteinase in its synovial fluid; and   (b) administering to the mammal a dietary formulation comprising long chain n-3 fatty acids in an amount of at least about 0.1% to 1.5% by weight of the formulation, thereby decreasing the production of the at least one matrix metalloproteinase in the synovial fluid of the mammal.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the matrix metalloproteinase is MMP-2 or MMP-9. 
     
     
         18 . A method of decreasing production of inflammatory cytokines in a mammal comprising:
 (a) identifying a mammal in need of decreased production of inflammatory cytokines; and   (b) administering to the mammal a dietary formulation comprising long chain n-3 fatty acids in an amount of at least about 0.1% to 1.5% by weight of the formulation, thereby decreasing the production of the inflammatory cytokines in the mammal.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the inflammatory cytokine is interleukin-1, interleukin-6 or tissue necrosis factor-α. 
     
     
         20 . A method of reducing arachidonic acid in the membranes of a mammal in vivo, comprising
 (a) identifying a mammal in need of reduced arachidonic acid in its membranes in vivo; and   (b) administering to the mammal a dietary formulation comprising long chain n-3 fatty acids in an amount of at least about 0.1% to 1.5% by weight of the formulation, thereby reducing the arachidonic acid in the membranes of the mammal in vivo.