Compositions for improved oxidative status in companion animals

Abstract

A food composition that is useful for increasing antioxidant levels in the body is provided having increased levels of sulfur-containing amino acids, such as methionine, cysteine, or mixtures thereof. Methods of using these compositions for increasing antioxidant levels in the body in mammals, especially in companion animals, are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A diet composition suitable for feeding to young companion animals, the composition comprising a sulfur-containing antioxidant other than lipoic acid in an amount effective in increasing blood antioxidant levels. 
     
     
         2 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the sulfur-containing antioxidant is a sulfur-containing amino acid selected from the group consisting of cysteine, methionine, taurine, glutathione, s-adenosyl methionine n-acetyl cysteine, cystathionine, cysteic acid, cysteine sulfunic acid, cystine, methionine sulfone, methionine sulfoxide, betaine, methyl hydroxy analog of methionine and mixtures thereof or a methyl ester of one or more of said sulfur-containing amino acids. 
     
     
         3 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the sulfur-containing antioxidant is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of methionine, cysteine and a mixture of cysteine and methionine. 
     
     
         4 . A composition according to  claim 3 , wherein the young companion animal is a kitten. 
     
     
         5 . A composition according to  claim 4 , wherein the methionine is present at a concentration of from about 0.8 wt. % to about 1.5 wt. %. 
     
     
         6 . A composition according to  claim 4 , wherein the cysteine is present in an amount of front about 0.2 wt. % to about 0.7 wt. %. 
     
     
         7 . A composition according to  claim 4 , wherein the mixture of cysteine and methionine is present in a total amount of from about 1.0 wt. % to about 2.2 wt. %. 
     
     
         8 . A composition according to  claim 3 , wherein the young companion animal is a puppy. 
     
     
         9 . A composition according to  claim 8 , wherein the methionine is present at a concentration of from about 0.3 wt. % to about 0.6 wt. %. 
     
     
         10 . A composition according to  claim 8 , wherein the cysteine is present in an amount of from about 0.15 wt. % to about 0.4 wt. %. 
     
     
         11 . A composition according to  claim 8 , wherein the mixture of cysteine and methionine is present in a total amount of from about 0.45 wt. % to about 1 wt. %. 
     
     
         12 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein increasing antioxidant levels is indicated by an increase in blood taurine concentrations, an increase in blood oxygen radical absorptive capacity, an increase in blood vitamin E concentrations or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein increasing antioxidant levels provides a benefit selected from the group consisting of improved cognitive function, decreased brain aging, decreased DNA damage, decreased oxidative stress from exercise, improved immune function, improved management of diabetes, improved management of cardiovascular disease, improved management of gastrointestinal disease, increased growth performance in young animal and increased longevity in adult felines. 
     
     
         14 . A composition according to  claim 13 , wherein increasing antioxidant levels increases growth performance in kittens.