Compositions and methods using p-anisaldehyde

Abstract

Compositions contain a therapeutically effective amount of p-anisaldehyde for at least one of provoking the swallowing reflex of dysphagic patients, decreasing appetite by delaying gastric emptying, reducing body weight gain, or reducing glycemia by improving insulin sensitivity, or improving mood, memory or cognition. Methods are provided that include administering such compositions.

The invention is claimed as follows: 
     
         1 . A method of decreasing appetite comprising administering to an individual in need thereof a composition comprising p-anisaldehyde in an amount therapeutically effective for delaying gastric emptying. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the individual has a condition selected from the group consisting of overweight, obesity, a risk of overweight, a risk of obesity, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . A method of reducing body weight gain comprising administering to an individual in need thereof a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of p-anisaldehyde. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the individual has a condition selected from the group consisting of overweight, obesity, a risk of overweight, a risk of obesity, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . A method of reducing glycemia comprising administering to an individual in need thereof a composition comprising p-anisaldehyde in an amount therapeutically effective for improving at least one of insulin sensitivity or glucose tolerance. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the individual is selected from the group consisting of an infant born preterm, an infant experiencing intrauterine growth restriction, a pregnant woman suffering from gestational diabetes, a human suffering from insulin resistance, and a human suffering from type II diabetes. 
     
     
         7 . A composition comprising an amount of p-anisaldehyde that is therapeutically effective for causing at least one condition selected from the group consisting of provoking the swallowing reflex of dysphagic patients, decreasing appetite by delaying gastric emptying, reducing body weight gain, and reducing glycemia by improving at least one of insulin sensitivity or glucose tolerance. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 7  wherein the composition is a food product. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 7  wherein the food product comprises a component selected from the group consisting of protein, carbohydrate, fat and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . A method for improving one or more of cognitive performance, cognition, mood, or memory comprising administering to an individual in need thereof a composition comprising p-anisaldehyde. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the individual has a condition selected from the group consisting of cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, dementia, a mood disorder, memory loss, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . A method of making a nutritional composition comprising the steps of incorporating into the nutritional composition an amount of p-anisaldehyde that is therapeutically effective for causing at least one condition selected from the group consisting of provoking the swallowing reflex of dysphagic patients; decreasing appetite by delaying gastric emptying; reducing body weight gain; reducing glycemia by improving at least one of insulin sensitivity or glucose tolerance; and improving at least one of mood, memory or cognition.