Anti-Aging Foods for Companion Animals

Abstract

The present invention encompasses compositions and methods for the prevention and treatment of age-related conditions in animals, particularly in companion animals, in need thereof. The methods for treating or preventing an age-related condition in an animal in need thereof, comprise administering to the animal an effective amount of a composition comprising at least one of a protein source, a carbohydrate source, a vegetable source, a fruit source, or a combination of two or more thereof. In this method, the protein source is selected from the group consisting of chicken, egg protein, corn gluten meal, and combinations thereof; the carbohydrate source is selected from the group consisting of millet, brewers rice, oat groats, and combinations thereof, the vegetable source is selected from the group consisting of carrots, spinach, tomato pomace, and combinations thereof, wherein the fruit source is citrus pulp.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition for treating or preventing an age-related condition in a companion animal in need thereof, the composition comprising:
 a protein source, wherein the protein source is selected from the group consisting of chicken, egg protein, corn gluten meal, and combinations thereof;   a carbohydrate source, wherein the carbohydrate source is selected from the group consisting of barley, brewers rice, oat groats, corn, and combinations thereof;   a vegetable source, wherein the vegetable source is selected from the group consisting of carrots, spinach, tomato pomace, and combinations thereof; and   a fruit source, wherein the fruit source is citrus pulp.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the carbohydrate source comprises barley, brewers rice, oat grouts, and corn, and wherein the corn is whole yellow corn. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the protein source comprises chicken, egg protein, and corn gluten meal. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein the vegetable source comprises carrot, spinach, and tomato pomace. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the chicken is present in an amount of from 5% to 10%, based on a total weight of the composition on a dry matter basis. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the egg protein is present in an amount of from 4% to 15%, based on the total weight of the composition on a dry matter basis. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the egg protein is present in an amount of from 4% to 5%, based on the total weight of the composition on a dry matter basis. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the fruit source is present in an amount of from 0.5% to 0.6%. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the vegetable source is present in an amount of from 1.5% to 1.7%, based on the total weight of the composition on a dry matter basis. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the composition is a dry food product comprising moisture in an amount of from 3% to 11%, based on a total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the chicken is present in an amount of from 5% to 10%, based on a total weight of the composition on a dry matter basis;   the egg protein is present in an amount of from 4% to 15%, based on the total weight of the composition on a dry matter basis;   the fruit source is present in an amount of from 0.5% to 0.6%; and   the vegetable source is present in an amount of from 1.5% to 1.7%, based on the total weight of the composition on a dry matter basis.   
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the composition is a dry food product comprising moisture in an amount of from 3% to 11%, based on a total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the carbohydrate source comprises barley, oat grouts, and corn, and wherein the corn is whole yellow corn;   the protein source comprises chicken and egg protein; and   the vegetable source comprises carrot, spinach, and tomato pomace.   
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the composition is a moist food product comprising moisture in an amount of from 60% to 90%, based on a total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the chicken is present in an amount of from 20% to 25%, based on a total weight of the composition on a dry matter basis;   the egg protein is present in an amount of from 4% to 5%, based on the total weight of the composition on a dry matter basis;   the fruit source is present in an amount of from 0.5% to 0.6%; and   the vegetable source is present in an amount of from 1.5% to 1.7%, based on the total weight of the composition on a dry matter basis.   
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 15 , wherein the composition is a moist food product comprising moisture in an amount of from 60% to 90%, based on a total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the composition increases one or more of peroxiredoxin-1 levels, proteasome levels, and ceruloplamin levels after administration to the companion animal in need thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the composition increases one or more of peroxiredoxin-1 levels, proteasome levels, and ceruloplamin levels after administration to the companion animal in need thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 18 , wherein the composition increases the peroxiredoxin-1 levels, the proteasome levels, the and ceruloplamin levels after administration to the companion animal in need thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 15 , wherein the composition increases one or more of peroxiredoxin-1 levels, proteasome levels, and ceruloplamin levels after administration to the companion animal in need thereof.