Method of Increasing Muscle Mass and Strength and Compositions Therefor

Abstract

A method of increasing muscle mass and strength in mammals by orally administering a therapeutically effective amount of phosphatidic acid. The phosphatidic acid is preferably administered as a plurality of doses per day with at least one dose being administered during the anabolic window following exercise. Preferably, the method further includes the cotemporaneous administration of a therapeutically effective amount of creatine, optionally as phosphatidylcreatine. In addition or in the alternative, the method further includes the cotemporaneous administration of a therapeutically effective amount of leucine, optionally as phosphatidylleucine.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of increasing muscle mass and strength in mammals, the method comprising the step of orally administering a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of phosphatidic acid. 
     
     
         2 . A method of increasing muscle mass and strength in mammals according to  claim 2 , wherein the mammal is human and the therapeutically effective amount of phosphatidic acid is 0.5-4.0 grams per day. 
     
     
         3 . A method of increasing muscle mass and strength in mammals according to  claim 2 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of phosphatidic acid is approximately 1.0-1.5 grams per day. 
     
     
         4 . A method of increasing muscle mass and strength in mammals according to  claim 2 , said oral administration step further comprising the step of dividing the therapeutically effective amount of phosphatidic acid into a plurality of doses per day with at least one dose being administered within 1-2 hours following an exercise session. 
     
     
         5 . A method of increasing muscle mass and strength in mammals according to  claim 2 , wherein said oral administration step is executed to an exercising subject following exercise during the anabolic window. 
     
     
         6 . A method of increasing muscle mass and strength in mammals according to  claim 5 , further comprising the step of orally administering 20-100 grams of protein during the anabolic window. 
     
     
         7 . A method of increasing muscle mass and strength in mammals according to  claim 6 , wherein the protein is a complete protein containing all the essential amino acids. 
     
     
         8 . A method of increasing muscle mass and strength in mammals according to  claim 6 , wherein the protein is whey or partially hydrolyzed collagen protein. 
     
     
         9 . A method of increasing muscle mass and strength in mammals according to  claim 1 , said composition further comprising a therapeutically effective amount of creatine. 
     
     
         10 . A method of increasing muscle mass and strength in mammals according to  claim 9 , wherein said therapeutically effective amount of creatine is 3-20 grams. 
     
     
         11 . A method of increasing muscle mass and strength in mammals according to  claim 9 , said composition including phosphatidylcreatine. 
     
     
         12 . A method of increasing muscle mass and strength in mammals according to  claim 1 , said composition further comprising a therapeutically effective amount of leucine. 
     
     
         13 . A method of increasing muscle mass and strength in mammals according to  claim 12 , wherein said therapeutically effective amount of leucine is 2-5 grams. 
     
     
         14 . A method of increasing muscle mass and strength in mammals according to  claim 12 , said composition including phosphatidylleucine.