Formulations for nutritional support in subjects in need thereof

Abstract

Formulations having a protein component, in which the protein contains one or more digestion-aiding proteins, and/or one or more immunoprotective proteins. The formulations may also contain a fat component, a carbohydrate component, and vitamins and minerals. These formulations can be used to provide nutritional support to a subject, either as dietary supplements or as a primary source of nutrition, such as for an infant formula.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A formulation for oral administration comprising a protein component, the protein component designating the entire amount of protein comprised by the formulation, wherein the protein component comprises:
 whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) comprising about 10% to about 55% by weight of the protein component;   alpha-lactalbumin comprising about 5% to about 25% by weight of the protein component; and   lactoferrin comprising about 0.5% to about 6% by weight of the protein component;   wherein the formulation comprises milk, the milk comprising milk protein naturally occurring in the milk, and the entire amount of the milk protein naturally occurring in the milk being considered part of the protein component; and   wherein the milk is in an amount to provide about 8% to about 40% by weight of the protein component.   
     
     
         2 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the WPH comprises about 26% to about 35% of the protein component;   the alpha-lactalbumin comprises about 14% to about 20% of the protein component;   the lactoferrin comprises about 1% to about 6% of the protein component; and   the milk is in an amount to provide about 25% to about 30% by weight of the protein component.   
     
     
         3 . The formulation of  claim 2 , wherein the milk is milk from a non-human mammal. 
     
     
         4 . The formulation of  claim 3 , wherein the milk is cow's milk. 
     
     
         5 . The formulation of  claim 4 , wherein the milk is whole milk. 
     
     
         6 . The formulation of  claim 4 , wherein the milk is skim milk. 
     
     
         7 . The formulation of  claim 4 , wherein the milk is reduced-fat milk or low-fat milk. 
     
     
         8 . The formulation of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the WPH comprises about 26% to about 28% of the protein component; and   the alpha-lactalbumin comprises about 18% to about 20% of the protein component.   
     
     
         9 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the WPH and the lactoferrin are present in the formulation in a ratio of about 3:1 to about 7:1 by weight; and   the alpha-lactalbumin and the lactoferrin are present in the formulation in a ratio of about 2:1 to about 4:1 by weight.   
     
     
         10 . The formulation of  claim 1 , comprising a fat component and a carbohydrate component, wherein:
 the fat component comprises one or more vegetable oils, one or more plant oils, or a combination thereof; and   the carbohydrate component comprises lactose and galactooligosaccharide.   
     
     
         11 . The formulation of  claim 10 , wherein the WPH comprises about 20% to about 50% of the protein component. 
     
     
         12 . The formulation of  claim 11 , wherein the WPH comprises about 26% to about 35% of the protein component. 
     
     
         13 . The formulation of  claim 10 , wherein the alpha-lactalbumin comprises about 10% to about 20% of the protein component. 
     
     
         14 . The formulation of  claim 13 , wherein the alpha-lactalbumin comprises about 14% to about 20% of the protein component. 
     
     
         15 . A formulation for oral administration comprising a protein component, wherein:
 the protein component, designating the entire amount of protein comprised by the formulation, comprises whey protein hydrolysate (WPH), alpha-lactalbumin, and lactoferrin;   the WPH and the lactoferrin are present in the formulation in a ratio of about 3:1 to about 7:1 by weight; and   the alpha-lactalbumin and the lactoferrin are present in the formulation in a ratio of about 2:1 to about 4:1 by weight.   
     
     
         16 . The formulation of  claim 15 , comprising a fat component and a carbohydrate component, wherein:
 the fat component comprises one or more vegetable oils, one or more plant oils, or a combination thereof; and   the carbohydrate component comprises lactose and galactooligosaccharide.   
     
     
         17 . The formulation of  claim 15 , comprising milk from a non-human source, wherein:
 the milk includes protein naturally occurring in the milk;   the protein component includes the entire amount of the protein naturally occurring in the milk; and   the milk is in an amount to provide about 8% to about 40% by weight of the protein component.   
     
     
         18 . The formulation of  claim 17 , wherein the milk is a non-animal milk. 
     
     
         19 . The formulation of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the WPH comprises about 26% to about 35% by weight of the protein component, the alpha-lactalbumin comprises about 14% to about 20% by weight of the protein component, and the lactoferrin comprises about 1% to about 6% by weight of the protein component; and   the milk is in an amount to provide about 25% to about 30% by weight of the protein component.   
     
     
         20 . The formulation of  claim 17 , wherein the milk is milk from a non-human mammal. 
     
     
         21 . The formulation of  claim 20 , wherein
 the WPH comprises about 26% to about 35% by weight of the protein component, the alpha-lactalbumin comprises about 14% to about 20% by weight of the protein component, and the lactoferrin comprises about 1% to about 6% by weight of the protein component; and   the milk is in an amount to provide about 25% to about 30% by weight of the protein component.   
     
     
         22 . The formulation of  claim 21 , wherein the milk is cow's milk. 
     
     
         23 . The formulation of  claim 22 , wherein the milk is whole milk. 
     
     
         24 . The formulation of  claim 22 , wherein the milk is skim milk. 
     
     
         25 . The formulation of  claim 22 , wherein the milk is reduced-fat milk or low-fat milk. 
     
     
         26 . The formulation of  claim 17 , comprising a fat component and a carbohydrate component, wherein:
 the fat component comprises one or more vegetable oils, one or more plant oils, or a combination thereof; and   the carbohydrate component comprises lactose and galactooligosaccharide.