Method of improving the antioxidant status of an infant

• US 7,090,862 B2
• Filed: 03/29/2002
• Issued: 08/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abbott Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Abbott Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Barrett-Reis, Bridget, Masor, Marc L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hartley, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fubara, Blessinf
• Application Number:
  US10/112,823
• Publication Number:
  US 20030104078A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,600 Days
• Field of Search: 424/400, 424/439, 424/441, 424/451, 424/464, 424/484, 424/489, 424/499
• US Class Current: 424/439
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 33/15 Vitamins
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 33/40 Complete food formulations for specific consumer groups or specific purposes, e.g. infant formula
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2002/00 Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/712 Vitamin E
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2300/00 Mixtures or combinations of active ingredients, wherein at least one active ingredient is fully defined in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/355 Tocopherols, e.g. vitamin E
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 36/185 Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons)
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 36/28 Asteraceae or Compositae (Aster or Sunflower family), e.g. chamomile, feverfew, yarrow or echinacea
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 36/286 Carthamus (distaff thistle)
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 36/31 Brassicaceae or Cruciferae (Mustard family), e.g. broccoli, cabbage or kohlrabi
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 36/48 Fabaceae or Leguminosae (Pea or Legume family); Caesalpiniaceae; Mimosaceae; Papilionaceae
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 36/52 Juglandaceae (Walnut family)
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 36/889 Arecaceae, Palmae or Palmaceae (Palm family), e.g. date or coconut palm or palmetto
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 36/899 Poaceae or Gramineae (Grass family), e.g. bamboo, corn or sugar cane

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a method of improving the antioxidant status of an infant. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of improving the antioxidant status of an infant by administering a mixture of natural tocopherols. The natural tocopherol mixture is an effective blend of α- and γ-tocopherol. For ease of administration and improved taste, the mixture of natural tocopherols are typically delivered in vehicle which may be in the form, for example, of a tablet, capsule, liquid, and nutritional formula. The present invention also relates to a method of improving the antioxidant status of an infant by supplementing the lactating woman wherein the supplemented breast milk is fed to the infant. Additionally, the present invention relates to a method of improving the antioxidant status of a newborn infant by supplementing the pregnant woman.

Claims

1. A method of improving the antioxidant status of an infant, said method comprising the steps of

(A) preparing an infant formula comprising fat, protein, carbohydrate, minerals, and natural tocopherols, said fat including oils comprising RRR-γ

-tocopherol and RRR-α

-tocopherol;

(B) adding to the prepared formula additional tocopherols consisting essentially of isolated RRR-γ

-tocopherol, isolated RRR-α

-tocopherol, or both, to achieve a weight ratio of RRR-γ

-tocopherol to RRR-α

-tocopherol in the infant formula of from 1;

1.6 to about 6;

1, and

(C) administering the formula to an infant.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the infant formula comprises:

(A) from about 6% to about 25% protein as a percentage of total calories,

(B) from about 35% to about 50% carbohydrate as a percentage of total calories,

(c) from about 30% to about 50% lipid as a percentage of total calories.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the weight ratio of RRR-γ

-tocopherol to RRR-α

-tocopherol ranges from about 1;

1.4 to about 2;

1.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the infant formula is administered to a preterm infant.