Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Designated organic active ingredient containing – Carbohydrate doai
Reissue Patent
1998-07-09
2001-01-16
Nutter, Nathan M. (Department: 1711)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Designated organic active ingredient containing
Carbohydrate doai
C514S167000, C514S251000, C514S458000, C514S474000, C514S602000, C514S641000, C514S702000, C514S725000, C514S773000, C514S775000, C514S776000, C514S777000, C514S780000, C514S782000, C514S904000, C514S905000, C426S607000, C426S608000
Reissue Patent
active
RE037020
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the treatment and nutritional support of patients. More specifically, the present invention relates to providing nutrition to elderly patients.
Americans greater than 65 years old were, at the turn of the century, 4% of the population; currently, they are greater than 12% of the population. Though only 12% of our population, the elderly account for greater than 40% of our acute hospital bed days, buy greater than 30% of all prescription drugs and spend 30% of our greater than 600 billion dollar health budget. Still further, it is estimated that in 2030, greater than 70 million Americans (1:5) will be over the age of 65, and the “over 85's” are expected to experience the highest percentage increase of all. The Merck manual, 16th edition, p. 2540.
As the average age of the population increases, obtaining a better understanding of the unique aspects of aging in relation to nutritional needs and treatment is imperative. Many physiologic functions decline progressively throughout adult life and have an impact on nutrition. For instance, a reduction in the number of functioning cells and the resultant slowing of metabolic processes results in a decrease in caloric requirements among the elderly. Also, the reduction in physical activity that generally accompanies aging further decreases energy requirements.
Merely decreasing the total caloric intake of an elderly patient may adversely affect the required nutrition of the patient. When the total caloric intake is reduced, the remaining food intake must carefully insure a properly balanced intake of proteins, vitamins and minerals. To reduce caloric intake in the elderly, consumption of “empty” calories (i.e. fats) must be reduced and consumption of nutrient-dense foods (i.e. carbohydrates and proteins) must be increased.
While the nutritional needs of the mature adult patient differ from adult patients, in the health care settings, standard nutritional formulas are the primary form of elemental nutrition currently being used for the elderly. Naturally, standard formulas do not take into effect the known nutritional needs of the elderly patients. These standard nutritional products must be supplemented with key micronutrients to compensate for common deficiencies and metabolic changes of the elderly patient. Moreover, since the elderly have a diminished capacity to manage a fluid load, standard formulas must be modified to produce a calorically dense formulation that will provide increased energy and nutrition with a minimum amount of fluid.
Therefore, a need exists for a nutritional formula designed to meet the nutritional needs of elderly patients.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a nutritional composition designed for elderly patients. More specifically, the present invention provides a method for providing nutrition to an elderly patient.
In an embodiment, the method of the present invention includes the steps of administering to the patient an effective amount of a composition including a protein source making up at least 18% of the calorie distribution of the composition; a carbohydrate source; and a lipid source including a mixture of medium and long chain triglycerides.
In an embodiment, the composition provides at least 100% of the USRDA of vitamins and minerals.
In the embodiment, the composition includes a source of dietary fiber having a soluble fiber to insoluble fiber ratio of approximately 4:1 to 1:4. Preferably, the soluble fiber constitutes approximately 30% of the dietary fiber source.
In an embodiment, the composition includes increased levels of key vitamins and minerals found to be deficient in the institutionalized elderly. Specifically, the composition includes increased levels of vitamin C, zinc, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin A, folic acid, vitamin B
6
, vitamin B
12
, thiamine, riboflavin, calcium and selenium.
In an embodiment, the composition further includes an omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio of approximately 4:1 to 10:1.
In another embodiment, the method of the present invention includes the step of administering to the patient an effective amount of a composition including a protein source, a carbohydrate source including a source of dietary fiber having a soluble fiber to insoluble fiber ratio of about 4:1 to 1:4 and a lipid source including a mixture of medium and long chain triglycerides.
Still further, in another embodiment, the method of the present invention includes the step of administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the composition comprising a protein source, a carbohydrate source, a lipid source including a mixture of medium and long chain triglycerides, and a vitamin and mineral source including key vitamin and minerals found to be deficient in the institutionalized elderly. Specifically, the composition includes the following vitamins and minerals and their respective amounts: vitamin C containing from about 120 to 300 mg/L; zinc containing from about 15 to 30 mg/L; vitamin D containing from about 400 to 800 mg/L; vitamin E containing from about 60 to 180 mg/L; vitamin A containing from about 3000 to 6000 IU/L; folic acid containing from about 400 to 1600 &mgr;g/L; vitamin B
6
containing from about 2 to 8 mg/L; vitamin B
12
containing from about 6 to 8 &mgr;g/L; thiamine containing from about 1.5 to 3 mg/L; riboflavin containing from about 1.7 to 3.5 mg/L; calcium containing from about 800 to 1600 mg/L and selenium containing from about 50 to 150 &mgr;g/L.
An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a nutritional composition that is ready-to-use, nutritionally complete, and contains proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and vitamins and minerals in proportions appropriate for elderly patients.
Moreover, an advantage of the present invention is that it provides a nutritional diet for tube and oral use designed for optimal tolerance and absorption in elderly patients.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a composition containing higher levels of key micronutrients to compensate for common deficiencies and metabolic changes in elderly when compared with standard formulas.
Furthermore, an advantage of the present invention is that it eliminates the need for vitamin supplementation and meets regulatory requirements of the elderly.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it includes an ideal fiber balance to promote good bowel function in aging patients. More specifically, the ideal fiber level of the present invention avoids constipation and prevents impaction.
Still another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a composition with increased protein levels to account for the increased needs often found in the institutionalized elderly. The composition of the present invention addresses the increased repletion requirements for protein-energy malnutrition in the older patient.
Moreover, an advantage of the present invention is that it provides a calorically dense formulation that allows for increased energy and nutrition with a minimal amount of fluid. Uniquely, the composition of the present invention meets or exceeds U.S. RDA for vitamin and minerals in one liter. As a result, the composition of the present invention is appropriate for fluid-restricted patients and is designed to accommodate slower gastric emptying, which may be seen in the elderly.
Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments.
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patent: 4619829 (1986-10-01), Motschan
patent: 5085883 (1992-02-01), Garleb et al.
patent: 5104677 (1992-04-01), Behr et al.
patent: 5221668 (1993-06-01), Henningfield et al.
patent: 0614616A3 (1994-09-01), None
patent: WO88/01861 (1988-03-01), None
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Sandoz Nutrition Brochure for Fibersource HN, 1992.
Sandoz Nutrition Brochure for Impact with Fiber, 1992.
Carnation NutriVent Brochure, 1991.
Clintec Enteral
Chang Shen-Youn
Kruzel Chris
Lin Paul M.
Hill & Simpson
Nestec Ltd.
Nutter Nathan M.
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