FOOD SUPPLEMENT
The present invention relates to the use of leucine, isoleucine and valine in the manufacture of a food supplement for improving the cognitive ability of a companion animal, a pet food supplement comprising leucine, isoleucine and valine and a method of improving the cognitive ability of an animal especially a companion animal.
1 .- 16 . (canceled)
17 . A method for improving the cognitive ability of a companion animal comprising:
administering to a companion animal a pet food supplement comprising leucine, isoleucine, and valine.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the food supplement is a powder, biscuit, snack bar, sweet product, treat, kibble, sauce, toping, pocket or tablet.
19 . A pet food supplement comprising:
leucine, isoleucine, and valine;
wherein the pet food supplement is a powder, biscuit, snack bar, sweet product, treat, kibble, sauce, topping, pocket or tablet; and
wherein the pet food supplement improves or sustains the cognitive ability of a companion animal.
20 . The pet food supplement of claim 19 , wherein the leucine, isoleucine, and valine are provided as free amino acids, a peptide rich in one or more of the leucine, isoleucine, and valine, or a leucine, isoleucine, and valine rich extracts.
21 . The pet food supplement of claim 19 , wherein the food supplement is suitable for a dog.
22 . The pet food supplement of claim 19 , wherein the food supplement is suitable for a senior dog.
23 . The pet food supplement of claim 19 , wherein the food supplement improves and/or sustains mental and physical performance.
24 . The pet food supplement of claim 19 , further comprising a meat or animal derived material, a meat substitute, a supplemental protein source, a starch, or a combination thereof.
25 . The pet food supplement of claim 24 , wherein the meat or animal derived material is beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, fish, blood plasma, bone marrow, or a combination thereof.
26 . The pet food supplement of claim 24 , wherein the meat substitute is soya, maize gluten, or a soya product.
27 . The pet food supplement of claim 24 , wherein the supplemental protein source is soya protein concentrate, milk protein, gluten, or a combination thereof.
28 . The pet food supplement of claim 24 , wherein the starch is corn, rice, oats, barley, or a combination thereof.
29 . The pet food supplement of claim 24 , wherein the starch is gelatinized.
30 . The pet food supplement of claim 17 , wherein the food supplement is cooked.
31 . The pet food supplement of claim 17 , wherein at least about 80% of the key nutrients of the pet food supplement are digestible.
32 . A method of manufacturing a pet food supplement comprising:
combining leucine, isoleucine, and valine with a component of a food supplement.
33 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the leucine, isoleucine, and valine are combined with the component of the food supplement prior to cooking.
34 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the leucine, isoleucine, and valine are combined with the food component in an extruder to form a pellet or kibble.
35 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the leucine, isoleucine, and valine are provided as free amino acids, a peptide rich in one or more of the leucine, isoleucine, and valine, or a leucine, isoleucine, and valine rich extract.
36 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the food component is a meat or animal derived material, a meat substitute, a supplemental protein source, a starch, or a combination thereof.