Fatty Acid Nutritional Supplement
A seven-carbon fatty acid or derivative thereof has been identified as an excellent energy source for humans or human infants. A nutritional supplement suitable for humans or human infants comprising a seven carbon fatty acid chain compound or derivative thereof can be used to increase energy production derived from fatty acid metabolism. For example, administering a seven carbon fatty acid chain compound or derivative thereof can be used to accelerate the growth rate of a prematurely born human infant.
1 . A method of accelerating the growth rate of a prematurely-born human infant by administering to said infant a seven carbon fatty acid compound or derivative thereof, wherein said compound or derivative thereof is able to readily enter the mitochondrion without special transport enzymes.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said seven carbon fatty acid compound comprises n-heptoanoic acid.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said seven carbon fatty acid compound comprises a triglyceride comprising n-heptanoic acid.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein said triglyceride comprises triheptanoin.
5 . The method of claim 1 wherein said derivative is a five carbon fatty acid chain.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said derivative is selected from the group consisting of 4-methylhexanoate, 4-methylhexenoate, 3-hydroxy-4-methylhexanoate, 5methylhexanoate, 5-methylhexenoate and 3-hydroxy-5-methylhexanoate.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said compound or derivative thereof is capable of being broken down by normal J3-oxidation in humans to methylbutyric acid.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said compound or derivative thereof is capable of being broken down by normal J3-oxidation in humans to isovaleric acid.
9 . The method claim 1 , wherein said compound or derivative is capable of being broken down by normal J3-oxidation in humans to n-valeryl-CoA.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said compound or derivative is capable of being broken down by normal J3-oxidation in humans to propionyl-CoA in one or more oxidative procedures.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said compound or derivative thereof is provided to said human infant in an amount comprising at least about 25% of the dietary caloric requirement for said infant.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said compound or derivative is provided orally.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said compound or derivative is provided parenterally.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said compound or derivative is provided intraperitoneally.