Methods and compositions for increasing ketone bodies in animals
A method of increasing ketone bodies in an animal can comprise orally administering a composition to the animal, where the composition comprises medium-chain triglycerides in an amount of about 1% to about 15%, protein in amount of about 30% to 70%, fat in an amount of about 20% to about 40%, and carbohydrates in an amount of about 10% to about 25%. The composition can have a protein to carbohydrate ratio of at least about 2:1.
1 . A method of increasing ketone bodies in an animal, the method comprising orally administering a composition to the animal, wherein the composition comprises
medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) in an amount of about 1% to about 15% by weight of the composition,
protein in an amount of 30% to 70% by weight of the composition, and
carbohydrates in an amount of 10% to 25% by weight of the composition;
wherein the composition has a protein to carbohydrate ratio of 2:1 to 3:1 by weight,
the protein is the predominant component (w/w) of the composition excluding moisture, and
the orally administering of the composition to the animal provides an increase of the ketone bodies in the animal.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the medium-chain triglycerides are 1% to about 7.5% by weight of the composition.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein medium-chain fatty acids of the MCTs are selected from the group consisting of caprylic acid, capric acid, and a mixture thereof.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the medium-chain fatty acids are at least 25% by weight caprylic acid.
5 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the medium-chain fatty acids are at least 90% by weight caprylic acid.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the administering provides about 0.001 g to about 50.0 g of the MCTs per kg body weight of the animal per day.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the animal is a companion animal.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the companion animal is a canine.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is a complete and nutritionally balanced pet food.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the protein to carbohydrate ratio of the composition is 3:1 by weight.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises fat that comprises the MCTs, and the fat is about 20% to about 40% by weight of the composition.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises long-chain triglycerides (LCTs).
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the composition comprises fat that comprises the MCTs and the LCTs, and the fat is about 20% to about 40% by weight of the composition.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition has an amount of total carbohydrate that is greater than an amount of total fat.
15 . A composition for increasing ketone bodies in an animal, the composition comprising:
medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) in an amount of about 1% to about 15% by weight of the composition,
protein in an amount of 30% to 70% by weight of the composition, and
carbohydrates in an amount of 10% to 25% by weight of the composition;
wherein the composition has a protein to carbohydrate ratio of 2:1 to 3:1 by weight,
the protein is the predominant component (w/w) of the composition excluding moisture, and
oral administration of the composition to the animal provides an increase of the ketone bodies in the animal.
16 . The composition of claim 15 , wherein the medium-chain triglycerides are 1% to about 7.5% of the composition.
17 . The composition of claim 15 , wherein medium-chain fatty acids of the MCTs are selected from the group consisting of caprylic acid, capric acid, and a mixture thereof.
18 . The composition of claim 17 , wherein the medium-chain fatty acids are at least 25% by weight caprylic acid.
19 . The composition of claim 17 , wherein the medium-chain fatty acids are at least 90% by weight caprylic acid.
20 . The composition of claim 15 , wherein the composition is a complete and nutritionally balanced pet food.