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Novel Therapeutic Dietary Supplement

Ref: 13288
Phospholipids isolated from dairy milk have been shown to have therapeutic properties by having the ability to reduce serum and liver lipid levels.

Key advantages
  • Natural component of milk with health-promoting properties
  • Phospholipid extract to be supplied in capsule form as a therapeutic supplement (i.e., a nutraceutical)
  • Extract to be provided as a food additive (functional food ingredient) to promote hepatic and cardiovascular health

Background

Fatty liver disease is a common disorder found in individuals at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, i.e. patients with metabolic syndrome, central obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and/or hyperlipidemia.

The incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in adults and children is rising at an alarming rate due to worldwide epidemics of obesity and type 2 diabetes in industrialized/affluent countries.

Overeating and inactivity results in insulin resistance, which now has an incidence approaching 45% in the general population. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is present in 20%-30% of the adult population, and in as many as 70% of type 2 diabetic patients, in whom it is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

It is estimated that up to 40% of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease have histological evidence of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, which has the potential to progress to cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease. There is clearly a need to find new ways to prevent and treat this significant disease.

The invention

The invention provides evidence that a phospholipid-rich extract from dairy milk has the ability to reduce hepatomegaly (enlarged liver), decrease hepatic steatosis (fatty liver) and reduce hyperlipidemia (increased plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels).

The invention provides a natural food extract that has the potential to treat or prevent disease in overweight individuals with fatty liver disease.

Applications

The invention provides evidence that a phospholipid-rich extract from dairy milk has the ability to reduce hepatomegaly (enlarged liver), decrease hepatic steatosis (fatty liver) and reduce hyperlipidemia (increased plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels). The invention provides a natural food extract that has the potential to treat or prevent disease in overweight individuals with fatty liver disease.

Principal inventors

  • Jeffrey Cohn

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