University of Minnesota

- Humanetics Corporation

Daniel D Gallaher

Frederic A Graves

Craig A Hassel

Laura Freiburger

Kyung-Jae Lee

The invention provides methods and compositions for reducing the percentage of body fat in a mammal and/or the level of leptin in the bloodstream of the mammal. Such methods involve administering to the mammal a diet containing viscous polysaccharides.

Methods to reduce body fat

A method for reducing the cholesterol level in mammalian blood by administering a water soluble cellulose ether thereto. The cellulose ethers have a viscosity, measured as a 2% aqueous solution at 20.degree. C., of at least about 35 cps. Oral administration is preferred, and, in one embodiment the high viscosity water soluble cellulose ether is hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, contained in a nutritious foodstuff.

Lowering blood cholesterol levels using water soluble cellulose ethers

A carotenoid-enriched fraction is extracted from natural sources, such as carrots, by (i) separating the carotenoid-containing natural source into a carotenoid-containing liquid fraction and a pulp fraction, (ii) adding a carotenoid precipitation agent including calcium chloride, calcium hydroxide, calcium lactate or calcium gluconate to the liquid fraction to form a carotenoid-enriched solid precipitate, and (iii) separating the carotenoid-enriched solid precipitate from the carotenoid-depleted liquid portion.

Growing community of inventors

Roseville, MN, United States of America

Daniel D Gallaher