Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
[0005] The present invention encompasses compositions and methods for the prevention and treatment of age-related conditions in companion animals in need thereof.
[0006] The methods for treating or preventing an age-related condition in an animal in need thereof, comprise administering to the animal an effective amount of a composition comprising at least one of a protein source, a carbohydrate source, and a vegetable source, or a combination of two or more thereof. In this method, the protein source is selected from the group consisting of chicken, "pea protein concentrate," corn gluten meal, and combinations thereof; the carbohydrate source is selected from the group consisting of brown rice, oat groats, and combinations thereof, and the vegetable source is selected from the group consisting of beet pulp, tomato pomace, broccoli powder, and combinations thereof.
[0007] In one embodiment of the method, the age-related condition is one of inappropriate immune response and/or inflammation, gastrointestinal disease, defective and/or suboptimal digestive function, increased body fat, decreased lean body mass, decreased kidney health oxidative damage, or a combination of two or more thereof.
[0008] In another embodiment, the animal is a companion animal. In one aspect of this embodiment, the companion animal is a canine, while in another, the companion animal is a feline.