The present invention provides a sirtuin activator with an active component composed of black ginger or a black ginger extract, which is easily obtainable, extremely safe, and eaten from old. The present invention further provides a sirtuin activator with an active component of polyalkoxyflavonoid compound represented by general formula (I) and having a sirtuin activation effect that is 10 folds that of resveratrol or higher: ##STR00001## wherein, R.sub.1 to R.sub.7 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, or a C1 to C6 lower alkoxy group.

Curcumin compositions herein are described for improving muscle performance, endurance capacity and resistance to fatigue, when administered in effective amounts to a subject in need of such improvement. The compositions are comprised of curcumin and at least one pharmaceutically and/or nutraceutically acceptable excipient such as a hydrophilic carrier and exhibit enhanced bioavailability. More particularly methods are described and include use of curcumin compositions to increase exercise time, performance and capacity and to prevent muscle soreness, fatigue and injury. The compositions enhance mitochondrial biogenesis by modulating mitochondrial function, increasing mitochondrial mass and oxygen consumption, thus increasing mitochondrial aerobic capacity. The compositions reduce oxidative muscle stress, by decreasing inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory markers. Curcumin compositions are safe for consumption for pharmaceutical and/or nutraceutical purposes and are prepared by economic methods using conventional equipments and can be effectively used for enhancing muscle and exercise performance.

Curcumin compositions herein are described for improving muscle performance, endurance capacity and resistance to fatigue, when administered in effective amounts to a subject in need of such improvement. The compositions are comprised of curcumin and at least one pharmaceutically and/or nutraceutically acceptable excipient such as a hydrophilic carrier and exhibit enhanced bioavailability. More particularly methods are described and include use of curcumin compositions to increase exercise time, performance and capacity and to prevent muscle soreness, fatigue and injury. The compositions enhance mitochondrial biogenesis by modulating mitochondrial function, increasing mitochondrial mass and oxygen consumption, thus increasing mitochondrial aerobic capacity. The compositions reduce oxidative muscle stress, by decreasing inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory markers. Curcumin compositions are safe for consumption for pharmaceutical and/or nutraceutical purposes and are prepared by economic methods using conventional equipments and can be effectively used for enhancing muscle and exercise performance.

The present invention relates to nutritional compositions containing balanced amount of substance having anti-inflammatory activity, as curcumin, and substance having carminative and spasmolytic activities, as essential plant oil, for the treatment and/or prevention of functional gastrointestinal disorders.

The present invention relates to nutritional compositions containing balanced amount of substance having anti-inflammatory activity, as curcumin, and substance having carminative and spasmolytic activities, as essential plant oil, for the treatment and/or prevention of functional gastrointestinal disorders.

A stabilized composition of fat soluble nutrient(s) includes a water soluble polymer and at least one nutraceutically acceptable excipient. The composition can be in the form of significantly amorphous aqueous microparticulate mixtures or as a solid beadlet product. A process for preparation of a stabilized composition includes a fat soluble nutrient solubilized in an organic solvent embedded in an aqueous polymer phase by evaporation, so as to obtain an aqueous microparticulate mixture. This mixture is stable, soluble and can be formulated for end use or can be layered on inert core for example to obtain stable beadlet(s) for use in solid dosage forms. Such stabilized aqueous microparticulate and solid beadlet compositions exhibit good solubility and dispersibility. Stabilized compositions of fat soluble nutrients can be prepared using industrially convenient equipment and can be formulated as per requirement for use in health applications.

Compositions may be used for a variety of therapeutic applications, including treating and/or preventing a disease or disorder related to reduced or inadequate mitochondrial activity, such as aging or stress, diabetes, obesity, and neurodegenerative diseases. The compositions can be administered to an older adult or an elderly individual. It can also be administered to a patient in ICU. The compositions contain a combination of curcumin and an omega-3 fatty acid. The compositions can be food products, nutritional supplements or nutraceutical. The compositions can also be used advantageously in generally healthy individuals to increase or maintain metabolic rate, decrease percent body fat, increase or maintain muscle mass, manage body weight, improve or maintain mental performance (including memory), improve or maintain muscle performance, improve or maintain mood, and manage stress.

Compositions may be used for a variety of therapeutic applications, including treating and/or preventing a disease or disorder related to reduced or inadequate mitochondrial activity, such as aging or stress, diabetes, obesity, and neurodegenerative diseases. The compositions can be administered to an older adult or an elderly individual. It can also be administered to a patient in ICU. The compositions contain a combination of curcumin and an omega-3 fatty acid. The compositions can be food products, nutritional supplements or nutraceutical. The compositions can also be used advantageously in generally healthy individuals to increase or maintain metabolic rate, decrease percent body fat, increase or maintain muscle mass, manage body weight, improve or maintain mental performance (including memory), improve or maintain muscle performance, improve or maintain mood, and manage stress.

The invention encompasses compositions and methods for effectively treating and/or preventing diabetes and/or obesity. This is accomplished by totally addressing the multiple mechanisms that lead to such conditions. The invention includes compositions comprising a combination of agents that effectively suppress, regulate or interfere with the various biochemical processes and mechanisms that lead to diabetes and obesity. The inventive compositions used for administration to human and other mammalian subjects comprise (1) at least one agent capable of modulating expression and/or activity of one or more of peroxisome activated protein receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), CAAT/enhancer binding protein-α (C/EBPα) and Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Protein (SREBP-1); (2) at least one agent capable of activating Wnt/β-catenin pathway; (3) at least one agent capable of activating the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway; (4) at least one agent that inhibits the activity of pro-oxidants including reactive nitrogen species and reactive oxygen species (ROS); (5) at least one agent that suppresses one or more of inflammatory mediators including interleukins IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB, TNF-α, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2); (6) at least one agent capable of enhancing glucose transporter (GLUT4) and/or inhibiting glucose transporter GLUT2; (7) at least one agent that induces the expression of and/or activates adiponectin and (8) at least one agent that induces the expression of and/or activates sirtuin (SIRT1). The active agents for use herein are natural materials such as phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals. Compositions with combinations of such natural agents have the ability to prevent, reduce or treat diabetes and obesity by (a) clearing glucose and fatty acids from blood, (b) reducing the number of adipose cells and fat storage, (c) interfering with fat, glucose, and cholesterol biosynthesis, and (d) promoting fat and glucose oxidation. Since the present compositions are aimed toward normalizing metabolism and energy expenditure and managing oxidative stress and inflammation, they are also beneficial in relation to physical activity, in particular performance, endurance, fatigue and recovery during intensive and continuous exercise/exertion.

The invention encompasses compositions and methods for effectively treating and/or preventing diabetes and/or obesity. This is accomplished by totally addressing the multiple mechanisms that lead to such conditions. The invention includes compositions comprising a combination of agents that effectively suppress, regulate or interfere with the various biochemical processes and mechanisms that lead to diabetes and obesity. The inventive compositions used for administration to human and other mammalian subjects comprise (1) at least one agent capable of modulating expression and/or activity of one or more of peroxisome activated protein receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), CAAT/enhancer binding protein-α (C/EBPα) and Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Protein (SREBP-1); (2) at least one agent capable of activating Wnt/β-catenin pathway; (3) at least one agent capable of activating the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway; (4) at least one agent that inhibits the activity of pro-oxidants including reactive nitrogen species and reactive oxygen species (ROS); (5) at least one agent that suppresses one or more of inflammatory mediators including interleukins IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB, TNF-α, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2); (6) at least one agent capable of enhancing glucose transporter (GLUT4) and/or inhibiting glucose transporter GLUT2; (7) at least one agent that induces the expression of and/or activates adiponectin and (8) at least one agent that induces the expression of and/or activates sirtuin (SIRT1). The active agents for use herein are natural materials such as phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals. Compositions with combinations of such natural agents have the ability to prevent, reduce or treat diabetes and obesity by (a) clearing glucose and fatty acids from blood, (b) reducing the number of adipose cells and fat storage, (c) interfering with fat, glucose, and cholesterol biosynthesis, and (d) promoting fat and glucose oxidation. Since the present compositions are aimed toward normalizing metabolism and energy expenditure and managing oxidative stress and inflammation, they are also beneficial in relation to physical activity, in particular performance, endurance, fatigue and recovery during intensive and continuous exercise/exertion.