The invention relates to a carotenoid for use in the treatment or prevention of stress induced conditions, and in particular it relates to the treatment or prevention of a disease mediated by glucocorticoid receptor activity. The invention also relates to a cosmetic method for preventing premature-aging of skin in a subject which comprises administering a carotenoid to said subject. Finally, the invention relates to a method for modulating the activity of a glucocorticoid receptor comprising contacting the receptor with a carotenoid.

The invention relates to a carotenoid for use in the treatment or prevention of stress induced conditions, and in particular it relates to the treatment or prevention of a disease mediated by glucocorticoid receptor activity. The invention also relates to a cosmetic method for preventing premature-aging of skin in a subject which comprises administering a carotenoid to said subject. Finally, the invention relates to a method for modulating the activity of a glucocorticoid receptor comprising contacting the receptor with a carotenoid.

The present invention provides food products, nutritional programs, and methods for meeting nutritional needs of subjects with dementia and related cognitive disorders. In one embodiment, the invention provides a food product comprising a reversibly sealed container and a soup, wherein the soup is in the container and comprises a total volume of 200-2000 mls, a vegetable or meat component, 300 to 2500 calories, a macronutrient caloric distribution comprising: 20-80% fat, 10-45% protein, and 10-65% carbohydrate, about 2% to about 40% medium chain triglycerides, omega 3 fatty acids in an amount of 100 to 2000 mg and less than 20 solid food particles having a volume greater than about 20 cm.sup.3. Such food products, when administered to affected subjects, can positively impact (i) nutritional status; (ii) quality of life; (iii) disease course; (v) the demand for assistance from a care giver; (vi) subject compliance with a nutritional plan using the food product, and (vii) ease of monitoring compliance by the caregiver for verification.

The present invention provides food products, nutritional programs, and methods for meeting nutritional needs of subjects with dementia and related cognitive disorders. In one embodiment, the invention provides a food product comprising a reversibly sealed container and a soup, wherein the soup is in the container and comprises a total volume of 200-2000 mls, a vegetable or meat component, 300 to 2500 calories, a macronutrient caloric distribution comprising: 20-80% fat, 10-45% protein, and 10-65% carbohydrate, about 2% to about 40% medium chain triglycerides, omega 3 fatty acids in an amount of 100 to 2000 mg and less than 20 solid food particles having a volume greater than about 20 cm.sup.3. Such food products, when administered to affected subjects, can positively impact (i) nutritional status; (ii) quality of life; (iii) disease course; (v) the demand for assistance from a care giver; (vi) subject compliance with a nutritional plan using the food product, and (vii) ease of monitoring compliance by the caregiver for verification.

The present application relates to the administration of plasma, fractions thereof, or mixtures thereof to humans or animals to treat or otherwise improve cognitive impairment disorders, including dementia (e.g., vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, dementia resulting from Alzheimer's disease, dementia resulting from Parkinson's disease, frontotemporal dementia, and dementia resulting from normal pressure hydrocephalus in humans, and cognitive dysfunction syndrome in companion animals), concussion, and traumatic brain injury. In certain embodiments, the invention comprises a method of treating a cognitive impairment disorder in a human or companion animal subject, said method comprising: administering to said subject one or more cognitive functioning tests to identify a subject suffering from a cognitive impairment disorder; and administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of an animal plasma composition; wherein said administration provides an improvement in said subject's results in said one or more cognitive impairment tests.

The present application relates to the administration of plasma, fractions thereof, or mixtures thereof to humans or animals to treat or otherwise improve cognitive impairment disorders, including dementia (e.g., vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, dementia resulting from Alzheimer's disease, dementia resulting from Parkinson's disease, frontotemporal dementia, and dementia resulting from normal pressure hydrocephalus in humans, and cognitive dysfunction syndrome in companion animals), concussion, and traumatic brain injury. In certain embodiments, the invention comprises a method of treating a cognitive impairment disorder in a human or companion animal subject, said method comprising: administering to said subject one or more cognitive functioning tests to identify a subject suffering from a cognitive impairment disorder; and administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of an animal plasma composition; wherein said administration provides an improvement in said subject's results in said one or more cognitive impairment tests.

A composition, which comprises at least one of an AP-32 strain of Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salicinius, a BLI-02 strain of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis and fermentation metabolites thereof, has a physiological activity of elevating ability of brain tissue. The present invention may be used in form of a food composition or a pharmaceutical composition to elevate the ability of brain tissue.

A composition, which comprises at least one of an AP-32 strain of Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salicinius, a BLI-02 strain of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis and fermentation metabolites thereof, has a physiological activity of elevating ability of brain tissue. The present invention may be used in form of a food composition or a pharmaceutical composition to elevate the ability of brain tissue.

Provided are an Agathobaculum sp. strain having prophylactic or therapeutic effects on degenerative brain diseases, and use thereof. Since the intestinal microorganism Agathobaculum butyriciproducens SR79 strain of the present invention may have effects of inhibiting neuroinflammation and effects of improving movement regulation and cognitive and memory functions in animal models with degenerative brain diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, the strain may be effectively used in foods, medicines, or feeds for preventing or treating brain diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, mild cognitive impairment, etc., and therefore, it is very useful in the relevant industries.

Provided are an Agathobaculum sp. strain having prophylactic or therapeutic effects on degenerative brain diseases, and use thereof. Since the intestinal microorganism Agathobaculum butyriciproducens SR79 strain of the present invention may have effects of inhibiting neuroinflammation and effects of improving movement regulation and cognitive and memory functions in animal models with degenerative brain diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, the strain may be effectively used in foods, medicines, or feeds for preventing or treating brain diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, mild cognitive impairment, etc., and therefore, it is very useful in the relevant industries.