The invention relates to methods for preparing a beverage comprising at least 2 g/L β-glucan, wherein said β-glucans have an average molecular weight in the range of 80 to 200 kDa. The methods involve mashing barley kernels comprising at least 10% β-glucans and having a ratio of DP3/DP4 in said β-glucan of at least 3 in the presence of α-amylase and endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase activity. The beverages have a viscosity providing a good mouth-feel, and at the same time they comprise β-glucans, which are able to aid in lowering LDL cholesterol levels. The beverages are generally stable and can be stored for months at room temperature without a significant decrease in β-glucan content.

The present invention relates to a biotechnological process for the production of a fermented pollen comprising the inoculation of pollen with at least one lactic bacterium of the species Lactobacillus kunkeei selected from Lactobacillus kunkeei PF12 (DSM 32843), PF13 (DSM 32845) and/or PL 13 (DSM 32844) and the fermentation of the pollen inoculated with said lactic bacterium. The fermented pollen obtained has nutritional and organoleptic properties similar to bee bread naturally produced inside the honeycomb of the beehive and finds application in the food and nutraceutical field. The invention further encompasses Lactobacillus kunkeei PF12 (DSM 32843), PF13 (DSM 32845) and/or PL 13 (DSM 32844) as such and compositions comprising these strains.

The present invention relates to a biotechnological process for the production of a fermented pollen comprising the inoculation of pollen with at least one lactic bacterium of the species Lactobacillus kunkeei selected from Lactobacillus kunkeei PF12 (DSM 32843), PF13 (DSM 32845) and/or PL 13 (DSM 32844) and the fermentation of the pollen inoculated with said lactic bacterium. The fermented pollen obtained has nutritional and organoleptic properties similar to bee bread naturally produced inside the honeycomb of the beehive and finds application in the food and nutraceutical field. The invention further encompasses Lactobacillus kunkeei PF12 (DSM 32843), PF13 (DSM 32845) and/or PL 13 (DSM 32844) as such and compositions comprising these strains.

Inorganic anions nitrate and nitrite influence metabolic rate and glucose homeostasis. Infusion of nitrite iv caused an acute drop in resting energy expenditure (oxygen consumption) and nitrate, when given perorally, caused a reduction in oxygen consumption during exercise and a depression of the increase in blood glucose observed after an oral glucose tolerance test. The doses of nitrate and nitrite did not cause any detectable change in methemoglobin levels of blood. Also, nitrate and nitrite did not alter lactate levels in blood. This discovery provides useful treatments to regulate the energy expenditure and glucose homeostasis of a mammal by administration of inorganic nitrite and/or nitrate.

Inorganic anions nitrate and nitrite influence metabolic rate and glucose homeostasis. Infusion of nitrite iv caused an acute drop in resting energy expenditure (oxygen consumption) and nitrate, when given perorally, caused a reduction in oxygen consumption during exercise and a depression of the increase in blood glucose observed after an oral glucose tolerance test. The doses of nitrate and nitrite did not cause any detectable change in methemoglobin levels of blood. Also, nitrate and nitrite did not alter lactate levels in blood. This discovery provides useful treatments to regulate the energy expenditure and glucose homeostasis of a mammal by administration of inorganic nitrite and/or nitrate.

Provided herein is technology relating to tomato extracts and particularly, but not exclusively to preparing and using tomato extracts as an anti-hypertensive agent to modulate blood pressure.

Provided herein is technology relating to tomato extracts and particularly, but not exclusively to preparing and using tomato extracts as an anti-hypertensive agent to modulate blood pressure.

In an embodiment, a nutritional supplement including, about 0.5 mg to about 4 mg of folate, about 6.25 mg to about 50 mg of vitamin B-6, about 250 mcg to about 2000 mcg of vitamin B-12, about 75 mg to about 600 mg of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), about 1250 IU to about 10,000 IU of vitamin D.sub.3, about 25 mg to about 200 mg of magnesium, about 25 mg to 200 mg of N-acetyl-L-cysteine, about 5 mg to about 40 mg pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium (PQQ), about 25 mg to about 200 mg of curcumin extract, about 25 mg to about 200 mg of resveratrol, about 25 mg to about 200 mg berberine, about 12.5 mcg to about 100 mcg of chromium, and about 12.5 mcg to about 100 mcg of selenium. In an additional embodiment, the aforementioned nutritional supplement in a nutritional kit that further includes an omega-3 supplement.

In an embodiment, a nutritional supplement including, about 0.5 mg to about 4 mg of folate, about 6.25 mg to about 50 mg of vitamin B-6, about 250 mcg to about 2000 mcg of vitamin B-12, about 75 mg to about 600 mg of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), about 1250 IU to about 10,000 IU of vitamin D.sub.3, about 25 mg to about 200 mg of magnesium, about 25 mg to 200 mg of N-acetyl-L-cysteine, about 5 mg to about 40 mg pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium (PQQ), about 25 mg to about 200 mg of curcumin extract, about 25 mg to about 200 mg of resveratrol, about 25 mg to about 200 mg berberine, about 12.5 mcg to about 100 mcg of chromium, and about 12.5 mcg to about 100 mcg of selenium. In an additional embodiment, the aforementioned nutritional supplement in a nutritional kit that further includes an omega-3 supplement.

The invention disclosed herein relates to synergistic nutritional compositions for enhancing cellular ATP efficiency. Particularly, the invention relates to a synergistic, efficient, nutritional composition for promoting cellular ATP production comprising a therapeutically active exogenous combination of a stabilized oxaloacetate and a biotin-manganese complex along with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients; wherein the stabilized oxaloacetate and the biotin-manganese or salts thereof are present in a weight ratio ranging from 1:0.01 to 1:0.2. Further, the present synergistic nutritional composition is useful for treating ATP deficiency disorders, age-related metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, bone related disorders, central nervous system diseases, cognitive disorders and like thereof.