A method of improving at least one of the following in an individual: lean mass, muscle strength, cognition, systemic inflammation levels, blood cholesterol levels, blood triglyceride levels and glucose tolerance is provided, comprising administering to the individual a multi-nutrient composition a protein, creatine, vitamin D, calcium and an n-3 fatty acid.

Methods for quality control and optimizing the formation and characterization of micelles, vesicles or other aggregates are described herein. Pharmaceutically relevant peptides may be modified to form glycopeptide surfactants which form micelles or other aggregates with another surfactant. Glycopeptide and glycolipid surfactants can aggregate to form particles that enhance drug delivery. The glycopeptide surfactants may be drugs or pro-drugs which are delivered via the micelles or other aggregated structures.

An infant formula for preventing gastro-esophageal reflux is disclosed comprising whey protein and/or casein, a galactomannan thickener, and a fermented milk-derived product.

An affordable, palatable, maintainable and clinically-useful UC diet, characterized by a low content of sulfur, heme animal-based protein, taurine, animal-saturated fat.

An affordable, palatable, maintainable and clinically-useful UC diet, characterized by a low content of sulfur, heme animal-based protein, taurine, animal-saturated fat.

Provided are dietary supplement composition comprising one or both of L-theanine and a trace mineral complex, optionally in combination with bioactive peptides, in an amount or amounts individually or in combination effective to promote gut health. Further optional components include a fiber oligosaccharide prebiotic, a polyphenol prebiotic, and a polynucleotide or blend. Examples of benefits include one or more of: —an increase in the amount of total short-chain fatty acid production or of at least one of propionate, acetate and butyrate; —an increase the expression or level of at least one tight junction protein (for example, claudin-1, claudin-3, claudin-4, occludin, or a zona occludens protein) or mucin-3 or decrease the expression or level of claudin-2; —an increase in transepithelial electrical resistance; —an increase in the abundance or diversity of a member or phylum of the intestinal bacterial community of the Intestinal lumen or mucus area (for example, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Lactobacilli, Bifidobacteria, F. prausnitzii, or A. muciniphila); —an increase in the expression or level of at least one intestinal surface area marker protein (for example, villin, myosin, cadherin or sucrase-isomaltase). Methods for using such supplements are also disclosed.

Provided are dietary supplement composition comprising one or both of L-theanine and a trace mineral complex, optionally in combination with bioactive peptides, in an amount or amounts individually or in combination effective to promote gut health. Further optional components include a fiber oligosaccharide prebiotic, a polyphenol prebiotic, and a polynucleotide or blend. Examples of benefits include one or more of: —an increase in the amount of total short-chain fatty acid production or of at least one of propionate, acetate and butyrate; —an increase the expression or level of at least one tight junction protein (for example, claudin-1, claudin-3, claudin-4, occludin, or a zona occludens protein) or mucin-3 or decrease the expression or level of claudin-2; —an increase in transepithelial electrical resistance; —an increase in the abundance or diversity of a member or phylum of the intestinal bacterial community of the Intestinal lumen or mucus area (for example, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Lactobacilli, Bifidobacteria, F. prausnitzii, or A. muciniphila); —an increase in the expression or level of at least one intestinal surface area marker protein (for example, villin, myosin, cadherin or sucrase-isomaltase). Methods for using such supplements are also disclosed.

An anxiolytic composition formulated for oral administration to a mammal includes a synergistic combination of L-theanine, at least one of magnolia and an extract of magnolia, and at least one of phellodendron and an extract of phellodendron. The composition may include a combination of an extract of Magnolia officinalis and a extract of Phellodendron amurense. The synergistic combination may provide an anxiolytic change in a release pattern of one or more brain neurotransmitters, such as glutamate and/or γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

An anxiolytic composition formulated for oral administration to a mammal includes a synergistic combination of L-theanine, at least one of magnolia and an extract of magnolia, and at least one of phellodendron and an extract of phellodendron. The composition may include a combination of an extract of Magnolia officinalis and a extract of Phellodendron amurense. The synergistic combination may provide an anxiolytic change in a release pattern of one or more brain neurotransmitters, such as glutamate and/or γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

Provided is a technique that allows for the promotion of energy expenditure. The present invention is a composition for promoting energy expenditure, including, as an active ingredient, a milk protein hydrolysate having an average molecular weight of 220 Daltons or more and 1,000 Daltons or less, a peptide having only Met-Lys-Pro, or a peptide including the amino acid sequence.