Composition comprising cinnamaldehyde and zinc to improve swallowing

Abstract

Compositions comprise an amount of cinnamaldehyde that is orally tolerable, thus avoiding an unpleasant mouth feeling, and also tolerable in the gastrointestinal tract. The amount of cinnamaldehyde is supplemented by zinc, and the combination is effective to promote a swallowing reflex. The composition comprising the combination of cinnamaldehyde and zinc can be used in a method to treat dysphagia and/or prevent aspiration pneumonia from dysphagia. In an embodiment, the composition comprising cinnamaldehydeis administered to a human. The composition comprising cinnamaldehyde may be a medicament, a food product or a supplement to a food product.

Description

Background technique [0001] The present disclosure generally relates to methods and compositions for improving the swallowing reflex. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to improving the swallow reflex by administering cinnamaldehyde and zinc in amounts that provide minimal flavor impact. [0002] Dysphagia is a condition characterized by a reduced ability to swallow. Normal swallowing consists of three distinct phases that are interdependent and well coordinated, namely the oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal phases. In the voluntary controlled oral phase, food that is chewed and mixed with saliva forms a bolus, which is delivered by voluntary tongue movements to the back of the mouth and into the pharynx. The pharyngeal phase is involuntary and is triggered by a food bolus passing through the pharyngeal arches into the pharynx. The three pharyngeal constrictors contract to push the food bolus toward the upper esophageal sphincter. At the same time, the soft pa...

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Problems solved by technology

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