Methods for reducing morbidity

Abstract

Various compositions containing transfer factor in combination with nutraceuticals are provided including transfer factor in combination with zinc and essential fatty acids and transfer factor in combination with lactic acid generating bacteria. Also provided are methods for treating animal diseases and syndromes using these compositions.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09 / 847,036, filed Apr. 30, 2001.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to compositions of transfer factor in combination with specific nutraceuticals and to the use of these compositions in treating diseases and syndromes. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Transfer factor which is produced by leucocytes and lymphocytes are small water soluble polypeptides of about eight amino acids and also associated cofactors that stimulate or transfer cell mediated immunity from one individual to another and across species. Since transfer factors are smaller than antibodies, they do not transfer antibody mediated responses nor do they induce antibody production. The properties, characteristics and processes for obtaining transfer factor or transfer factors are discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,816,563; 5,080,895; 5,840,700 and 5,883,224, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference i...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"This patent describes a formulation of transfer factor, zinc, and essential fatty acids for treating various diseases in animals. The formulation can be administered orally and can help decrease the symptoms of disease or lower the general morbidity of the animals. The formulation can also include other nutraceuticals such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and yeast. The patent also describes a method of treating inflammation and ulcers in animals by administering the formulation. Overall, this invention provides a natural and effective way to treat various ailments in animals."

Problems solved by technology

However, the use of nutraceuticals, such as vitamins, minerals and other nutritional components to prevent and treat diseases other than those caused by the deficiency of those nutraceuticals, though still controversial, is receiving more consideration from both laymen and physicians.

However, exact dietary requirements are uncertain

Pantothenic Acid—is considered essential for growth and well being of animals; deficiency results in growth retardation, skin lesions and graying of hair

Iron—is required for formation of hemoglobin; deficiency results in anemia

Unfortunately, such medicines often have serious side effects such as nausea, gastritis, diarrhea, maladsorption of vitamins, circulation and respiratory problems and allergic reactions.

However, in oral form Parlodel has poor absorption and the intra molecular injectible form which needs to be given twice a day is impractical.

However, both of these drugs can be extremely toxic and often cause allergic reactions.

Use of cortisone can also cause a depressed immune response, demineralization and eroding of the sensitive lamina of the hoof wall.

There are approximately 30,000 racing pigeons this disease can affect and known treatments are not very effective.

PURRS (porcine upper respiratory and reproductive disease in swine) disease is the most devastating problem in the swine industry costing the industry millions in loss, from morbidity, mortality, and infertility in swine.

However, these treatments are costly.

Livestock, especially horses and cows, often suffer from ulcers, including stomach ulcers and ulcerations and inflammation of the joints.

Also, the use of antibiotics to treat animals especially livestock food source animals often results in resistance to those antibiotics which is becoming a serious health problem with respect to all animals including humans.

In horses with laminitis, where one is trying to eliminate the flow of toxins to the sensitive lamina in the horse's hoof wall, the development of leaky gut syndrome is obviously counterproductive.

Feline leukemia can be treated with various current oncological drugs but they are very expensive.

Treatment of flea bite dermatitis in animals usually involves antibiotics and prednisone which is often ineffective and use of prednisone can cause sodium retention, eye problems and heart failure.

The disease spreads quickly and is difficult to prevent.

While seldom fatal, the ailment can lead to serious complications such as secondary infections.

However, such treatment is often ineffectual.

This hematologic abnormality can result from hereditary diseases, impaired production because of bone marrow cancer, but often the result of the impairment of cell production by drugs such as cancer drugs, antithyroid drugs, phenothyoscenes, penicillin, and other antibiotics.

Again, treatment usually involves broad spectrum antibiotic therapy which again can lead to antibiotic resistance or other physiological problems.

However, long-term replacement therapy can result in heart problems and bone diseases such as osteoporosis.

Another very serious problem with farm animals is high morbidity (i.e., sickness) among young animals which can result in severe financial losses to farmers and ranchers.

In young cattle (stockers), this problem is particularly significant.

The weaning, processing and transport of stockers is known to be very stressful and often leads to high morbidity and mortality rates due to bovine respiratory disease (BRD).

The inability of the rancher to recover the costs associated with preconditioning has inhibited the adoption of these practices.

There are incidences where preconditioned calves succumb to BRD sickness at rather high rates.

Nevertheless the published BRD nutritional intervention studies have not been consistently positive indicating that an unidentified deficiency still existed in the formulations studied.