Food composition - associated products

Abstract

The present invention relates to a food composition, in particular in powder form, characterized in that it contains, by weight, per 100g, at least 50g of proteins, at least 35µg of vitamin D3, at least 140mg of choline, vitamin K1 and at least 0.400g of leucine. The composition can be used, in particular, to restore mobility and treat osteoarthritis in elderly dogs.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title: Food composition - associated products.

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present invention relates to a food composition which can be used in particular in older dogs and which makes it possible to improve the general condition of the dog, to restore its mobility or to increase its physical activity and locomotion.

[0005] The present invention relates to this composition as a medicament or functional ingredient, for treating osteoarthritis and a method of increasing physical activity in elderly dogs.

[0006] State of the art

[0007] The life expectancy of domestic carnivores in Europe and North America continues to increase. As owners become increasingly concerned about the well-being of their aging pets, veterinarians have recognized the importance of specifically monitoring older animals to maintain their health and provide care tailored to geriatric conditions. The goal of geriatric care is to prevent the onset of disease and ensure a more comfortable life.

[0008] According to most surveys, consultations for older dogs and cats account for approximately 30% of veterinary visits. A request for a health check from owners, without any particular signs, may take place during the annual vaccination visit. However, the reason for the consultation may be related to a specific condition observed by the owner, such as locomotor problems related to osteoarthritis.

[0009] Not all locomotor problems are due to osteoarthritis. They can also come from

[0010] - a decrease in bone mineral density with a thinning of the cortical diaphysis due to a reduction in osteoblastic activity;

[0011] - a predisposition to the development of osteoarthritis when there is pre-existing joint instability or musculotendinous laxity due to age;

[0012] - a defect in the production of osteoblasts promoting osteoporosis;

[0013] - amyotrophy and muscular fibrosis.

[0014] Osteoarthritis management involves weight management, as an overweight pet will put more strain on its joints than an ideally weighted pet. This includes diet and exercise management. Active and passive exercise programs are beneficial because they promote increased physical activity (and therefore possible weight loss) and build muscle strength (and therefore improve joint stability, range of motion, and aerobic capacity).

[0015] Current treatment of osteoarthritis in older dogs involves anti-inflammatory drugs and, as a preventative and curative measure, chondroprotective food supplements containing hyaluronic acid, for example.

[0016] An aim of the present invention is to provide a food composition which makes it possible to improve the general condition of an elderly mammal, in particular an elderly dog, and in particular to improve or restore its locomotion / mobility.

[0017] Another aim of the present invention is to provide a food composition which makes it possible to reduce the effects of osteoarthritis in an elderly mammal, in particular the dog. Another aim of the present invention is to provide a food composition which is easy to use and can replace a fraction of the daily food quantity.

[0018] Another aim of the present invention is to provide a food composition which is of natural origin and which can be prepared easily and at low cost.

[0019] Another aim of the present invention is to provide a food composition which has a nutritional balance suitable, in particular for managing the diet of the elderly mammal, promoting the improvement of the general state of health.

[0020] Another aim of the present invention is to provide a food composition which is not harmful to the liver and / or kidneys of the mammal, in particular the elderly dog.

[0021] Summary of the invention

[0022] The present invention relates to a food composition which characteristically contains by mass per 100g at least 50g of protein, at least 35pg of vitamin D3, at least 140mg of choline, vitamin K1 and at least 0.400g of leucine.

[0023] Vitamin D3 is known in humans for its action on the fixation of calcium by bones and on muscle wasting.

[0024] Protein intake helps build muscle. Vitamin K1 is known in humans to promote healthy tendons and cartilage, as well as calcium retention in bones. Leucine is also known to potentially regulate muscle protein turnover by promoting muscle production and inhibiting muscle breakdown.

[0025] The Applicant found that, surprisingly, the administration of the food composition of the invention made it possible to improve the general condition of the elderly dog, and more particularly its mobility. Indeed, it was not at all obvious that the composition of the invention could have any curative action in an elderly subject whose muscle wasting was underway and whose tendons and / or bones were potentially damaged. The biological mechanism of action of the composition of the invention is not elucidated but it seems that it acts on the muscles, tendons and bones of the elderly dog.This combination of effects makes it possible to make plausible the use of the composition according to the invention as a medicament or at least as a functional ingredient and more particularly as a medicament or functional ingredient in the treatment or prophylaxis of a modified state of health which may be a disease or a syndrome, linked to the bones and / or the muscles and resulting in a lack of mobility in an elderly subject, in particular the dog. Such an altered condition may be, for example, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, amyotrophy or muscular fibrosis. The composition of the invention may act directly on the causes of the pathology (production of osteoblasts or improvement of the activity of osteoblasts) and / or act on the muscles and / or on the tendons (in particular on laxity) so as to improve at least one symptom of the disease or the modified state of health indirectly.

[0026] Advantageously, the energy intake of the composition of the invention is at least 480 kcal per 100g. It can be at most equal to 530 kcal per 100g. Advantageously, the food composition of the invention contains per 100g at least 9.6 pg of vitamin K1 and in particular 12 pg of vitamin K1. The mass percentage of vitamin K1 is preferably less than or equal to 14.4 pg.

[0027] Advantageously, the food composition may also contain, in addition per 100g at least 750 mg of potassium, in particular 800 mg of potassium, at least 650 mg of phosphorus, in particular 700 mg of phosphorus and at least 200 mg of magnesium and in particular 230 mg of magnesium. These minerals contribute to the proper functioning of muscles and bones. Advantageously, it may also contain, in addition, calcium and / or trace elements and in particular copper, iron, manganese, selenium and zinc.

[0028] As a preferred example, it may contain at least 40 mg of calcium, in particular 47 mg of calcium, at least 1.5 mg of copper and in particular 2 mg of copper, at least 4.5 mg of iron and in particular 5 mg of iron, at least 0.5 mg of manganese and in particular 1 mg of manganese, at least 25 mg of selenium and in particular 30 mg of selenium and at least 10 mg of zinc and in particular 15 mg of zinc.

[0029] Advantageously, whatever the embodiment, the composition may contain polyphenols and in particular at least 500mg of polyphenols per 100g of composition, more particularly 550mg of polyphenols per 100g of composition. Polyphenols are known to have a regulatory action on the functioning of the dog's intestine. They are also known to reduce chronic inflammation in dogs as well as oxidative stress. Finally, they also detoxify the dog's liver. It is likely that the presence of polyphenols helps reduce inflammation and in combination with the aforementioned ingredients (vitamin D3, choline and proteins in particular) contributes to improving the condition of the elderly dog, particularly with regard to osteoarthritis.

[0030] Advantageously, the composition according to the invention may contain, in % by mass, at least 2.500% of arginine, at least 1.500% of histidine, at least 2.000% of isoleucine, less than 0.500% of methionine, at least 3.5% of leucine, at least 2.500% of lysine, at least 2.000% of phenylalanine, at least 2.000% of threonine and at least 3.000% of valine. Such a composition is suitable for dogs except with regard to methionine. However, since the composition of the invention only replaces a fraction of the diet, it is not harmful to the health of the dog.

[0031] The composition of the invention may also, whatever the embodiment, additionally contain fats, including omega-6 and / or fibers. Thus, the composition of the invention may contain at least 32g of omega-6 per 100g of composition and in particular 34.9g of omega-6 per 100g of composition.

[0032] The composition of the invention may also contain, in addition, tryptophan (from 0.59g per 100g of composition to 0.73g per 100g of composition and in particular 0.66g per 100g of composition). Tryptophan has a calming and relaxing effect because it is a precursor of melatonin and serotonin. The Applicant has discovered that the composition of the invention may comprise or consist of insect larvae flour(s), in particular Tenebrio Molitor larvae flour, optionally at least partially enriched with vitamin D3 by UV irradiation, for example.The composition of the invention may be a mixture of two flours obtained from insect larvae, in particular Tenebrio Molitor larvae. Thus, the composition of the invention may contain or consist of at least 50% by mass and advantageously 70% by mass of an insect flour containing 7-dehydrocholesterol and previously irradiated with ultraviolet radiation to increase the vitamin D3 level, in particular a Tenebrio Molitor larvae flour that has been exposed to ultraviolet rays and which therefore contains more vitamin D3 than a non-irradiated flour. The remaining 50% and preferably the remaining 30% may comprise or consist of a defatted insect larvae flour, in particular Tenebrio Molitor larvae. The composition may thus be completely natural and obtained from a single raw material.It therefore contains no trace of solvent, unlike compositions which are assemblies of synthetic ingredients. It is also simple and ecological to produce.

[0033] Degreasing is preferably carried out by centrifugation. However, any other method is possible, for example by pressing.

[0034] As an indication, in the absence of any treatment, insect larvae, in particular Tenebrio Molitor larvae or Alphitobus diaperinus larvae, have a vitamin D3 concentration of less than or equal to 5pg per 100g, usually around 2pg per 100g.

[0035] As a guide, in the absence of any treatment, insect larvae, in particular Tenebrio Molitor larvae or Alphitobus diaperinus larvae, provide an energy intake of at least 500 kcal per 100g.

[0036] The process of irradiating insect larvae powder to enrich it with vitamin D3 is known to those skilled in the art and described in European patent application EP 4 125 416 A1.

[0037] The composition of the invention may, in other variants, comprise or consist of flour(s) of insect larvae selected from the following species: Tenebrio molitor, Alphitobus diaperinus.

[0038] The composition of the invention may be in the form of a powder or a liquid. It is advantageously in the form of a powder, which increases its shelf life (no water, therefore zero or very low water activity) and allows it to be used in the manufacture of dry dog ​​food (kibble, dry treats) or wet dog food. It can also be sprinkled or mixed with wet mash or a homemade ration.

[0039] The present invention also relates to a product chosen from a food supplement, kibble, pâté, a chewable treat and which contains the food composition of the invention.

[0040] Advantageously, said product contains a quantity of composition according to the invention greater than or equal to 5g and less than or equal to 70g and in particular equal to 5g, 10g, 15g, 20g, 25g, 30g, 35g, 40g, 45g, 50g, 55g, 60g, 65g, or 70g.

[0041] The present invention also relates to the composition according to the invention, for its use in the curative or prophylactic treatment of a modified state of health which may be a disease or a syndrome, linked to the bones and / or the muscles and causing a lack of mobility in an elderly subject, in particular the dog and in particular in the treatment of osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, amyotrophy and muscular fibrosis in an elderly subject, in particular the dog.

[0042] The present invention also relates to the use of the food composition of the invention for improving the general health of an elderly mammal, in particular a dog, and / or for increasing mobility and / or physical activity in an elderly mammal, in particular a dog.

[0043] The present invention also relates to a method for improving the general condition of an elderly mammal, in particular a dog, and / or for increasing the daily physical activity of said mammal and / or for improving the walking of said mammal, according to which an effective amount of the food composition according to the invention is administered each day to replace a given amount of food for at least 90 days.

[0044] Advantageously, the effective amount depends on the weight of the dog; it is equal to 1g per kilogram. Thus, a 5-kilogram dog will receive 5g of composition according to the invention. It is advisable to reduce the amount of kibble given to the dog by 2g per gram of composition of the invention given. Thus, a dog fed kibble receiving 5g of composition of the invention will see its kibble ration reduced by 10g. The composition of the invention can be sprinkled on the pâté. It is preferably administered in the form of kibble, treat or food supplement.

[0045] The present invention also relates to a flour or a mixture of flours of insect larvae as mentioned above for its use as a medicament or functional ingredient, in particular in the curative or prophylactic treatment of a modified state of health which may be a disease or a syndrome, linked to the bones and / or the muscles and resulting in a lack of mobility in an elderly subject, in particular the elderly dog ​​and in particular in the treatment of osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, amyotrophy and muscular fibrosis. This flour or this mixture of flours of insect larvae and in particular of Tenebrio Molitor may, preferably, contain the food composition of the invention or be made up of the latter. In this case it preferably contains 70% of flour irradiated with UV and therefore enriched with vitamin D3 and 30% of defatted flour. Other distributions between the quantities and / or the treatment by UV irradiation may be envisaged.

[0046] The present invention also relates to the use of insect larvae flour, in particular Tenebrio Molitor, for improving the general health of an elderly mammal, in particular a dog, in particular for increasing mobility and / or physical activity and / or joint comfort in said elderly mammal.

[0047] Whatever the embodiment of the invention, the composition of the invention, when it is in the form of a powder, has a particle size such that at least 90% by mass and in particular 93.9% by mass of the flour are composed of grains with a diameter greater than 500 μm and less than 2 mm. 0.2% by mass and in particular 0.40% by mass of the flour has a diameter greater than 2 mm and 4% and in particular 5.7% by mass of the flour has a diameter less than 500 μm. This particle size is optimal for the manufacture of kibble in particular, and for good biological availability of the composition of the invention.

[0048] For each of the components contained in the composition of the invention, the minimum and maximum mass percentages are indicated in Table 1 below, mentioned in the first example which follows. It should be noted that each component of Table 1 can be considered in isolation and independently of the other components. The same applies to the other examples and associated tables. Definitions

[0049] For the purposes of the present invention, an "old mammal" is a mammal that has reached at least 75% and preferably 80% of the lifespan recognized for its species and breed. In the case of a dog, a dog can be considered old from the age of 10 regardless of its breed. In the case of a human, a human is considered old from the age of 80.

[0050] The term "vitamin D3-enriched insect larvae meal" means insect larvae meal containing more than 5pg and preferably more than 10pg of vitamin D3 per 100g.

[0051] Brief description of the figures

[0052] The characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description based on figures, among which:

[0053] [Fig. 1] represents the changes in body mass of the study dogs over time; and

[0054] [Fig. 2], [Fig. 3], [Fig. 4], [Fig. 5], [Fig. 6] and [Fig. 7] represent the pulse (in % of body mass / s) at each visit for dogs with ID numbers from 0100 to 0106 (from top to bottom); and

[0055] [Fig. 8], [Fig. 9], [Fig. 10], [Fig.11], [Fig. 12] and [Fig. 13] represent the contact surface of the dog's paws as a function of visits for dogs 0100 to 0106 (from top to bottom).

[0056] Detailed description: experimental part

[0057] Example 1: Characterization of the insect flour used in the following study (hereinafter referred to as “composition according to the invention”).

[0058] The study corresponds to examples 1 to 9 presented.

[0059] The insect flour used is a mixture containing 70% by mass of a previously irradiated Tenebrio Molitor larvae flour and 30% by mass of defatted Tenebrio Molitor larvae flour. It has a particle size such that 93.9% by mass of the flour is composed of grains with a diameter greater than 500pm and less than 2mm. 0.40% by mass of the flour has a diameter greater than 2mm and 5.7% by mass of the flour has a diameter less than 500pm. This flour is in the form of a powder composed of 100% mealworms (Tenebrio Molitor).

[0060] The chemical composition of this flour and the nutritional contribution are presented in Table 1 below. A range noted [ab] indicates that for 100g of composition, the component is found in a quantity greater than or equal to a and less than or equal to b.

[0061] [table 1]

[0062]

[0063] In order to obtain such a composition according to the invention and in particular such a vitamin D3 content of 40pg per 100g, 70% of UV-irradiated Tenebrio Molitor flour and having a vitamin D3 content of 60pg per 100g were mixed with 30% of non-irradiated Tenebrio Molitor flour.

[0064] Example 2: protocol for studying the effect of administering the above-mentioned insect flour on locomotion in elderly dogs.

[0065] The present study is a prospective, multicenter, open-label study in which all dogs were treated with the dietary composition of the invention for 90 days.

[0066] The insect meal described in Table 1 was administered daily to a group of elderly dogs for 90 days.

[0067] Table 2 lists the dosages. The flour is used as a replacement for a given amount of food. The flour is sprinkled on the dog's food and mixed with it, whether it is in the form of wet mash or kibble. The dogs included in this study were monitored for 15 days before treatment (to assess basal activity) and for 90 days after treatment. The primary objective is to assess the effectiveness of the flour on motor activity after 90 days.

[0068] The secondary objectives are as follows:

[0069] - assess the tolerance of the product after 90 days of treatment,

[0070] - evaluate the effectiveness of the product on reducing pain and lameness.

[0071] The study was divided into two parts: 10 dogs were to be included in one site equipped with a gait kinetic analysis platform, and 10 dogs were to be included in the other three sites without gait analysis.

[0072] A total of 19 dogs were included, of which 17 completed the study and 2 left prematurely. One dog was withdrawn from the study 14 days after the start of the study. One dog was withdrawn from the study 14 days before the end and will then be considered evaluable.

[0073] Among the 19 dogs included, there were 6 males for 13 females (31.5% males, 68.5% females), aged from 7 to 15 years, with a mean age of 10.7 years and a median of 11 years, of different breeds. Almost all dogs were neutered (13 out of 19). At inclusion, these dogs weighed between 7.1 kg and 65.8 kg with a mean of 29.2 kg and a median of 11.

[0074] [Table 2]

[0075]

[0076] Data were collected and monitored throughout the study in the Ennov electronic CRF (case report form). A CRF was completed for each dog included. The CRF consists of animal information, animal qualification, clinical examination, LOAD questionnaire, BCS (Body Condition Score) form, gait kinetic analysis form, orthopedic form, blood and urine sample collection form, and a composition monitoring questionnaire according to the invention.

[0077] Example 3: Effect of the composition of the invention on the daily physical activity of the elderly dog.

[0078] The dog's activity was monitored from V1 to V4 using an activity collar (Pitpat activity monitor).

[0079] Owners were asked to fit the collar at visit V1. Baseline motor activity was recorded from V1 to V2 (before the flour distribution described in Table 1). During the 3 months of taking the inventive composition (from V2 to V4), motor activity was recorded to assess changes from baseline activity. The supplier (PitPatPet Ltd) provided raw OCR data for each included dog in a 3-file format named daily activity, raw activity, and static activity. Overall activity was differentiated into walking, running, and playing by the collar algorithm.

[0080] The 3 activity times were then averaged each week in order to establish a comparison between the base period (from V1 to V2, without intake of composition according to the invention) and the active period (from V2 to V4, with intake of composition according to the invention). The results are grouped in Table 3 below.

[0081] [Table 3]

[0082] Regarding overall activity (sum of time spent walking, running and playing), the average daily baseline activity measured during the first period which was 51.6 min increased to 59.0 min during the second period, with supplementation with the composition according to the invention.

[0083] These data show that for 50% of the dogs, the intake of the composition of the invention was correlated with an average increase of 43% in overall daily activity. When this question was posed to the investigators, they reported that no owner had changed their walking habits, which confirms the fact that the increase in daily activity could have been induced by a better general condition, better health and greater ease of adaptation.

[0084] Example 4: Gait analysis on a treadmill.

[0085] For site 01 only, quantitative measurements of gait kinetic analysis were performed on a walkway. An operator walks the dog on a leash, at a walk, on a force-measuring walkway. At least 5 passes are required to calculate the average values ​​of impulse and contact area. This technique made it possible to characterize the dog's movements and to highlight a possible change in gait related to increased activity. An increase in impulse and contact area (see [Fig. 3] to [Fig. 7]) was observed for all six dogs at site 01 after the start of treatment. It is therefore observed that the dogs place a larger surface area of ​​their paws on the ground (due to reduced pain and better joint mobility) and put more weight on their paws (same reasons as above).

[0086] The composition according to the invention therefore has an effect on the joints of the elderly dog.

[0087] Example 5: effect on body weight variation.

[0088] The body weight of the dogs was measured at each visit (from V1 to V4). The evolution was evaluated between V2 (start of treatment) and V4 (end of treatment). For the majority of the dogs included, the variations were limited to + / - 5% of the body weight. Moreover, as can be seen in Fig. 1, all body weights remained very stable.

[0089] Example 6: effect on hemato-biochemical parameters.

[0090] Blood samples were taken at V1 (D0), V3 (D45) and V4 (D105).

[0091] The following parameters were analyzed immediately at each site:

[0092] - Complete blood count: White blood cells; Polymorphonuclear cells (neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils); lymphocytes; monocytes; red blood cells; hemoglobin; hematocrit; and platelets.

[0093] - Biochemistry: Urea, creatinine, glucose, total protein, ALKP, ALT, cholesterol.

[0094] - ionogram (Sodium, Potassium, Chloride), Phosphorus. The results of the biological assessment are attached to the animal's file and, after verification and data collection, are recorded by the veterinarian.

[0095] - Blood cell count:

[0096] Overall, after 90 days of treatment with the composition of the invention (defined in Table 1), according to the protocol defined in Table 2, no difference was observed in the hematological parameters of the dogs included in the study.

[0097] - lonograms:

[0098] No difference was found.

[0099] - Blood biochemical parameters:

[0100] Some dogs (cases 0100, 0101, 0106, 0202, 401 and 402) had elevated ALKP and / or ALT levels at the inclusion visit V1, without any associated clinical symptoms being reported. During follow-up, stabilization or even a decrease in these blood parameters was observed, supporting the absence of liver toxicity of the investigational product.

[0101] The biological parameters of renal function (urea, creatinine) were stable for all cases in the study, with the exception of cases 0202 and 0204 which presented a very moderate increase in uremia at V4 (0.8 g / L - Norms less than 0.6 g / L) without modification of creatinine and without clinical impact. These observations are in favor of good tolerance of the composition of the invention at the renal level.

[0102] Cholesterol levels were significantly higher than usual norms at inclusion (V1) for 4 dogs in the study (0101, 0104, 0202, 0203). A decrease in cholesterol levels was observed in one of them (case 0101), while an increase was observed at V4 for cases 0104, 0202, 0203. At the same time, weight gain was observed at V4 in cases 0104 (+4kg) and 0203 (+1kg), while dog 0101 (prematurely withdrawn from the study) showed weight loss at V3 (-2Kg).

[0103] Blood glucose levels did not change during the study follow-up for all included cases, except for case 0201, which was diabetic under insulin therapy before its inclusion in the study. During its participation in the study, this dog showed an increase in blood glucose levels at each of visits V3 (GLU= 3.1 g / l) and V4 (GLU= 2.8 g / l); an insulin dose adjustment was made accordingly. This dog was able to maintain its initial weight of 8 kg, and even responded favorably to the introduction of the composition of the invention, in terms of activity.

[0104] - Urine gauge

[0105] Glycosuria was observed at V3 and V4 in diabetic dog 0201, in parallel with the increase in blood glucose. Several dogs presented proteinuria at baseline and during the study (0100, 0202, 0205, 0208), without the observed proteinuria being related to the intake of the composition of the invention.

[0106] Blood in the urine was observed at V1 (cases 0202 and 0203), V3 (cases 0104 and 0204) and V4 (cases 0100 and 0302), unrelated to the composition of the invention. In conclusion, during the 3 months of the study, the evolution of blood and urine hemato-biochemical parameters is in favor of an excellent safety profile of the composition of the invention in this population of elderly dogs.

[0107] Example 7: Owner score: LOAD.

[0108] At visits V0, V2, V3 and V4, owners were asked to complete the LOAD questionnaire, comprising 13 multiple-choice questions regarding the dog's mobility and activity.

[0109] Each response was coded from 0 to 4 and the sum of the responses was calculated to obtain the LOAD score. A high LOAD score means that the dog had problems with general mobility, and a low LOAD score meant that the dog had no problems with general activity. 7 dogs showed a lower LOAD score after treatment and 5 showed an overall stabilization of the LOAD score. The other 5 dogs showed a LOAD score calculated after treatment that was higher than at the beginning of treatment. The osteoarthritic pathology of dog 0301 is therefore considered stable. In conclusion, an improvement or stabilization of the LOAD score was observed in 76% (13 / 17) of the evaluable dogs in the study and 24% (4 / 17) of the dogs showed an increase in this score.

[0110] Example 8: Veterinary score: VAS, NRS and BCS.

[0111] The BCS (Body Condition Score) is a scale used to assess the visible body fat level and indicate the nutritional status of the dog. This score ranges from 1 (very underweight, at risk of starvation) to 9 (significantly overweight, covered in fat). BCS stabilization was observed in 82% (14 / 17) of patients and 18% showed a decrease in BCS between V0 and V4. In fact, during the study, most dogs maintained their initial BCS and 3 of them saw their BCS decrease. This observation is consistent with the very small changes in body weight shown previously.

[0112] The VAS (Visual Analogy Scale) is a scale ranging from 0 to 10 that can assess several types of parameters. For this study, the VAS was proposed to assess dog lameness from 0 (no lameness at all) to 10 (the dog could not be more lame). For the majority of dogs, only slight variations were observed (+ / - 1) during the study. An improvement or stabilization of the score was observed in 59% of cases and 42% of dogs showed a slight increase in this score. Dog 0201 had the best evolution, from 5 to 2 and representing an improvement of 60%.

[0113] The NRS (Numerical Rating Scale) is a veterinarian-assessed score for lameness and pain. These scales range from 0 to 4. For lameness, 0 represents a dog standing and walking normally and 4 represents a dog standing and walking on three legs. For pain, 0 represented no response after palpation and handling and 4 represented a dog that did not allow palpation or handling of the limbs. Improvement or stabilization of the NRS score for lameness and pain was noted for a majority (68%) of dogs.

[0114] Improvement or stabilization of the NRS scale was noted for the majority (68%) of patients.

[0115] - A group of 10 "responder" dogs with mostly improved or stable scores and daily activity. These dogs have a mean age of 10.55 years and a median of 10.5 years. Their mean weight is 28.54 kg with a median of 27.8 kg. This group is composed of 6 females (60%) and 4 males (40%) of different breeds.

[0116] - A group of 3 "stable" dogs with generally stable scores and daily activity, corresponding to 18% (3 / 17) of the population. These 3 dogs have an average age and a median of 9 years. Their average weight is 23.33 kg with a median of 22.2 kg. This sample consists of 2 females (67%) and one male (33%) of different breeds.

[0117] - A group of 4 "non-responder" dogs, whose scores and daily activity have mainly deteriorated, corresponding to 26% (4 / 17) of the population. The average age of this group is 12.25 years with a median value of 11.5 years. The average weight is 31.28 kg with a median value of 30.8 kg. This sample is composed of 3 females (75%) and 1 male (25%) of different breeds.

[0118] Example 9: Satisfaction questionnaire.

[0119] A satisfaction questionnaire was submitted to the dog owners who participated in the study to find out their opinion on the composition of the invention. 19 owners completed the form.

[0120] Question 1: Has your dog accepted the health ingredient in his daily meals?

[0121] 15 dog owners answered "yes."

[0122] Question 2: In your opinion, have you noticed any positive changes in your dog's physical activity? Its behavior? Joint stiffness? Muscle strengthening? The quality of its coat? The quality of its stools? 53% (10 / 19) of owners noticed an increase in their dog's physical activity; 47% (9 / 19) of owners noticed a decrease in their pet's joint stiffness and 32% (6 / 19) of owners noticed an increase in their pet's muscle mass.

[0123] 3 owners noticed changes in behavior, 6 noticed changes in the quality of their pet's coat, and 3 noticed positive changes in the quality of their pet's coat and 3 in the quality of their pet's stool.

[0124] Question 3: What do you think is the best format for regular use? 63% (12 / 19) of owners think that the best format for regular use would be to integrate the composition of the invention directly into the kibble and 47% (11 / 19) would prefer that the composition of the invention be integrated into "biscuits" or "health rewards".

[0125] Question 4: If you are an animal health professional, would you recommend this type of product to your clients?

[0126] 60% of animal health professionals who have given this food supplement to their dog are ready to recommend it to their clients.

[0127] The composition of the invention is therefore capable of improving the general condition of a majority of elderly dogs. 76% of elderly dogs treated with the composition of the invention showed an increase (or stabilization) in their daily activity and a decrease (or stabilization) in their daily physical activity and a decrease (or stabilization) in the symptoms of the elderly associated with walking (lameness, pain). In addition, for some dogs, these observations were confirmed numerically by the evaluation of walking on a dedicated platform.

[0128] Example 10: Characterization of defatted insect flours according to the invention.

[0129] The insect flours analyzed are each in the form of powder composed of 100% mealworms (Tenebrio Molitor). These flours were defatted until a chosen fat content was obtained.

[0130] The nutritional intake and vitamin D3 content of a first defatted flour is presented in Table 4 below. A range noted [ab] indicates that for 100g of composition, the component is found in a quantity greater than or equal to a and less than or equal to b.

[0131] [table 4]

[0132] The nutritional value and vitamin D3 content of a second defatted flour is shown in Table 5 below. A range marked [ab] indicates that per 100g of composition, the component is present in a quantity greater than or equal to a and less than or equal to b. [Table 5]

[0133] The nutritional value and vitamin D3 content of a third defatted flour is shown in Table 6 below. A range marked [ab] indicates that per 100g of composition, the component is present in a quantity greater than or equal to a and less than or equal to b.

[0134] [table 6] Example 11: Characterization of a UV-irradiated insect meal according to the invention. The UV-irradiated insect meal analyzed is in the form of a powder composed of 100% mealworms (Tenebrio Molitor). Such a meal can be irradiated in a custom manner, in particular depending on the UV source, the duration and the distance of exposure, so as to obtain the chosen vitamin D3 value.

[0135] The nutritional value and vitamin D3 content of UV-irradiated flour is shown in Table 7 below. A range marked [ab] indicates that per 100g of composition, the component is present in a quantity greater than or equal to a and less than or equal to b.

[0136] [table 7]

[0137] In this example, to obtain such a quantity of vitamin D3, a UV exposure lasting 10 minutes by a UVB neon with a power of 18W was carried out.

[0138] Example 12: Characterization of a second example of a composition according to the invention. The insect flour used is a mixture containing 10% by mass of a Tenebrio Molitor larvae flour and 90% by mass of Alphitobus diaperinus larvae flour. At least one of the flours has been at least partially irradiated by UV, in order to obtain the chosen vitamin D3 value for the composition according to the invention. The nutritional intake and vitamin D3 content of such a mixture of flours at least partially irradiated by UV is presented in Table 8 below. A range noted [ab] indicates that for 100g of composition, the component is present in a quantity greater than or equal to a and less than or equal to b.

[0139] [table 8]

[0140] It is easily understood that this detailed description relates to particular examples of embodiment and implementation of the present invention, but that in no case does this description have any limiting character to the subject of the invention; on the contrary, its objective is to remove any possible imprecision or any misinterpretation of the claims which follow.

[0141] Thus, it will be understood that the examples of flour(s) or flour mixture(s) as well as the UV treatment parameters can vary considerably depending on the targeted needs.

Claims

Claims 1. Food composition, in particular in powder form, characterized in that it contains by mass per 100g at least 50g of proteins, at least 35pg of vitamin D3, at least 140mg of choline, vitamin K1 and at least 0.400g of leucine.

2. Food composition according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains per 100g at least 9.6pg of vitamin K1 and in particular 12pg of vitamin K1.

3. Food composition according to claim 1, characterized in that it also contains per 100g, at least 750 mg of potassium, in particular 800 mg of potassium, at least 650 mg of phosphorus, in particular 700 mg of phosphorus and at least 200 mg of magnesium and in particular 230 mg of magnesium.

4. Food composition according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it additionally contains calcium and / or trace elements and in particular copper, iron, manganese, selenium and zinc.

5. Food composition according to claim 4, characterized in that it contains at least 40 mg of calcium, in particular 47 mg of calcium, at least 1.5 mg of copper and in particular 2 mg of copper, at least 4.5 mg of iron and in particular 5 mg of iron, at least 0.5 mg of manganese and in particular 1 mg of manganese, at least 25 mg of selenium and in particular 30 mg of selenium and at least 10 mg of zinc and in particular 15 mg of zinc.

6. Food composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also contains polyphenols and in particular at least 500 mg of polyphenols per 100 g.

7. Food composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it contains in % by mass at least 2.500% of arginine, at least 1.500% of histidine, at least 2.000% of isoleucine, less than 0.500% of methionine, at least 3.5% of leucine, at least 2.500% of lysine, at least 2.000% of phenylalanine, at least 2.000% of threonine and at least 3.000% of valine.

8. Food composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises or consists of insect larvae flour(s), in particular Tenebrio Molitor larvae flour, optionally at least partially enriched with vitamin D3, by UV irradiation, in particular.

9. Food composition according to any one of the preceding claims for its use in the curative or prophylactic treatment of a modified health condition which may be a disease or a syndrome, linked to the bones and / or the muscles and resulting in a lack of mobility in an elderly subject, in particular the dog, and in particular in the treatment of osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, amyotrophy and muscular fibrosis in an elderly subject, in particular the dog.

10. Product chosen from a food supplement, kibble, pâté, a chewable treat, characterized in that it contains the food composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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