Abstract
Disclosed is a method of minimizing infection and minimizing the risks of infection in at risk animals and patients. A dietary supplement to accomplish this objective is also disclosed. The method includes the step of administering a diet rich in .omega.3 fatty acids, for example by adding a substantial proportion of fish oils to the diet. The dietary supplement is particularly well suited to patients receiving total parenteral nutrition.
Filing date: Jul 12, 1984
Issue date: Jun 21, 1988
Inventors: Edward A. Mascioli, George L. Blackburn, Bruce R. Bistrian, Vigen K. Babayan
Assignee: New England Deaconess Hospital
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What is claimed is:
1. A method of minimizing the effects of infection and minimizing the effects of subsequent infection in high risk patients comprising the steps of:
- administering to said patients a diet which is controlled in its caloric and fatty acid type intake, said diet containing 10-20 percent by weight of a mixture of fatty acid-containing oils, wherein said fatty acid-containing oils are selected from oils which have .omega.6 fatty acids as their primary fatty acids and oils which have .omega.3 fatty acids as their primary fatty acids, the oils having .omega.3 fatty acids as their primary fatty acids forming 10-90 percent of said mixture of fatty-acid-containing oils.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said .omega.3 oils are selected from a group consisting of oils derived from herring, anchovy, and menhaden.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said patients comprise patients who have an infection at time of administration of said diet.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein said patients are infected with infections selected from a group consisting of wound infections, empyemas, bacteremias, abscesses, and septicemias.
5. The method of claim 3 wherein said infections are caused by infectious agents selected from a group consisting of bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi.
6. The method of claim 3 wherein said humans comprise patients who have a high risk of infection at the time of administration of the diet.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein said patients at high risk of infection are selected from a group consisting of patients with secondary immunosuppression due to chemotherapy or diabetes mellitus, protein-malnourished patients, and patients undergoing abdominal surgery.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein said oils are administered orally.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein said oils are administered intravenously.
10. A method of minimizing the effects of infection and minimizing the effects of subsequent infection in high risk patients by administering a dietary supplement supplying essential fatty acids, said dietary supplement comprising:
- 10-20 percent by weight of an oily fraction, said oily fraction containing a mixture of one or more oils which contain a greater percentage of .omega.3 fatty acids than .omega.6 fatty acids;
- 1-2 percent by weight of an emulsifier;
- 1-3 percent by weight of an osmoality modifier; and
- sterile water.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein said emulsifier is selected form a group consisting of egg yolks phospholipids and soybean phospholipids.
12. The method of claim 10 wherein said osmoality modifier comprises glycerin.
13. The method of claim 10 wherein said dietary supplement comprises a mixture of oils including oils which contain a greater percentage of .omega.3 fatty acids than .omega.6 fatty acids and oils rich in .omega.6 fatty acids.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein said oils which contain greater percentage of .omega.3 fatty acids that .omega.6 fatty acids comprise 10-90 percent by weight of the total fatty acids in said supplement.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein said oils which contain a greater percentage of .omega.3 fatty acids than .omega.6 fatty acids comprise fish oils selected form a group consisting of oils derived from herring, anchovy and menhaden.
16. The method of claim 10 wherein said patients comprise patients who have an infection at time of administration of said dietary supplement.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein said patients are infected with infections selected from a group consisting of wound infection, empyemas, bacteremias, abscesses and septicemias.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein said infections are caused by infectious agents selected from a group consisting of bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi.
19. The method of claim 16 wherein said patients comprise patients who have a high risk of infection at the time of administration of said dietary supplement.
20. The method of claim 16 wherein said patients having a high risk of infection are selected from a group consisting of patients with secondary immunosuppression due to chemoterapy or diabetes mellitus, protein-malnourished patients, and patients undergoing abdominal surgery.
21. The method of claim 10 wherein said dietary supplement is administered orally.
22. The method of claim 10 wherein said dietary supplement is administered intravenously.