MX2008007189A - Nutritional supplement containing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a nutritional supplement for administration to children. The supplement comprises a protein component, a carbohydrate component, and a fat or lipid component which further comprises a source of DHA. The supplement has anÏë-6:Ïë- 3 fatty acid ratio of about 6:1 or less. The present invention also relates to a method of providing nutrition to a pediatric subject comprising administering to the subject a nutritional supplement comprising a protein component;a carbohydrate component;and a fat or lipid component, which further comprises a source of DHA, wherein the composition has anÏë-6:Ïë-3 fatty acid ratio of about 6:1 or less.

Description

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT THAT CONTAINS LONG CHAIN POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a nutritional supplement, such as a meal replacement or snack, or as a nutrient for subjects suffering from chronic diseases, trauma or insufficient development which contains a unique mixture of lipids including a level of DHA supplementation and a low ratio of fatty acids? -6:? - 3 in relation to the typical western diet to thus provide health benefits and / or to prevent adverse health consequences. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Babies and children in developed countries are notoriously fussy eaters. These eating habits coupled with a poor selection of foods by parents can commonly result in children not receiving adequate levels of important key nutrients to optimize their growth and development. One of these nutrients is the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid? -3 (LCPUFA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). DHA has been shown to be important for visual cognitive development and accumulates rapidly in the developing brain for at least the first two years of life. To date, there is no nutritionally complete product REF. : 191421 intended for children ages 1-12 that contain an adequate level of DHA supplementation. This is partly due to limited information regarding LCPUFA consumption of lactating infants and babies or potential benefits from the consumption of a diet that includes? -3 LCPUFA in this age group. However, a recent survey of dietary intakes in American children aged 1-12 years reported DHA intakes of 30 mg / day or less. Extrapolation of existing recommendations for infants or adults to children in this age group suggests that DHA intakes of 40-179 mg / day may be desired to provide levels that have been shown to promote health benefits, including optimal cardiovascular and brain health and function in other age groups. These results suggest that a "gap" of up to 150 mg / day could exist between the typical level of DHA consumption in young children and what could be considered a desirable level of supplementation. In addition, depending on the specific benefit, efficacy-based levels could be as high as 500 mg / day for some of these age groups. This is particularly important when considering that recommended levels of DHA in newborns and adults are designed to optimize brain and cardiovascular health and function. However, to date it has not been introduced to the market no product that is specifically designed to fill this gap in DHA consumption for children ages 1-12. A nutritionally complete product supplemented with an adequate level of DHA, in combination with an adequate blend of dietary oils, could also solve other health concerns in growth. One of those concerns is to increase the level of fatty acids? -6 in relation to fatty acids? -3 in the diet. Currently, Western diets contain a fatty acid ratio? -6:? - 3 of more than 15: 1. This change in the consumption of fatty acids towards excessive intakes of polynaturated fatty acids? -6 (PUFAs) resulting in a very high? -6:? -3 ratio has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, inflammatory and autoimmune. In children, a greater number of behavioral problems, temper tantrums, sleep problems, learning damage and health problems have been reported in subjects with lower total fatty acid concentrations -3, highlighting the need for adequate nutrition of fatty acid? -3 in children. There is a growing body of scientific evidence indicating the health benefits of a lower fatty acid ratio -6:? -3, including immune function, cardiovascular, bone and mental health benefits. In particular, studies suggest that a ratio of? -6:? - 3 of less than 6: 1 could be associated with health benefits, while a ratio of 10: 1 or more could be associated with adverse health effects. Several federal agencies and scientific organizations are putting an increased emphasis on increasing fats -3 in the diet. The nutritionally complete children's products currently available are used for supplemental nutrition, a meal replacement or snack, or for chronic diseases, injuries, trauma or insufficient development in children and youth, these products are generally formulas that focus on providing complete nutrition in Pleasant flavor formulations to help promote patient acceptance and cooperation. For example, Enfamil® Kindercal® (Mead Johnson, Evansville, IN), is designed to provide nutrition for children ages 1 to 10 who require supplemental nutrition, a replacement meal or snack, or complete nutrition for chronic diseases, injuries or insufficient development. The Kindercal® supplement currently marketed has a? -6:? -3 ratio of about 5: 1, but does not contain DHA. Pediasure® (Ross Products Division, Abbott Laboratories, Columbus, OH) is designed for children 1 to 10 years of age whose nutrient needs are increased or who may have problems due to diseases or poor appetite. Also, Pediasure® does not contain DHA. However, Pediasure® has a fatty acid ratio? -6:? -3 of about 10.8: 1. Although each of these products is designed to supplement the diet of children who are fussy eaters or to support the chronically ill pediatric patient, there are still opportunities to improve the composition of these formulas by optimizing the lipid composition to provide a level based on evidence of DHA in combination with a mixture of oils suitable to maintain a low ratio of fatty acids? -6:? - 3 and thus optimize brain development and cardiovascular function and health. Due to the problems associated with current nutritional products, improvements have been sought in several nutritional supplements reported. However, these supplements do not adequately solve all the health problems that originate from diets that lack LCPUFAs and / or have high fatty acid ratios? -6, in relation to fatty acids? -3. For example, WO2003043445 to Cary, et. al., describes a processed baby food useful for supplementing a child's diet with precursors for the synthesis of arachidonic acid and DHA comprising a mixture of linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid. Because this supplement only incorporates the precursors of LCPUFAs, therefore lacks DHA. The disclosed invention also specifies a relatively high fatty acid ratio? -6: fatty acids? -3 from 7: 1 to 12: 1. WO200215719 to Fuchs, et al. , describes a composition for a nutritional supplement for a sick patient with a lipid source that provides at least 18% of the total calories. The lipid source has a fatty acid ratio? -6:? -3 from about 1: 1 to 10: 1. However, the supplement lacks DHA. The patent applications of E.U.A. Nos. 20030000391 and 20030185941 to Highman, et al. , describe an organic nutritional beverage containing at least one of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA. Arachidonic and linolenic acids (fatty acids? -6) are also useful fatty acids in the beverage according to the invention. The applications do not describe any particular relation of fatty acids? -6:? -3 that is present in the beverage. O2001047377 to Myhre describes a liquid nutritional preparation containing oil mixed with an aqueous phase in order to improve the freshness of the product. The nutritional liquid also has a high ratio of fatty acids? -6:? - 3. The patent of E.U.A. No. 5,902,797 to Bell, et al. , describes a nutritional supplement that contains carbohydrates, proteins and fats, useful for an individual with suppressed appetite. DHA is not described as a part of the supplement. From the above, it can be seen that there is a need for improved nutritional supplements containing proteins, carbohydrates and lipid sources that include a significant level of DHA, but have lower total fatty acids -6 to fatty acids ?-3. Also, nutritional compositions that provide health benefits and / or prevent health consequences in children would also be desirable. Finally, compositions that are capable of providing the special nutritional requirements of children suffering from chronic diseases, injuries, traumas or insufficient development would also be desirable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Briefly, the invention is directed to a new nutritional composition comprising a protein component; a carbohydrate component; and a fatty or liquid component, which further comprises a source of DHA, wherein the supplement has a fatty acid ratio? -6:? -3 of about 6: 1 or less. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for providing nutrition to a subject, which comprises administering to the subject a nutritional supplement comprising a protein component; a carbohydrate component; and a fat or lipid component, further comprising a source of DHA, wherein the supplement has a fatty acid ratio? -6:? -3 of about 6: 1 or less. In some modalities, the nutritional supplement is a nutritionally complete supplement. For example, the nutritional supplement may be suitable as the sole source of caloric intake for the subject, or may optionally be supplemented with animal milk, human milk and / or other infant milk initially and / or with solid foods or drinks later. The lipid mixture of the present invention offers an improvement in the ratio of? -6:? -3 fatty acids compared to conventional nutritional supplements and current nutritionally complete supplements. For example, the invention described herein, in some embodiments, contains a unique lipid mixture that includes a source of oil rich in DHA, canola oil, high sunflower oil in oleic acid, corn oil, soybean oil and medium chain triglyceride oil (MCT) that provides an adequate level of DHA supplementation, and a low fatty acid ratio? -6:? - 3 relative to the typical western diet to provide health benefits and / or prevent adverse health consequences. Therefore, the present invention provides an improved nutritional supplement comprising sources of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids that include a significant level of DHA, but that have low total fatty acid ratios? -6 to acid degrees? -3. Also, the present invention provides a nutritional supplement that provides health benefits and / or prevents adverse health consequences in children. Finally, the present invention provides methods and compositions that are capable of delivering the special nutritional requirements of children suffering from chronic disease, injury, trauma or insufficient development. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are shown below. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not of limitation thereof. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used in another embodiment to produce an additional embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover these modifications and variations that are within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Other objects, features and aspects of the present invention are described in or are obvious from the following detailed description. It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure is a description of exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the broader aspects of the present invention. In accordance with the present invention, it has been discovered that a pediatric nutritional supplement can be provided in a nutritionally complete form ready for use by mixing proteins, lipids and carbohydrates in a composition in proportions that are suitable for children. For example, in one embodiment, the present invention provides a nutritional supplement comprising a protein component, a carbohydrate component and a lipid component comprising a source of DHA, wherein the supplement has a fatty acid ratio? -6:? 3 of about 6: 1 or less. In some modalities, the nutritional supplement is a nutritionally complete pediatric supplement. As used herein, the terms "pediatric" and "children" refer to human subjects who are between the ages of nine months and thirteen years of age, and in some embodiments, more specifically children between the ages of one and twelve. year old. In a particular modality, children are between the ages of one and ten years of age. As used herein, the term "nutritionally complete" refers to a nutritional supplement that can be used as the sole source of nutrition, which could supply a subject with essentially all the required daily amounts of vitamins, minerals and / or residual elements in combination with proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. Suitably, the present invention provides a benefit over conventional nutritional supplements since the combination of the lipid mixture with a significant level of DHA results in a fatty acid ratio? -6:? -3 of about 6: 1 or less. For example, the ratio? -6:? -3 of conventional products such as PediaSure® is approximately 11: 1. Although it is not desired to be limiting, it is believed that the nutritional intake of lower general fatty acid ratios? -6:? -3 could provide certain health benefits, including, but not limited to, improved immune function, cardiovascular improvement, prevention or treatment of asthma and other respiratory diseases, bone strength and various mental health benefits. While not wishing to be bound by this or any theory, it is believed that the present invention could have additional benefits over conventional nutritional supplements since in terms of its effect on intracellular phosphatidylserine (PS) concentrations. PS is a phospholipid that is essential for the functioning of all the cells of the body, but is particularly concentrated in the brain. PS has also shown particular benefits in terms of increase and memory. It is believed that DHA can modulate PS levels in vi and in vi tro, since it has been shown that PS levels correlate directly with the DHA content in neuronal cells. A bar, Moham ed, et a l. , Docosahexaenoi c Acid: A Posi tive Modula tor of Akt Signa l ing in Neuron l Survival, PNAS 102 (31): 10858-10863 (August 2005). Considering the well-established notion that changes in the proportion of phospholipids are not easily introduced, the modulation of PS by DHA seems to be a unique mechanism. See above. Residual amounts of PS can be found in lecithin. In certain embodiments of the invention, the nutritional supplement contains both lecithin and DHA. In this combination, it is likely that DHA increases the intracellular concentration of PS. In this way, the present invention can be especially useful for improving brain function, memory, verbal ability, mood, sociability, stress, attention deficit disorders and / or hyperactivity disorders. The nutrient profile of the present invention may be, in one embodiment, designed primarily for the pediatric subject who may not consume the nutrition adequate through traditional dietary sources. For example, the nutritional supplement can be used as a pediatric nutritional supplement for children who are "fussy eaters," such as a meal replacement (for example, nutritionally complete) or snack, or to provide special nutritional increases for children who suffer from disease. chronic, injury, traumatism or insufficient development. Likewise, the nutritional supplement described here can be used as a nutritional supplement for convalescent children recovering from diseases or surgeries, as well as with limited appetite, anorexic children, bulimic children and for those children who have impaired ability to digest other sources of nutrition. The nutritional supplement may also include vitamins and minerals in sufficient quantities to supply the daily nutritional requirements of children between one and thirteen years of age, and in some modalities, the amounts may be selected in accordance with FDA guidelines. The nutritional supplement may also contain other ingredients such as antioxidants, emulsifiers, stabilizers, preservatives, fibers, coloring agents, flavoring agents such as sweeteners, and other food supplements. In one embodiment, the present invention also encompasses a method for providing nutrition to a subject, which comprises administering to the subject a nutritional supplement comprising a protein component, a carbohydrate component and a lipid component comprising a source of DHA, wherein the nutritional supplement has a fatty acid ratio? -6:? -3 of about 6: 1 or less. In some modalities, the subject is a pediatric subject. Suitable carbohydrates, lipids and proteins can vary widely and are well known to those skilled in the art of preparing pediatric nutritional supplements. The selection of one or more of the ingredients described herein may be a matter of formulation design or preferences of the consumer and end user. For purposes of convenience, various ingredients that are suitable for use with methods and compositions of the present invention are described in more detail below. However, the present invention should not be construed as being limited to any of the specific ingredients listed herein, since one of skill in the art will readily understand that many suitable ingredients other than those described herein could be used in addition to or in place of them. One component of the methods and compositions of the present invention is one or more carbohydrates. As used herein, the term "carbohydrate" or "carbohydrates" refers to both simple carbohydrates (i.e., monosaccharides) and disaccharides) as well as complex carbohydrates (ie polysaccharides). The nutritional supplement of the present invention encompasses any source of carbohydrates that can be of natural, synthetic or developed occurrence through the genetic manipulation of organisms, whether this source is not known now or develops later. For example, carbohydrate sources that are suitable for use with the methods and compositions of the present invention may include, but are not limited to, corn syrup solids; maltodextrin; sugars such as glucose, fructose, dextrose, lactose, galactose, saccharides, sucrose and maltose; sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol; syrups such as maltitol, corn syrup, rice syrup and high fructose corn syrup and mixtures thereof. Commercial sources for the carbohydrates listed above are readily available and are known to the practitioner in the art. For example, corn syrup solids are available from Cerestar USA, Inc. in Hammond, Ind. Glucose-based syrups and rice are available from California Natural Products in Lathrop, Calif. Various corn syrups and high fructose corn syrups are available from Lane in Minneapolis, Minn. Fructose is available from A.E. Staley in Decatur, 111. In addition to the carbohydrates described above, the The nutritional supplement described herein may also contain additional sweeteners, for example, sucralose, saccharins, cyclamates, aspartamine, aspartame, acesulfame K and / or sorbitol. These artificial sweeteners may be desirable if the nutritional supplement is designed for an overweight subject, or a subject with type II diabetes who is prone to hyperglycemia. The nutritional supplement of the present invention encompasses any source of artificial sweeteners that may be of natural occurrence, synthetic or developed through genetic manipulation of organisms, since this new source is now known or developed later. Another component of the methods and compositions of the present invention is one or more proteins. As used herein "protein" or "proteins" refers to organic compounds comprising amino acids linked by peptide bonds. The nutritional supplement of the present invention encompasses any source of proteins that may be of natural, synthetic or developed occurrence through the genetic manipulation of organisms, whether this new source is now known or developed later. For example, protein sources that are suitable for use with the methods and compositions of the present invention may include, but are not limited to, any protein suitable for use in nutritional formulations including milk proteins, milk protein concentrate, whey protein, whey protein concentrate, protein powder, lactalbumen, egg proteins (eg, albumin), soy protein, protein isolate, soybeans, rice protein, beef collagen, pea protein, potato protein, casein, caseinate (eg, sodium caseinate, sodium-calcium caseinate, calcium caseinate, potassium caseinate), animals (eg. and fish) and mixtures thereof. Proteins that are suitable for use with the methods and compositions of the present invention may also include hydrolyzed proteins. As used herein, the term "hydrolyzed proteins" or "protein hydrolysates" means protein that has been processed or treated in a manner intended to degrade one or more peptide bonds (amides). These hydrolyzed peptide fragments and free amino acids are digested more easily. The breaking of amide bonds can occur intentionally or accidentally during manufacture, for example due to heating or shear stress. Suitable protein hydrolysates include, but are not limited to, soy protein hydrolyzate, casein protein hydrolyzate, whey protein hydrolyzate, rice protein hydrolyzate, hydrolyzate potato protein, fish protein hydrolyzate, egg protein hydrolyzate, gelatin protein hydrolyzate, a combination of animal and vegetable protein hydrolyzate and mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, the protein may also be provided in the form of free amino acids. Free amino acids can be added to the supplement in addition to the protein component. Examples of suitable free amino acids include, but are not limited to, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, cysteine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine , proline, serine, carnitine, taurine and mixtures thereof. In other embodiments, small amino acid peptides may be included as the protein of the present invention. These peptides of small amino acids can be of natural occurrence or synthesized. In certain aspects of the present invention, the protein component comprises a milk protein concentrate, which is a mixture of casein and whey protein. In some embodiments, the protein component comprises a mixture of casein and whey, wherein the ratio of casein to whey is about 8: 2. Another component of the methods and compositions of the present invention is one or more lipids. As used in the present, the term "lipid" or "lipids" refers to fatty or oily organic compounds. The term "lipid" encompasses all fatty acid-type compounds. Lipids can be classified as either saturated, polyunsaturated or monounsaturated. Lipid sources that are suitable for use with the methods and compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to, coconut oil, fish oil (for example, lacquer oil, sardine oil), walnut oils (for example, hazelnut oil, walnut oil, Brazil nut oil, chestnut oil, peanut oil), pumpkin seed oil, rice bran oil, sesame seed oil, soybean oil, corn oil, safflower oil, evening primrose oil, rapeseed oil, olive oil, linseed oil, cottonseed oil, rapeseed oil high oleic content, palm stearin, soy lecithin, macadamia oil, MCT oil (medium chain triglyceride), sunflower oil, sunflower oil high content of oleic acid, palm oil, palm olein, seed oil palm, canola oil, milk fat (for example, milk fat, butter, milk fat), wheat germ oil, whole grain oil and mixtures thereof. In some embodiments of the present invention, the lipid component comprises a mixture of several types of lipids. For example, the nutritional supplement may comprise a mixture of at least one source of linoleic acid (a fatty acid? -3 and at least one source of a-linolenic acid (a fatty acid? -6). source of DHA (a fatty acid? -3) is also present in the nutritional supplement of the present invention In certain aspects of the present invention, the types of lipids and the amount of lipids in the mixture can be selected in such a way that the nutritional supplement has a fatty acid ratio? -6:? -3 of about 6: 1 or less, about 5: 1 or less, about 4: 1 or less, about 3: 1 or less, about 2: 1 or less or about 1: 1 or less In some modalities, the nutritional supplement may simply have a fatty acid ratio of -6:? -3 of about 6: 1 or less.In additional modalities, the nutritional supplement may have a fatty acid ratio? -6:? - 3 somewhere in the scale between about 1: 1 and 6: 1, or between about 3: 1 and about 6: 1. In still further embodiments, the nutritional supplement can have a fatty acid ratio? -6:? -3 within the range of between about 5: 1 and about 6: 1. In still other embodiments, the nutritional supplement may have a fatty acid ratio? -6:? -3 of about 6: 1. In other additional modalities, the nutritional supplement may have a fatty acid ratio? -6:? - 3 of about 5: 1. For example, in certain aspects of the present invention, the nutritional supplement comprises a mixture of 1) at least one source of fatty acid? -3, linoleic acid, 2) at least one source of the fatty acid? -6, -linolenic acid and 3) at least one source of the fatty acid? -3, DHA, wherein the ratio of the amount of fatty acid? -6 total to the amount of fatty acid? -3 total is about 6: 1 or less. Suitable sources of oils rich in linoleic acid include, but are not limited to, sunflower oil, cottonseed oil, walnut oil, soybean oil, whole grain oil, wheat germ oil, chestnut oil, pumpkin seed oil, sesame oil, Brazil nut oil, peanut oil, safflower oil, corn oil, animal fat and mixtures thereof. Suitable sources of oils rich in a-linolenic acid include, but are not limited to, linseed oil, canola oil, soybean oil, walnut oil, wheat germ oil and mixtures thereof. Suitable sources of DHA include, but are not limited to, dairy products such as eggs (eg, egg yolk oil) and milk fat; marine oils or fish, such as cod oil, salmon, tigerfish, sardines, tuna and many other fish; brain lipids, animal fats (e.g., beef and chicken fat), animal organs, lard, tallow and microbial oils such as fungal and algal oils described in detail in the U.S. Patents. Nos. 5,347,657; 5,550,156 and 5,658,767. Each of the patents of E.U.A. mentioned above is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. DHA that is suitable for use with the present invention can be isolated from any unicellular organism that contains a significant amount of DHA. This could include several oleaginous fungi, several algae (especially in members of the class Dinophyceae, Ba cillar iophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Prymnes iophyceae and Euglenophycea e), as well as organisms of uncertain taxonomic status such as Thra ustochytri um or Schi zochytri um. Suitable processes for producing lipids containing DHA from Thra ustochytri um or Schi zochytri um are provided in the patent of E.U.A. No. 5,130,242, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by way of reference thereto. Seaweed oils such as those of Dinoflagellates of the Dinophyceae class, notably Crypthecodinium cohni, can be suitable sources of DHA (including DHASCO ™ and DHASCO-S ™), as shown in US patents Nos. 5,397,591; 5,407,957; 5,492,938 and 5,711,983, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their totals. For example, Crypthecodini um cohnii has been manipulated to produce very high levels of DHA. This organism can be grown on a large scale and the biomass can be used for the production of an oil containing DHA. Suitable processes for producing a mixture containing DHA from C. cohni i are provided in the patents of E.U.A. Nos. 5,397,591 and 5,492,938, each of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by way of reference thereto. The nutritional supplement of the present invention also encompasses any new source of DHA that can be synthetically developed or through the genetic manipulation of organisms, such as plants and / or plants bearing oleaginous. For example, the genes of desaturase and elongase have been identified from many organisms and these could be manipulated to create plant cells or other host cells to cause them to produce large amounts of lipids containing DHA at low cost. Therefore, the use of these synthetic or recombinant DHA containing lipids is contemplated in the present invention. In certain aspects of the present invention, the nutritional supplement comprises a mixture of lipid sources comprising two or more canola oil, oil soybean, high oleic sunflower oil (HoSun), medium chain triglyceride oil (MCT), corn oil and in certain aspects of the present invention, the mixture comprises a combination of all five of these oils. In other aspects of the present invention, the mixture comprises a combination of all five of these oils. In other aspects, the mixture of lipid sources comprises a mixture of canola oil, soybean oil, high oleic sunflower oil, medium chain triglyceride oil (MCT), and corn oil; and in combination with DHA oil, provides the nutritional supplement with a ratio of? -6:? -3 fatty acids of about 6: 1 or less. In certain aspects of the present invention, the nutritional supplement may also contain other ingredients in addition to the carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and DHA described previously, such as one or more vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fibers, flavoring agents, coloring agents, preservatives, emulsifiers and other food supplements, and mixtures thereof. The methods and compositions of the present invention may optionally include one or more of the following vitamins or derivatives thereof, including, but not limited to, biotin, vitamin Bx, thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, vitamin B2, riboflavin, flavin mononucleotide. , flavin adenine dinucleotide, pyridoxine hydrochloride, flavin mononhydrate, folic acid, vitamin B3, niacin, nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, niacinamide, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, tryptophan, biotin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B, vitamin B 2, cobalamin, methylcobalamin, deoxyadenosylcobalamin, cyanocobalamin, calcium pantothenate , pantothenic acid, vitamin C, ascorbic acid, vitamin A, retinol, retinal, retinoic acid, beta-carotene, vitamin D, vitamin D3, calciferol, cholecalciferol, dihydroxyvitamin D, 1, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, 7-dehydrocholesterol, choline, vitamin E, vitamin E acetate, vitamin K, menadione, menaquinone, phylloquinone, naphthoquinone and mixtures thereof. The methods and compositions of the present invention may include one or more of the following minerals or derivatives thereof, including, but not limited to, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, sodium, docusate sodium, chloride, manganese, magnesium, stearate magnesium, magnesium carbonate, magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium sulfate, copper, cupric sulfate, iodine, boron, zinc, zinc oxide, chromium, molybdenum, iron, carbonyl iron, ferric iron, ferrous fumarate, iron of polysaccharide, fluoride, selenium, molybdenum, calcium phosphate or calcium acetate, potassium phosphate, magnesium sulfate or oxide, sodium chloride, potassium chloride or acetate, ferric orthophosphate, alpha-tocopheryl acetate, sulfate or zinc, gluconate of copper, chloride or chromium picolonate, potassium iodide, sodium selenate, sodium molybdate, phylloquinone, cyanocobalamin, sodium selenite, copper sulfate, inositol, potassium iodide, cobalt and mixtures thereof. Exemplary non-limiting derivatives of mineral compounds include salts, alkali salts, esters and chelates of any mineral compound. The minerals can be added in the form of salts such as calcium phosphate, calcium glycerol phosphate, sodium citrate, potassium chloride, potassium phosphate, magnesium phosphate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, cupric sulfate, manganese sulfate and selenite. sodium. Additional vitamins and minerals may be added as is known in the art. The methods and compositions of the present invention may optionally include one or more of the following flavoring agents including, but not limited to, flavored extracts, volatile oils, cocoa or chocolate flavors, peanut butter flavoring, cookie dusters, vanilla or any other commercially available flavoring. Examples of these useful flavorings include, but are not limited to, pure anise extract, imitation banana extract, imitation cherry extract, chocolate extract, pure lemon extract, pure orange extract, pure mint extract, extract from imitation pineapple, imitation rum extract, imitation strawberry extract or vanilla extract; or volatile oils such as lemon balm oil, berry oil, bergamot oil, cedar oil, cherry oil, cinnamon oil, clove oil or peppermint oil; peanut butter, chocolate flavoring, vanilla biscuit moronas, hard candy made with sugar and butter, toffee and mixtures thereof. The amounts of flavoring agent can vary widely depending on the flavoring agent used. The type and amount of flavoring agent can be selected as is known in the art. The methods and compositions of the present invention can optionally include one or more emulsifiers that can be added for stability of the final product. Examples of suitable emulsifiers include, but are not limited to, lecithin (eg, egg or soy), and / or mono- and di-glycerides, and mixtures thereof. Other emulsifiers are readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the selection of suitable emulsifiers will depend, in part, on the formulation and final product. The methods and compositions of the present invention may optionally include one or more preservatives that may also be added to the nutritional supplement to extend the shelf life thereof. Suitable preservatives include, but are not limited to, potassium sorbate, sodium sorbate, potassium benzoate, sodium benzoate and disodium calcium EDTA and mixtures thereof. The methods and compositions of the present invention may optionally include one or more fiber sources, including but not limited to, soy fiber, pea peel fiber, soybean fiber, acacia gum and mixtures thereof. The nutritional supplement of the present invention encompasses any source of fibers that may be of natural, synthetic occurrence or develop through the genetic manipulation of organisms, whether this new source is now known or developed later. The methods and compositions of the present invention may optionally include one or more stabilizers. Suitable stabilizers for use in the methods and compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to, gum arabic, ghatti gum, karaya gum, gum tragacanth, agar, furcellar, guar gum, gelan gum, locust bean gum, pectin, low methoxyl pectin, pectin, gelatin, microcrystalline cellulose, CMC (sodium carboxymethylcellulose), methylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, DATEM (diacetyltartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides), dextran, carrageenan and mixtures thereof. Except for the amounts of fatty acids? -3 and? -6, the different amounts of the mentioned ingredients above which may be added to the nutritional supplements of the present invention may be selected as is known in the art. For example, carbohydrates are present in the nutritional supplements of the present invention in an amount that can vary from about 1 grams (g) / 100 kilocalories (kcal) to about 50 g / 100 kcal. In other embodiments, the amount of carbohydrate can vary from about 5 g / 100 kcal to about 25 g / 100 kcal. In yet other embodiments, the amount of carbohydrate can vary from about 10 g / 100 kcal to about 15 g / 100 kcal. In some embodiments, the amount of carbohydrates that is present in the nutritional supplements of the present invention may be about 12.8 g / 100 kcal. The proteins are present in the nutritional supplements of the present invention in an amount that can vary from about 0.1 g / 100 kcal to about 20 g / 100 kcal. In other embodiments, the amount of protein may vary from about 0.5 g / 100 kcal to about 10 g / 100 kcal. In yet other embodiments, the amount of protein may vary from about 1 g / 100 kcal to about 5 g / 100 kcal. In some embodiments, the amount of protein that is present in the nutritional supplements of the present invention may be approximately 2.8 g / 100 kcal. Lipids are present in the nutritional supplements of the present invention in an amount that can vary from about 0.1 g / 100 kcal to about 50 g / 100 kcal. In other embodiments, the amount of lipids may vary from about 1 g / 100 kcal to about 20 g / 100 kcal. In still other embodiments, the amount of lipids may vary from about 2 g / 100 kcal to about 10 g / 100 kcal. In some embodiments, the amount of lipids that is present in the nutritional supplements of the present invention may be about 4.2 g / 100 kcal. When the lipid source comprises linoleic acid, the amount of linoleic acid present in the nutritional supplements of the present invention may vary from about 0.1 g / 100 kcal to about 20 g / 100 kcal. In other embodiments, the amount of linoleic acid may vary from about 0.5 g / 100 kcal to about 5 g / 100 kcal or the amount may vary from about 0.75 g / 100 kcal to about 2 g / 100 kcal. In still other embodiments, the amount of linoleic acid may be about 1 g / 100 kcal. When the lipid source comprises α-linolenic acid, the amount of α-linolenic acid present in the nutritional supplements of the present invention can vary from 0.01 g / 100 kcal to approximately 10 g / 100 kcal. In other embodiments, the amount of α-linolenic acid may vary from about 0.05 g / 100 kcal to about 1 g / 100 kcal or the amount may vary from about 0.1 g / 100 kcal to about 0.2 g / 100 kcal. In still other embodiments, the amount of α-linolenic acid may be about 0.16 g / 100 kcal. The amount of DHA present in the nutritional supplements of the present invention may vary from 0.1 milligram (mg) / 100 kcal to about 1 g / 100 kcal. In other embodiments, the amount of DHA may vary from about 1 mg / 100 kcal to about 200 mg / 100 kcal or the amount may vary from about 5 mg / 100 kcal to about 50 mg / 100 kcal. In still other embodiments, the amount of DHA can vary from about 7.5 mg / 100 kcal to about 25 mg / 100 kcal. In certain aspects of the present invention, the amount of DHA may be about 17 mg / 100 kcal. The amount of DHA present in the nutritional supplements of the present invention can vary from a wide range based on the caloric content of the supplement. In some embodiments, the amount of DHA present in the nutritional supplements and methods described herein may comprise a significant level of DHA. As used herein, the terms "level Significant "or" significant levels "refer to an amount of DHA that can provide a health benefit to at least one of the subjects described herein, however slight the benefit may be. they are not limited to, increased dietary intakes, increased physical growth, improved brain and / or eye development, enhanced immune function and health, and improved cardiovascular function and health.In other aspects of the present invention, the nutritional supplement may comprise a mixture of sources of lipids comprising% w / w of the total lipid component of between about 10% and about 50% canola oil, between about 5% and about 40% soybean oil, between about 5% and about 40% high oleic sunflower oil, between about 5% and about 40% medium chain triglyceride oil (MCT), between approximately 1% and about 20% corn oil and between about 0.1% and about 10% of a source of DHA. In one embodiment, the nutritional supplement mentioned above has a fatty acid ratio? -6:? -3 of about 6: 1 or less. The term "percentages by weight" and the acronym "% p" or "p / p" as used herein refer to percentages by weight based on the total weight of either a component of the nutritional supplement, which will be specified, or will be based in the nutritional supplement in its final form with all the ingredients added. In still other aspects of the present invention, the nutritional supplement of the present invention may comprise a mixture of lipid sources comprising% w / w of the total lipid component about 29.3% canola oil, about 20.7% oil. soybeans, around 20.5% high oleic sunflower oil, about 19.8% medium chain triglyceride oil, about 8.8% corn oil and about 0.95% from a source of DHA. In another embodiment, the nutritional supplement mentioned above has a fatty acid ratio? -6:? -3 of about 6: 1 or less. When vitamin A is present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention, it is suitably present on a scale of about 1 mcg / 100 kcal to about 500 mcg / 100 kcal. Most suitably, vitamin A may be present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention in an amount of about 70 mcg / 100 kcal. When vitamin D is present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention, it is suitably present on a scale of about 0.1 mcg / 100 kcal to about 100 mcg / 100 kcal. Very adequately, vitamin D can be present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention in an amount of about 1.24 mcg / 100 kcal. When vitamin E is present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention, it is suitably present on a scale of about 0.1 mg to about 100 mg. More suitably, vitamin E may be present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention in an amount of about 2.36 mg. When vitamin K is present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention, it is suitably present on a scale of about 0.1 mcg / 100 kcal to about 100 mcg / 100 kcal. More suitably, vitamin K may be present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention in an amount of about 5.4 mcg / 100 kcal. When vitamin Bi is present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention, it is suitably present on a scale of about 0.01 mg / 100 kcal to about 10 mg / 100 kcal. More suitably, vitamin Bi may be present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention in an amount of about 0.16 mg / 100 kcal. When vitamin B2 is present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention, it is present on a scale of about 0.01 mg / 100 kcal to about 10 mg / 100 kcal. More suitably, vitamin B2 may be present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention in an amount of about 0.2 mg / 100 kcal. When vitamin Bd is present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention, it is suitably present on a scale of about 0.01 mg / 100 kcal to about 10 mg / 100 kcal. More suitably, vitamin B6 may be present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention in an amount of about 0.2 mg / 100 kcal. When Vitamin Bi2 is present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention, it is suitably present on a scale of about 0.01 mcg / 100 kcal to about 10 mcg / 100 kcal. More suitably, vitamin Bi2 may be present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention in an amount of about 0.56 mg / 100 kcal. When niacin is present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention, it is suitably present on a scale of about 0.1 mg / 100 kcal to about 100 mg / 100 kcal. More suitably, niacin may be present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention in an amount of about 2.45 mg / 100 kcal. When folic acid is present in the methods and / or The compositions of the present invention are suitably present on a scale of about 0.1 mcg / 100 kcal to about 500 mcg / 100 kcal. More suitably, folic acid may be present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention in an amount of about 20 mcg / 100 kcal. When pantothenic acid is present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention, it is suitably present on a scale of about 0.1 mg / 100 kcal to about 100 mg / 100 kcal. More suitably, pantothenic acid may be present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention in an amount of about 1.24 mg / 100 kcal. When biotin is present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention, it is suitably present on a scale of about 0.1 mcg / 100 kcal to about 100 mcg / 100 kcal. More suitably, biotin may be present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention in an amount of about 15.2 mcg / 100 kcal. When vitamin C is present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention, it is suitably present on a scale of about 0.1 mg / 100 kcal to about 1 g / 100 kcal. More suitably, vitamin C may be present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention in an amount of about 23.2 mg / 100 kcal. When choline is present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention, it is suitably present on a scale of about 0.1 mg / 100 kcal to about 500 mg / 100 kcal. More suitably, choline may be present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention in an amount of about 25.2 mg / 100 kcal. When inositol is present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention, it is suitably present on a scale of about 0.1 mg / 100 kcal to about 500 mg / 100 kcal. More suitably, inositol may be present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention in an amount of about 6.8 mg / 100 kcal. When taurine is present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention, it is suitably present on a scale of about 0.1 mg / 100 kcal to about 500 mg / 100 kcal. More suitably, taurine may be present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention in an amount of about 6 mg / 100 kcal. When carnitine is present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention, it is present suitably on a scale of about 0.1 mg / 100 kcal to about 500 mg / 100 kcal. More suitably, carnitine may be present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention in an amount of about 6 mg / 100 kcal. When calcium is present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention, it is suitably present on a scale of about 0.1 mg / 100 kcal to about 1 g / 100 kcal. More suitably, calcium may be present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention in an amount of about 96 mg / 100 kcal. When phosphorus is present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention, it is suitably present on a scale of about 0.1 mg / 100 kcal to about 1 g / 100 kcal. More suitably, phosphorus may be present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention in an amount of about 80 mg / 100 kcal. When magnesium is present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention, it is suitably present on a scale of about 0.1 mg / 100 kcal to about 500 mg / 100 kcal. More suitably, magnesium may be present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention in an amount of about 14. mg / 100 kcal. When iron is present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention, it is suitably present on a scale of about 0.1 mg / 100 kcal to about 100 mg / 100 kcal. More suitably, the iron may be present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention in an amount of about 1 mg / 100 kcal. When zinc is present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention, it is suitably present on a scale of about 0.1 mg / 100 kcal to about 100 mg / 100 kcal. More suitably, zinc may be present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention in an amount of about 1 mg / 100 kcal. When manganese is present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention, it is suitably present on a scale of about 0.1 mg / 100 kcal to about 10 mg / 100 kcal. More suitably, manganese may be present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention in an amount of about 0.16 mg / 100 kcal. When copper is present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention, it is suitably present on a scale of about 0.1 mcg / 100 kcal to approximately 1 mg / 100 kcal. More suitably, copper may be present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention in an amount of about 80 mcg / 100 kcal. When iodine is present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention, is suitably present on a scale of about 0.1 mcg / 100 kcal to about 100 mcg / 100 kcal. More suitably, the iodine may be present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention in an amount of about 12 mcg / 100 kcal. When selenium is present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention, it is suitably present on a scale of about 0.1 mcg / 100 kcal to about 1 mg / 100 kcal. More suitably, selenium may be present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention in an amount of about 3 mcg / 100 kcal. When sodium is present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention, it is suitably present on a scale of about 0.1 mg / 100 kcal to about 500 mg / 100 kcal. More suitably, sodium may be present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention in an amount of between about 55 and 60 mg / 100 kcal.

When potassium is present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention, it is suitably present on a scale of about 0.1 mg / 100 kcal to about 1 g / 100 kcal. More suitably, potassium may be present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention in an amount of about 180 mg / 100 kcal. When chloride is present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention, it is suitably present on a scale of about 0.1 mg / 100 kcal to about 1 g / 100 kcal. More suitably, the chloride may be present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention in an amount of about 70 mg / 100 kcal. The amount of sodium, potassium and chloride present in the nutritional supplements of the present invention can vary within a wide range based on the caloric content of the supplement. When chromium is present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention, it is suitably present on a scale of about 1 mcg / 100 kcal to about 500 mcg / 100 kcal. When molybdenum is present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention, it is suitably present on a scale of about 1 mcg / 100 kcal to about 500 mcg / 100 kcal.

When fluoride is present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention, it is suitably present on a scale of about 1 mg / 100 kcal to about 500 mg / 100 kcal. When a fiber source is present in the methods and / or compositions of the present invention, the amount of fiber may vary from about 0.01 g / 100 kcal to about 100 g / 100 kcal. In other embodiments, the amount of fiber may vary from about 0.1 g / 100 kcal to about 10 g / 100 kcal or the amount may vary from about 0.5 g / 100 kcal to about 1 g / 100 kcal. In other embodiments, the fiber amount can be 0.6 g / 100 kcal. The nutritional supplement of the present invention may also contain one or more prebiotics. The term "prebiotic" means a nondigestible food ingredient that stimulates the growth and / or activity of prebiotics. Any prebiotic known in the art will be acceptable in this modality. The prebiotics of the present invention may include lactulose, galacto-oligosaccharide, fructo-oligosaccharide, isomalto-oligosaccharide, soy oligosaccharides, lactosucrose, xylo-oligosaccharide, inulin, polydextrose and gentio-oligosaccharides. The nutritional supplement of the invention can also be administered to a subject in combination with milk human or animal (for example, cow's or goat's milk). In some modalities, the liquid nutritional supplement contains around 250 kcal per serving. In other modalities, the liquid nutritional supplement contains less than 200 kcal per serving. In another embodiment, the liquid nutritional supplement contains between about 150 and 200 kcal per serving. In yet another embodiment, the liquid nutritional supplement contains between about 160 and 180 kcal per serving. In a further mode, the liquid nutritional supplement contains about 170 kcal per serving. In some embodiments, the present invention is designed to deliver between about 7 and 20 mg / 100 kcal of DHA in a liquid nutritional supplement containing 250 kcal per serving. Thus, providing children between the ages of 1 and 10 with 2 to 4 servings of the supplement daily would result in around 35 to about 200 mg of supplemental DHA per day, and therefore, would solve some of the problems between intake of DHA in this age group in relation to the desired level of DHA consumption based on existing recommendations. In other embodiments, the present invention is designed to deliver between about 7 and 75 mg / 100 kcal of DHA in a liquid nutritional supplement containing less than about 200 kcal per serving. In yet another embodiment, the present invention is designed to provide between 1 and 15 mg / 100 kcal of DHA in a liquid nutritional supplement containing between 150 and 200 kcal per serving. In a particular embodiment, the present invention is designed to deliver between 7 and 75 mg / 100 kcal of DHA in a liquid nutritional supplement containing between about 160 and 180 kcal per serving. In another embodiment, the present invention is designed to deliver between 7 and 75 mg / 100 kcal of DHA in a liquid nutritional supplement containing approximately 170 kcal per serving. In certain other modalities, the liquid nutritional supplement contains less than about 200 kcal per serving and does not contain an artificial sweetener. In yet another embodiment, the liquid nutritional supplement contains between about 150 and 200 kcal per serving and does not contain an artificial sweetener. In another embodiment, the liquid nutritional supplement contains between about 160 and 180 kcal per serving and does not contain an artificial sweetener. In yet another embodiment, the liquid nutritional supplement contains approximately 170 kcal per serving and does not contain an artificial sweetener. The nutritional supplement of the invention can be provided in any suitable form for administration to a subject. For example, the nutritional supplement can be prepared in forms such as a liquid, powder, liquid / powder concentrate, liquid form to feed, caplets, tablets, pills, capsules, purees, chewable tablets, quick-dissolving tablets, effervescent tablets, reconstitutable powders, elixirs, solutions, suspensions, emulsions, multilayer tablets, two-layer tablets, soft gelatine capsules, hard gelatine capsules, troches, chewable troches, spheres, granules, particles, microparticles, dispersible granules, sachets, containers, storage sites, ingestibles, injectables, infusions, healthy bars, cookies, sweets, animal feed, cereals, cereal coatings, food, soups and soup concentrates, nutritious foods, functional foods and combinations thereof. However, in certain aspects of the present invention, the nutritional supplement is provided in a liquid form. The preparation of the above dosage forms can be carried out as is known in the art. The nutritional supplements of this invention can be manufactured using techniques well known to those skilled in the art. For example, several processing techniques exist to produce powdered, ready-to-feed, and liquid supplements. Typically, these techniques include the formation of a suspension from one or more solutions that may contain water and one or more of the following: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, stabilizers, vitamins and minerals. The pH of the The suspension can be revised and, if required, adjusted to a relatively neutral pH, ie, from about 6.5 to about 7.5, preferably about 7.0. The pH can be adjusted as required using any base compatible with the present compositions, preferably citric acid, potassium hydroxide or dibasic sodium phosphate. The suspension is then emulsified, homogenized and cooled. Several other solutions can be added to the suspension before processing, after processing or at both times. In certain aspects of the present invention, the liquid nutritional supplement is sterile. In these embodiments, the supplement is aseptically sterilized and can be diluted for use on a ready-to-feed basis or stored in a liquid or powder. Homogenization and sterilization can be achieved using standard equipment known to skilled artisans. If the resulting nutritional supplement is intended to be a ready-to-feed liquid or concentrated liquid, an adequate amount of water could be added before sterilization. If the resulting nutritional supplement tries to be a powder, the suspension will be heated and dried to obtain a powder. The powder resulting from the drying can be mixed dry with additional ingredients, if desired. The nutritional supplement can be packaged for distribution and sale as desired using standard equipment known in the art. Variations in any of these processes manufacturing are known or will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention is not intended to be limited to any particular processing process. The following examples describe various embodiments of the present invention. Other embodiments within the scope of the claims herein will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification or practice of the invention described herein. It is intended that the specification, together with the examples, be considered only as exemplary, with the scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims after the examples. In the examples, all percentages are given on a weight basis unless otherwise indicated. Example 1 This example illustrates one embodiment of the liquid nutritional supplement composition of the present invention. Table 1 illustrates the ingredients present in one embodiment in the present liquid nutritional supplement and their amounts in grams (g) or milligrams (mg), expressed per liter (L). Table 2 illustrates the amount of base nutrients (proteins, fats and carbohydrates), as well as vitamins and mineral nutrients present in 0.23 liters of a form of the present liquid nutritional supplement. For purposes of the present composition, the caloric content in 0.23 liters of one embodiment of the present liquid nutritional supplement is approximately 250 kcal.

Table 1 Information and concentrations of ingredients (per liter) Table 2 Nutrient information Table 3 illustrates the concentration of components relevant in the nutritional supplement of example 1 expressed in grams per liter. Table 3 Component concentrations (per liter) The caloric distribution of the nutritional supplement of example 1 is illustrated in table 4. Table 4 Caloric distribution The following table 5 describes the content of the LCPUFAs in the nutritional supplement of example 1.

Table 5 LCPUFA information Example 2 This example illustrates another embodiment of the liquid nutritional supplement composition of the present invention. Table 6 illustrates the ingredients present in one embodiment of the present liquid nutritional supplement and their amounts expressed as a percentage by weight of the total weight of the nutritional supplement. Table 7 illustrates the amount of base nutrients (proteins, fats and carbohydrates), as well as vitamins and mineral nutrients present in 0.23 liters of a form of the present liquid nutritional supplement. In this example, the caloric content in 0.23 liters of one embodiment of the present liquid nutritional supplement is approximately 170 kcal.

Table 6 Information and concentrations of ingredients (per liter) Table 7 Nutrient information Table 8 illustrates the concentration of relevant components in the nutritional supplement of Example 2 expressed in grams per liter.

Table 8 Component concentrations (per liter) The caloric distribution of the nutritional supplement of example 2 is illustrated in table 9. Table 9 Caloric distribution EXAMPLE 3 This example illustrates a method for making a nutritional supplement embodiment of the present invention. The composition of one embodiment of the present invention can be found in the list of components of Table 1. In this embodiment, the protein source comprises a concentrate of milk proteins, which is a mixture of casein and whey protein at a ratio of 8: 2. The source of lipids comprises a mixture of the following on a w / w basis of the total lipid content: 29.3% canola oil, 20.7% soybean oil, 20.5% high oleic sunflower oil, 19.8% triglyceride oil of medium chain, 8.8% of corn oil and 0.9% of DHA oil. The composition it has a DHA content of around 17 mg / 100 kcal. The carbohydrate source comprises a mixture of maltodextrin and sucrose. The composition also comprises a suitable amount of carrageenan and a flavoring agent. A procedure that can be followed to prepare the liquid nutritional supplement of example 1 comprises the following steps: 1. The protein mixture and the carbohydrate mixture can be dispersed in water at room temperature with suitable mixing. 2. The pH of the dispersion can then be adjusted to about 7 with potassium hydroxide. 3. All vitamins and minerals can be dissolved in water, preheat to about 76.667 ° C and the resulting solution can be added to the protein / carbohydrate dispersion. 4. The pH can be re-adjusted to around 7. 5. The lipid mixture can be preheated to about 71,111 ° C and then added to the carbohydrate / protein / vitamin and mineral suspension with mixed properly. Any optional ingredient can also be added at this time. 6. The mixture can then be heated with direct steam injection to 107.22CC for 45 seconds, and then cooled by vaporization to 71,111 ° C. 7. The mixture can then be homogenized twice using a two stage homogenizer, at a total pressure of 210.9 kg / cm2 gauge, with 175.75 kg / cm2 gauge for the first stage and 35.15 kg / cm2 gauge for the second stage. 8. The mixture can then be sterilized aseptically at 131.11 ° C for 5 seconds at 140.60 kg / cm2 gauge pressure and then packaged using a Dole Aspetic canning unit, model 1305. All references cited in this description, including without limitation all the documents, publications, patents, patent applications, presentations, texts, reports, manuscripts, brochures, books, Internet addresses, journal articles, newspapers and the like, are incorporated herein by reference in this description in their entirety . The discussion of references herein is intended simply to summarize the assertions made by their authors and no admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The applicants are reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and relevance of the cited references. Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described using specific terms, devices and methods, this description has illustrative purposes only. The words used are words of description rather than limitation. It should be understood that changes and variations may be made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims. In addition, it must be understood that the aspects of the different modalities can be exchanged both completely and in part. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims (15)

1. CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property: 1. A nutritional supplement for administration to children, characterized in that it comprises: a protein component; a carbohydrate component and a lipid component comprising a source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), wherein the nutritional supplement contains DHA in an amount between about 5 mg / 100 kcal of supplement and about 50 mg / 100 kcal of supplement, and wherein the carbohydrate component comprises maltodextrin.
2. 2. The nutritional supplement according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a liquid.
3. 3. The nutritional supplement according to claim 1, characterized in that the carbohydrate component comprises a mixture of maltodextrin and sucrose.
4. 4. The nutritional supplement according to claim 1, characterized in that the protein component comprises milk protein concentrate.
5. 5. The nutritional supplement according to claim 1, characterized in that the lipid component comprises a mixture of at least one source of linoleic acid and at least one source of α-linolenic acid.
6. 6. The nutritional supplement according to claim 1, characterized in that the liquid component comprises a mixture of canola oil, soybean oil, high oleic sunflower oil, medium chain triglyceride oil (MCT) and corn oil .
7. 7. The nutritional supplement according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains DHA in an amount between about 0.1 mg / 100 kcal of supplement and about 1 g / 100 kcal of supplement.
8. 8. The nutritional supplement according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains DHA in an amount between about 7.5 mg / 100 kcal of supplement and about 25 mg / 100 kcal of supplement.
9. 9. The nutritional supplement according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains DHA in an amount of about 17 mg / 100 kcal of supplement.
10. 10. The nutritional supplement according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises at least one prebiotic.
11. 11. The nutritional supplement according to claim 10, characterized in that the prebiotic is selected from the group consisting of lactulose, galacto-oligosaccharide, fructo-oligosaccharide, isomalto-oligosaccharide, soy oligosaccharides, lactosucrose, xylo-oligosaccharide, inulin, polydextrose and gentio-oligosaccharides.
12. 12. The nutritional supplement according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains approximately 250 kcal per serving.
13. 13. The nutritional supplement according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains between about 160 and 180 kcal per serving.
14. 14. A nutritional supplement for administration to children, characterized in that it comprises: a protein component; a carbohydrate component and a lipid component comprising, in% w / w of the total lipid component: between about 10% and about 50% cane oil; between about 5% and about 40% soybean oil; between about 5% and about 40% of high oleic sunflower oil; between about 5% and about 40% medium chain triglyceride oil; between about 1% and about 20% corn oil and between about 0.1% and about 10% of a docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) source.
15. 15. The nutritional supplement according to claim 14, characterized in that the lipid component comprises, in% w / w of the total lipid component: 29.3% canola oil; 20.7% soybean oil; 20.5% sunflower oil with high oleic content; 19.8% medium chain triglyceride oil; 8.8% corn oil and 0.9% from a source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).