Title:  Diabetic supplement bar

United States Patent:  6,156,738

Appl. No.:  241004

A novel diabetic supplement bar which includes about 10-60% by weight simple carbohydrate, about 1-25% by weight protein, about 2-40% by weight lipid and about 1-60%, preferably about 5-35% by weight complex carbohydrate. This formulation is particularly useful for the treatment or prevention of nighttime hypoglycemia in diabetic patients who require insulin injections.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention features a novel diabetic supplement bar which is used for a treatment or prevention of nighttime hypoglycemia in a diabetic patient. In preferred embodiments, the diabetic supplement bar provides 100 kcal nutrition per bar and has 1 "bread exchange" and 1/2 "fat exchange" as those terms have been defined by the American Diabetes Association.

The diabetic supplement bar includes about 10-60% by weight simple carbohydrate, more preferably the simple carbohydrate source provides about 4-55 kcal per 100 kcal. A simple carbohydrate source which provides about 40 kcal per 100 kcal is most preferred. The preferred simple carbohydrate is sucrose; the simple carbohydrate can also be glucose or dextrose.

The diabetic supplement bar further includes about 1-25% by weight protein, preferably about 10-20 kcal per 100 kcal, most preferably about 12 kcal per 100 kcal. In preferred embodiments, only the highest biological value proteins are used, e.g., whey, lactalbumin, casein, egg white, egg solids, soy and delactosed milk solid. Preferably, the protein source may be lactose-free.

The diabetic supplement bar further includes about 2-40% by weight lipid, preferably with the lipid source providing about 10-40 kcal per 100 kcal, most preferably about 27 kcal per 100 kcal. In preferred embodiments, the lipid source comprises a medium chain triglyceride and a long chain triglyceride, such as oils rich in gamma linolenic acid. The source of medium chain triglycerides is preferably coconut oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, or mixtures thereof. The source of long chain triglycerides is preferably canola oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, olive oil, marine oils (e.g., menhaden oil), peanut oil, or mixtures thereof. In further preferred embodiments, the lipid source is provided in an amount sufficient to delay gastric emptying.

The diabetic supplement bar further includes about 1-60%, preferably about 5-35% by weight complex carbohydrate, preferably a complex carbohydrate source which provides about 10-35 kcal per 100 kcal, most preferably about 20 kcal per 100 kcal. The preferred complex carbohydrate is uncooked cornstarch. In other preferred embodiments, the complex carbohydrates can be selected from nuts, barley, bulgur, pasta, parboiled rice, dried legumes, or mixtures thereof.

In another aspect, the invention features the diabetic supplement bar which includes, in addition to the components described above (e.g., simple carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and complex carbohydrates) vitamins and minerals in accordance with, or approximately, the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) (now called the Reference Daily Intake (RDI)).

The invention also features the diabetic supplement bar which includes, in addition to the components described above, inactive ingredients such as emulsifiers, artificial sweeteners and/or flavoring.

The invention also features, a method of treating or preventing nighttime hypoglycemia in a diabetic patient by administering a diabetic supplement bar to the patient, the diabetic supplement bar including about 10-60% by weight simple carbohydrate, about 1-25% by weight protein, about 2-40% by weight lipid and about 1-60%, preferably about 5-35% by weight complex carbohydrate.

In another aspect, the invention also features a method of controlling nighttime blood sugar levels in a diabetic patient by administering a diabetic supplement bar to the patient near bedtime, the diabetic supplement bar including about 10-60% by weight simple carbohydrate, about 1-25% by weight protein, about 2-40% by weight lipid and about 1-60%, preferably about 5-35% by weight complex carbohydrate.

Claim 1 of 27 Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method of controlling nighttime blood sugar levels in an insulin dependent diabetic patient comprising administering a diabetic supplement bar to the patient near bedtime, the diabetic supplement bar comprising about 10-60% by weight simple carbohydrate, about 1-25% by weight protein, about 2-40% by weight lipid and about 1-60% by weight complex carbohydrate.

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