1. A therapeutic or prophylactic method of treating atherosclerosis, thrombosis, heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular conditions characterized by increased LDL cholesterol levels, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a composition comprising an effective amount of each of beta-glucan, soy protein, phytosterols, and omega-3 fatty acids, wherein the composition contains about 403030% carbohydratesproteinfat on an available energy basis,
and wherein the subject maintains a diet that is substantially weight-maintaining on a total calorie basis.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring the LDL cholesterol level of the subject.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition possesses a low glycemic index.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is administered at least twice a day.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the composition is administered at breakfast and dinner.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the administration of the composition continues for at least four weeks.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the LDL cholesterol level of the subject declines by about 5 mgdl or more.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the LDL cholesterol level declines by about 8 mgdl or more.
9. The method of claim 6, wherein the total cholesterol level of the subject declines by about 5 mgdl or more.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the total cholesterol level of the subject declines by about 7 mgdl or more.
11. A nutritional bar or food product or food ingredient comprising a LDL-C reducing effective amount of each of beta glucan, soy protein, phytosterols, and at least one omega-3 fatty acid,
wherein protein is present at about 10-20% by weight, phytosterols are present at about 1 to 2% by weight, omega-3 fatty acids are present at about 1% by weight, and soluble oat fiber is present at about 5 to 6%,
and wherein the bar contains a content of about 403030% carbsproteinfat on an available energy basis.
12. The nutritional bar or food product of claim 11, further comprising cocoa powder or cocoa liquor.
13. The nutritional bar or food product of claim 11, further comprising fruit or fruit flavor.
14. The nutritional bar or food product of claim 11, further comprising sunflower oil.
15. The nutritional bar or food product of claim 11, further comprising fructose.
16. The nutritional bar or food product of claim 11, further comprising inulin.
17. The nutritional bar or food product of claim 11, further comprising chromium picolinate.
18. The nutritional bar or food product of claim 11, further comprising an antioxidant food ingredient.
19. The nutritional bar or food product of claim 18, wherein the antioxidant food ingredient is a cocoa product.
20. The nutritional bar or food product of claim 18, wherein the antioxidant food product is cinnamon.
21. The nutritional bar or food product of claim 11, wherein the water activity level is about 0.5 or lower.
22. The nutritional bar or food product of claim 19, wherein the water activity level is about 0.5 or lower.
23. The nutritional bar or food product of claim 11, wherein the amount of beta glucan is about 1 to 2 grams, the amount of soy protein is about 10 to 15 grams, the amount of phytosterols is about 0.5 to 1 grams, and the amount of omega-3 fatty acids is about 0.1 to 0.2 grams.
24. The nutritional bar or food product of claim 23, wherein the amount of beta glucan is about 1.5 grams, the amount of soy protein is about 12.5 grams, the amount of phytosterols is about 0.65 grams, and the amount of omega-3 fatty acids is about 0.15 grams.
25. The nutritional bar or food product of claim 23, further comprising a cocoa product.
26. The nutritional bar or food product of claim 24, further comprising a cocoa product.
27. The nutritional bar or food product of claim 23, further comprising cinnamon or a cinnamon flavor.
28. The nutritional bar or food product of claim 24, further comprising cinnamon or a cinnamon flavor.
29. A method of producing a nutritional food product comprising, preparing a dry ingredient mixture comprising soy protein, soluble oat fiber, and dry milk;
preparing a wet mixture comprising liquid fructose (about 90% in water), sunflower oil, phytosterols, and an omega-3 fatty acid;
mixing the dry and wet mixtures together with one or more flavors or flavoring ingredients, and forming the mixture into a final shape and size.
30. The method of claim 29, further comprising enrobing the final shape.
31. The method of claim 29, wherein the flavor or flavoring ingredients comprise a cocoa product.
32. The method of claim 29, wherein the flavor or flavoring ingredients comprise a fruit or fruit product.
33. A method of testing the effect of a food product composition comprising beta glucan, soy protein, phytosterols, and at least one omega-3 fatty acid,
the method comprising orally administering to an individual the food product composition at least once a day, and measuring the status one or more of LDL-C levels, HDL-C levels, triglyceride levels, C-reactive protein, or total cholesterol levels after administration.
34. The method of claim 33, wherein the composition comprises about 10 to 15 grams of soy protein, about 0.6 to 1 grams phytosterols, about 1 to 2 grams soluble oat fiber, and about 0.1 to 0.2 grams omega-3 fatty acids.
35. The method of claim 24, wherein the testing is repeated on a substantially daily basis for a period of at least about two weeks.
36. The nutritional bar or food product of claim 18, wherein the at least one omega-3 fatty acid comprises DHA.
37. The nutritional bar or food product of claim 18, wherein the at least one omega-3 fatty acid comprises EPA.
38. The nutritional bar or food product of claim 18, wherein the at least one omega-3 fatty acid present is substantially DHA.
39. The nutritional bar or food product of claim 18, wherein the at least one omega-3 fatty acids present is substantially EPA.
40. The method of claim 33, further comprising administering one or more compounds to reduce LDL or total cholesterol levels from the group statins, fibrates, resin-based therapies, and ezetimibe.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A fluid accumulator arrangement suitable for use with a compression-ignition internal combustion engine, including a first storage volume, a second storage volume, a valve fluidly connecting the first storage volume and the second storage volume, and control module arranged to receive a signal indicative of an engine start event, in which circumstances the control module is operable to:
i) determine a first pressure value indicative of fluid pressure in the first storage volume;
ii) determine a second pressure value indicative of fluid pressure in the second storage volume;
iii) calculate a third pressure value indicative of fluid pressure in the combined volume of the first storage volume and second storage volume;
iv) compare the third pressure value with a predetermined threshold value;
iv) operate the valve means to fluidly link the first storage volume and the second storage volume if the third pressure value is substantially equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold.
2. The fluid accumulator arrangement of claim 1, wherein the predetermined threshold value is indicative of the minimum fluid pressure required in the first storage volume required to initiate a combustion event in an associated engine.
3. The fluid accumulator arrangement of claim 1, wherein the control module is arranged to receive a signal of an engine stop event and, in response, configures the valve to isolate the first storage volume from the second storage volume prior to a subsequent engine start event.
4. The fluid accumulator arrangement of claim 1, wherein the control module is configured to operate the valve during operation of an associated engine to optimize the pressure in the second storage volume.
5. The fluid accumulator arrangement of claim 4, wherein the control module is configured to monitor the pressure of fuel in the first storage volume and the second storage volume when the volumes are isolated from one another, and is configured to link the first storage volume to the second storage volume for a predetermined time period in circumstances where the pressure in the first storage volume exceeds the pressure in the second storage volume.
6. A fluid accumulator arrangement suitable for use with a compression-ignition internal combustion engine, including a first storage volume, a second storage volume, a valve fluidly connecting the first storage volume and the second storage volume, and a control module arranged to receive a signal indicative of the stability of an engine operating condition after the engine has reached normal operation following an engine start and being operable to control the valve in response to the signal.
7. The fluid accumulator arrangement of claim 6, wherein in circumstances in which the signal indicates a relatively stable engine operating condition the control module operates the valve such that the first storage volume communicates with the second storage volume.
8. The fluid accumulator arrangement of claim 6, wherein in circumstances in which the signal indicates a relatively unstable engine operating condition, the control module operates the valve such that the first storage volume is isolated from the second storage volume.
9. The fluid accumulator arrangement of claim 6, wherein the signal is a value indicating the demanded fuel pressure in the first storage volume.
10. The fluid accumulator arrangement of claim 6, wherein the control module is arranged to receive a signal indicative of an engine start event, in which circumstances the valve control module operates the valve such that the first storage volume is isolated from the second storage volume.
11. A fluid accumulator arrangement suitable for use with a compression ignition internal-combustion engine comprising a first storage volume and a second storage volume, and a valve fluidly connected between the first storage volume and the second storage volume, wherein the valve is a three-way control valve and wherein, in a first position, the first storage volume communicates with the second storage volume, in a second position the first storage volume is isolated from the second storage and, in a third position, one of the first or second storage volumes communicates with a low pressure drain.
12. The fluid accumulator arrangement of claim 11, further comprising a further one or more storage volumes each provided with a respective two-way valve or three-way valve to connect said further one or more storage volumes to the first storage volume.
13. The fluid accumulator arrangement of claim 11, wherein the first storage volume communicates with one or more fuel injectors.
14. The fluid accumulator arrangement of claim 11, wherein the first storage volume includes a fluid pressure sensor.
15. The fluid accumulator arrangement of claim 11, wherein the first storage volume includes a connection for a high pressure fluid pump.