Abstract:
The present invention provides a foodstuff comprising taurine, vitamin C, vitamin E and one or more polyunsaturated fatty acids, its use in the control of cardiovascular disorders, and its use in a method for controlling cardiovascular disorders.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is the U.S. National Stage Application of International Application No. PCT/US02/25546 filed Aug. 9, 2002 claiming priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/311,547 filed Aug. 10, 2001. 
     
    
     
       TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0002]    The present invention provides a foodstuff comprising taurine, vitamin C, vitamin E and one or more polyunsaturated fatty acids, its use in the control of cardiovascular disorders, and its use in a method for controlling cardiovascular disorders.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Cardiac disease is one of the most common disorders in dogs. Eleven percent of dogs in the United States and Europe have some form of cardiac disease. Of all dogs with cardiac disease, 95% have acquired disease while 5% have congenital disease. For dogs with acquired disease, the majority (75-80%) have endocardiosis or myxomatous degeneration of atrioventricular valves (commonly referred to as chronic valvular disease or CVD). Another 5-10% has dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and the remaining dogs with cardiac disease (10-20%) have pericardial disease, endocarditis, primary arrhythmias or heartworm disease.  
           [0004]    The present invention provides a foodstuff, which can optionally be used in combination with one or more conventional therapy to reduce the progression of cardiovascular disease. The foodstuff of the invention provides a further advantage as it utilizes naturally occurring ingredients to provide a benefit to an animal which may in the future or present, suffer from a cardiovascular disease.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The first aspect of the invention provides a foodstuff comprising taurine, vitamin C, vitamin E and one or more polyunsaturated fatty acids.  
           [0006]    It is an object of the present invention, to provide a foodstuff, which improves the symptoms and/or slows the progression of a cardiovascular disease. It is beneficial since such a foodstuff can be administered to dogs with early, moderate and/or late stage cardiovascular disease. For the purposes of this invention, the term cardiovascular encompasses both disorders relating to or affecting the heart (cardiac) as well as the systemic and the pulmonary circulation (cardiovascular).  
           [0007]    The foodstuff of the first aspect comprises taurine. Taurine is obtained from meat and fish and is a non-essential amino acid for some animals, such as dogs. It provides benefits to animals suffering from cardiovascular diseases, such as dilated cardiomyopathy. These benefits may be due to the positive inotropic effects of taurine or its role in calcium regulation in the myocardium.  
           [0008]    For the purposes of the current invention, taurine is provided at a level from 100 mg to 1000 mg per 400 kcal per day, preferably 200mg to 500mg per 400 kcal per day, more preferably from 108 mg per 400 kcal per day or above. Throughout this text, references to a concentration per kcal are to kcal metabolizable energy intake.  
           [0009]    The foodstuff of the first aspect comprises vitamin C. Vitamin C is a water-soluble substance which has a number of important roles in the body. It has an essential role in the maintenance of healthy teeth, gums and bones. It aids the healing of wounds, scar tissue and fractures and strengthens blood vessels. Vitamin C also builds resistance to infection and aids in the prevention and treatment of the common cold. Vitamin C is also one of the major antioxidant nutrients.  
           [0010]    Vitamin C for the present invention may be provided in any form, including as crystalline ascorbic acid (optionally pure), ethylcellulose coated ascorbic acid, calcium phosphate salts of ascorbic acid, ascorbyl palmitate, ascorbic acid-2-monophosphate salt or ascorbyl-2-monophosphate with small traces of the disphosphate salt and traces of the triphophate salt or calcium phosphate (Stay-C®). Preferably, the vitamin C is provided as Stay-C® or ascorbyl palmitate. The vitamin C according to the first aspect of the invention may be in any physical state. It may be liquid, semi-solid or solid (such as a powder).  
           [0011]    Vitamin C for the purposes of this invention is provided at a level of from 4 mg to 400 mg per 400 kcal per day, preferably from 20 mg to 200 mg per 400 kcal per day, more preferably at a level of from 30 mg per 400 kcal per day or above.  
           [0012]    The foodstuff of the first aspect comprises vitamin E. Vitamin E is a collective term for several biologically similar compounds, including those called tocopherols and tocotrienols, which share the same biological activity. The selenium-containing enzyme glutathione peroxidase together with vitamin E helps to protect cells against free radical induced damage. Vitamin E acts as a scavenger of free radicals. Vitamin C may assist by reducing the tocopheroxyl radicals formed by the scavenging. In addition, vitamin E helps to block lipid peroxidation and may also form an important part of the membrane structure due to its interaction with membrane phospholipids. It has also been suggested that Vitamin E plays an important role in the functioning of the immune system. The most biologically active biological form of vitamin E in animal tissue is alpha-tocopherol. Vitamin E cannot be synthesised in vivo. Forms of vitamin E for the present invention are not limiting and include alpha-tocopherol, such as D-alpha-tocopherol, D-alpha-tocopherol acetate, DL-alpha-tocopherol and DL-alpha-tocopherol acetate.  
           [0013]    Units of vitamin E can be expressed as International Units (IU), where 1 IU of alpha-tocopherol approximates to 1 mg of alpha-tocopherol. Other vitamin E compounds have their IU determined by their biopotency in comparison to alpha-tocopherol as described in McDowell, L. R (1989) Vitamin E: In vitamins in Animal Nutrition, Chapter 4, page 96, Academic Press, UK.  
           [0014]    Vitamin E is a major anti-oxidant nutrient and acts in the body as a free radical scavenger. Alpha-tocopherol is the most active anti-oxidant biological form of vitamin E.  
           [0015]    The food supplement of the first aspect of the invention will preferably contain vitamin E at a level of from 1 IU to 1000 IU per 400 kcal per day, preferably from 10 IU to 500 IU per 400 kcal per day, more preferably at a level of 100 IU per 400 kcal per day or above.  
           [0016]    A further useful point in relation to the use of vitamin E in combination with vitamin C is their potential to act synergistically. This may be assisted by the fact that vitamin E is lipid soluble and vitamin C is water-soluble. Alpha-tocopherol is known to sit in the lipid membrane. Ascorbate and alpha-tocopherol, for example, interact at the interface between cell membranes or lipoproteins and water. Ascorbic acid rapidly reduces alpha-tocopherol radicals in membranes to regenerate alpha-tocopherol.  
           [0017]    The foodstuff of the first aspect comprises one or more polyunsaturated fatty acid. Suitable polyunsaturated fatty acids include n-3 fatty acids (which include eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docasahexaenoic acid (DHA) and/or alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)).  
           [0018]    Supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids provides a benefit to an animal by reducing the production of inflammatory eicosanoids (for example the 2- and 4-series eicosanoids) and therefore reducing inflammation. Futhermore, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids decrease the production of the inflammatory cytokines (including TNF and IL-1).  
           [0019]    The form of any of the fatty acid is not limiting and any one or more can be provided in a purified form or a non-purified form, such as: fish oil, fish meal, soya oil, blackcurrent oil, sunflower oil or ground nut oil. The fatty acids can further be obtained from flaxseed. Preferably, the fatty acid is provided by fish meal or fish oil.  
           [0020]    The polyunsaturated fatty acid is provided at a level of from 1 mg to 1000 mg per 400 kcal per day, preferably from 10mg to 800 mg per 400 kcal per day. Most preferably, the fatty acids are provided at a level of from 50 mg per 400 kcal per day or above.  
           [0021]    The level of fatty acid provided in a foodstuff of the first aspect may vary depending on the particular fatty acid(s) and the type of food provided. The table below summarizes preferred levels of eicosapentaenoic acid and docasahexaenoic acid for a wet or a dry foodstuff of the first aspect—all levels are provided per 400 kcal per day.  
                                                                 Wet foodstuff   Dry foodstuff                                    Level of Eicosapentaenoic    10 mg to 1000 mg    10 mg to 500 mg       acid       Preferred range   200 mg or above   100 mg or above       Level of docasahexanoic acid    10 mg to 1000 mg    10 mg to 500 mg       Preferred range   170 mg or above    80 mg or above                  
 
           [0022]    The combination of the above ingredients has been shown to provide a benefit in terms of cardiovascular health of an animal.  
           [0023]    The foodstuff of the first aspect of the invention may further comprise additional ingredients. Such additional ingredients, which may contribute to benefiting the cardiovascular health of an animal include one of more of a flavonoid, a vitamin, a mineral, arginine, magnesium and/or L-carnitine.  
           [0024]    The intake of flavonoids in the diet results in a reduced risk of coronary heart disease. Flavonoids are anti-oxidant compounds which exhibit a number of useful properties for the control of cardiovascular disorders. A number of flavonoids have positive inotropic effects. In addition, flavonoids protect the heart against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, they have antiarrhythmic effects, they inhibit platelet aggregation and they inhibit nitric oxide production.  
           [0025]    For the purposes of this invention, the form of any flavonoid is not limiting. It can be provided in an isolated and/or purified form or otherwise. In a preferred feature of the first aspect, one or more flavonoid is provided as a component of a raw material, for example fruit juice, skin, or pulp. Examples of a source of flavonoids include but are not limited to one or more of bilberry, tea, broccoli, blueberries, carrots, pomegranates, peanut skins, limes, soybeans, oranges, lemons, grapes, apples, tomatoes, onions or grapefruit.  
           [0026]    Flavonoids are provided at a level of approximately 500 mg to approximately 1 mg per 400 kcal per day, preferably from approximately 100 mg to approximately 10 mg per 400 kcal per day. More preferably, one or more flavonoid are provided at a level of from 55 mg per 400 kcal per day or above.  
           [0027]    The foodstuff of the first aspect optionally comprises L-camitine. L-camitine is concentrated in the skeletal and cardiac muscle. Carnitine deficiency is associated with primary myocardial disease in a number of dog species.  
           [0028]    The foodstuff of the first aspect may optionally comprise L-carnitine at a level of from 4 mg to 400 mg per 400 kcal per day, preferably from 40 mg to 100 mg per 400 kcal per day, most preferably from 84 mg per 400 kcal per day or above.  
           [0029]    The foodstuff of the first aspect optionally comprises a B complex vitamin. Low concentrations of the B complex vitamins and in particular thiamine have been implicated in congestive heart failure. The foodstuff of the first aspect may therefore comprise a B complex vitamin at a level of from 0.01 mg to 10 mg per 400 kcal per day, more preferably at a level of 0.24 mg per 400 kcal or above. In particular thiamine may be provided at a level of from 1 mg to 0.1 mg per 400 kcal, more preferably at a level of 0.23 mg per 400 kcal per day or above.  
           [0030]    The foodstuff of the first aspect may optionally provide arginine, preferably L-arginine. The provision of L-arginine has been shown to improve endothelial dysfunction in animals with congestive heart failure. Furthermore, L-arginine supplementation has been shown to improve endothelium-dependent vasodilation and cardiac output. In addition, studies have shown that L-arginine reduced dyspnea in response to increasing carbon dioxide production during exercise in animals with severe chronic heart failure.  
           [0031]    The present invention provides arginine at a level of from 0.5 g to 10 g per 400 kcal per day, preferably from 1 g to 5 g per 400 kcal per day. More preferably, arginine is provided at a level of from 2.4 g per 400 kcal per day or above.  
           [0032]    The foodstuff of the first aspect may optionally provide magnesium. Magnesium is an essential prosthetic group in many enzymatic reactions involving carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism, protein and nucleic acid synthesis, the adenylate cyclase system and cardiac and smooth muscle contractility. Thus, magnesium plays an important role in normal cardiac function. It is also clear that alterations in magnesium hemeostasis can have deleterious effects in a variety of cardiovascular conditions including hypertension, coronary disease, congestive heart failure, and cardiac arrhythmias. In addition, numerous drugs used to treat cardiac conditions, including digoxin and loop diuretics are associated with magnesium depletion. Therefore, animals with heart failure receiving these medications have the potential to develop hypomagnesemia. Hypomagesemia can increase the risk of arrhythmias, decrease cardiac contractility, and can potentiate the adverse effects of cardiac medications.  
           [0033]    The foodstuff of the first aspect of the present invention therefore, provides magnesium at a level of from 0.01 g to optionally 1 g per 400 kcal per day, preferably 0.03 g to 0.5 g per 400 kcal per day. More preferably, magnesium is provided at a level of 0.08 g per 400 kcal per day or above.  
           [0034]    In a preferred feature of the first aspect, the foodstuff contains restricted levels of sodium. Sodium restriction is one method, together with the use of diuretics and venous vasodilators, to treat excessive increases in preload in animals with congenital heart failure.  
           [0035]    Studies using low sodium diets in dogs with heart failure secondary to either endocardiosis or dilated cardiomyopathy have shown that serum sodium and chloride decreased significantly in dogs while eating a low sodium diet compared to a moderate sodium diet. Neurohormones did not change significantly on the low-sodium diet compared to the moderate-sodium diet, especially in dogs with endocardiosis.  
           [0036]    This suggests that there may be benefits to a low-sodium diet in dogs with Class II-IV heart failure. Thus a foodstuff for an animal with no symptoms of cardiovascular disease or early stage cardiovascular disease may have no restrictions on the level of sodium. Alternatively, the foodstuff may contain from 0.4 g of sodium per 400 kcal or less.  
           [0037]    A foodstuff for an animal with late stage cardiovascular disease will preferably have a restricted sodium level, for example from 0.2 g of sodium per 400 kcal per day or less.  
           [0038]    The present invention relates, for all aspects, to any animal. The invention relates, in particular, to humans, horses, cats and most preferably to dogs. The cat includes the domestic cat ( Felis domesticus ) and the dog includes the domestic dog ( Canis domesticus ). The invention may further relate to farm animals such as swine, cattle or sheep.  
           [0039]    The foodstuff of the invention may be a dry product (with approximately 5 to 12% moisture), a semi-moist product (with approximately 12 to 70% moisture) or a wet product (with approximately 70 to 90% moisture).  
           [0040]    The foodstuff of the first aspect may further be provided to an animal as a mixture of wet and dry food. Such a combination may be provided premixed or may be provided as two or more separate foodstuffs, which are administered to the animal separately, simultaneously or sequentially. As previously discussed, the foodstuff of the first aspect can be provided as a food supplement which is added to an animal&#39;s conventional foodstuff.  
           [0041]    The foodstuff according to the present invention encompasses any product that an animal consumes in its diet. In particular, the product is a pet food for a pet animal, more particularly a cat or a dog food for a cat or a dog, respectively. Thus, the invention covers standard food products as well as pet food snacks (for example, snack bars, biscuits and sweet products). The foodstuff is preferably a cooked product. It may incorporate meat or animal derived material (such as beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, fish, blood plasma, marrow bone etc or one or more thereof). The product alternatively may be meat free (preferably including a meat substitute such as soya, maize gluten or a soya product) in order to provide a protein source. The product may contain additional protein sources such as soya protein concentrate, milk proteins, gluten etc.  
           [0042]    The product may also contain a starch source such as one or more grains (e.g. corn, rice, oats, barley etc), or may be starch free. It may include a gelatinized starch matrix.  
           [0043]    The foodstuff is preferably packaged. In this way, the consumer is able to identify, from the packaging, the ingredients in the foodstuff and confirm that it is suitable for the particular pet in question. The packaging may be metal (usually in the form of a tin or flexifoil), plastic (usually in the form of a pouch or bottle), paper or card. The amount of moisture in any product may influence the type of packaging, which can be used or is required.  
           [0044]    The foodstuff of the invention is preferably a complete and balanced food or is preferably used in combination with a complete and balanced food (for example, as described in National Research Council, 1985, Nutritional Requirements for Dogs, National Academy Press, Washington D.C. or Association of American Feed Control Officials, Official Publication 1996). A complete and balanced diet includes a high quality commercial food. A high quality commercial food can be defined as a diet manufactured to the nutrient recommendations of the National Research Council, 1985 ( supra ), wherein the digestibility of key nutrients is 80% or more.  
           [0045]    The concentrations of the components to be added to the foodstuff are calculated on the basis of the energy content of the foodstuff and of any additional nutrients which may be consumed by the animal. Preferably, a complete and balanced food, (including a high quality commercial food) comprises the foodstuff according to the invention.  
           [0046]    The foodstuff of the first aspect can be provided as a food supplement. The food supplement can be a powder, biscuit, kibble, sauce, topping, pocket or tablet that can be administered with or without an additional foodstuff. Where the food supplement is administered with an additional foodstuff, the food supplement can be administered sequentially simultaneously or separately. The food supplement may be mixed with the foodstuff, sprinkled or poured over the foodstuff or served separately. Alternatively, the food supplement can be added to a liquid provided for drinking such as water or milk.  
           [0047]    One problem associated with animals with cardiovascular disorders is that they do not ingest sufficient calories. This is a particular problem in animals with advanced stage cardiovascular disorders, when the animal may have anorexia and/or weight loss. The first aspect of the invention therefore provides a foodstuff in the form of a calorie dense snack or treat. The foodstuff is preferably in the form of a bar. This snack or treat is provided as a nutritional supplement. The snack or treat is preferably highly palatable, more preferably having a sweet flavor. The snack or treat is calorie dense providing 100 to 500 kcal per 65 g bar more preferably 200 to 300 kcal per 65 g bar, more preferably 240 kcal per 65 g bar or above.  
           [0048]    The second aspect of the invention relates to a foodstuff of the first aspect for use in medicine. In particular, the foodstuff is for use in controlling a cardiovascular disorder.  
           [0049]    For the purposes of this invention, cardiovascular disorders comprise acquired and congenital cardiovascular disorders. Such disorders include one or more of chronic valvular disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure and hypertension.  
           [0050]    Some animals with cardiovascular disorders do not exhibit clinical signs of the disorder. Other animals exhibit objective evidence of a disorder including cardiac murmurs, arrhythmia, and gallop on auscultation. The foodstuff of the first aspect may be administered to animals with cardiovascular disorders wherein the animals display clinical symptoms of the disorder. Alternatively, the foodstuff may be administered to animals susceptible to one or more cardiovascular disorders. Animals with cardiovascular disorders can go on to develop congestive heart failure in which inadequate cardiac performance results in excessive fluid retention. This excess fluid retention can result in conditions including pulmonary oedema, pleural effusion, ascites and pericardial effusion. The second aspect therefore relates to a foodstuff for use in controlling congestive heart failure.  
           [0051]    The second aspect further relates to controlling a pericardial disorder including pericardial endocarditis, primary arrhythmias and heartworm disease.  
           [0052]    Dogs with cardiac disease can be classified according to their clinical signs based on the modified New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification, as set out below.  
           [0053]    Class I: Dogs have no limitations. Physical activity, including normal exercise, does not cause symptoms.  
           [0054]    Class II: Slight limitation of physical activity and ordinary physical activity results in symptoms.  
           [0055]    Class III: Marked limitation of physical activity so that less than ordinary activity leads to symptoms.  
           [0056]    Class IV: Inability to carry out any activity without symptoms. Symptoms present at rest.  
           [0057]    For the purposes of this invention, dogs classified as class I and II have early cardiovascular disease and classes III and IV have late stage cardiovascular disease.  
           [0058]    The foodstuff of the first aspect can be administered to an animal with early stage or late stage cardiovascular disease. It will be appreciated that the nutritional requirements of an animal with late stage cardiovascular disease may differ from an animal with early stage cardiovascular disease. Therefore, in a preferred feature of the first aspect, a foodstuff for administering to an animal with early stage cardiovascular disease may have a different composition to a foodstuff for administering to an animal with late stage cardiovascular disease. For example, a foodstuff for administering to an animal with late stage cardiovascular disease may comprise restricted levels of sodium or may provide more calories than a foodstuff for administering to an animal with early stage cardiovascular disease.  
           [0059]    The foodstuff of the first aspect can be administered to animals susceptible to a cardiovascular disorders. Such animals, while not presently suffering from a cardiovascular disorder may be prone to developing such a disorder in the future. Administering a foodstuff of the first aspect to a susceptible animal may delay the onset of the cardiovascular disorder or may reduce the severity of the symptoms thereof. Animals may be susceptible to one or more cardiovascular disorders for a variety of reasons including age, environmental conditions, family history, diet, genetic factors etc. Certain breeds of dogs for example, large and giant breeds, are susceptible to cardiovascular disorders. Such dogs include but are not limited to Doberman Pinschers, Boxers, Great Danes, Scottish Deerhounds, Irish Wolfhounds and Cocker Spaniels. Dogs which are susceptible to valvular disease include small breeds such as, but not limited to, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.  
           [0060]    In addition, the foodstuff of the first aspect can be used to aid in the control of secondary symptoms such as anorexia, cachexia, weight loss, fluid retention (e.g. manifested as pulmonary oedema, pleural effusion, ascites, pericardial effuision), exercise intolerance, coughing and oxidative stress which occur with one or more of the cardiovascular disorder discussed above.  
           [0061]    For the purposes of this invention, the terms “control” and “controlling” mean to decrease or alleviate the symptoms suffered by an animal especially the symptoms of a cardiovascular disorder and/or assist in the management of a cardiovascular disorder. This foodstuff may be provided as an adjunct therapy and is preferably provided in combination with a conventional treatment.  
           [0062]    Such conventional treatment may include diuretics such as flurosemide, digoxin or spironolactone, or Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) pm inhibitors such as captorpril or enalopril.  
           [0063]    The foodstuff of the invention may allow the reliance on a conventional treatment such as diuretics or Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors to be reduced. Alternatively the animal may exhibit less symptoms or the severity of the symptoms may be reduced. The animal may exhibit an improved level of well being, for example, exemplified by an increase in activity.  
           [0064]    It is intended that the foodstuff of the first aspect will be provided as a commercial product, which will be available from commercial outlets and/or from veterinary surgeons. The foodstuff of the first aspect may be provided as required, under the direction of a veterinary surgeon. The foodstuff may be fed in combination with one or more specific treatments for a cardiac disorder under the guidance of a veterinary surgeon. The foodstuff may be branded as a dietary aid, or complete foodstuff.  
           [0065]    All preferred features of the first aspect of the invention also apply to the second aspect.  
           [0066]    The third aspect of the invention relates to the use of taurine, vitamin C, vitamin E and one or more polyunsaturated fatty acid in the manufacture of a composition for the control of a cardiovascular disorder.  
           [0067]    All preferred features of the first and second aspects, also apply to the third aspect.  
           [0068]    The fourth aspect of the invention comprises a method of controlling a cardiovascular disorder comprising administering a foodstuff of the first aspect to an animal. The animal may be in need thereof.  
           [0069]    For the purposes of the fourth aspect, the foodstuff is administered one or more times per day. The foodstuff can be administered in combination with or in place of the animal&#39;s conventional food. Where the foodstuff of the first aspect is a calorie dense snack or treat, the foodstuff can be administered in addition to the animal&#39;s conventional food. The calorie dense snack or treat can be administered one or more times daily, or can be administered as required (for example, if the animal is undergoing physical exercise, work or training or if the animal requires an increase in its calorific intake).  
           [0070]    All preferred features of the first, second and third aspects of the invention also relate to the fourth aspect.  
           [0071]    The fifth aspect comprises a process for the preparation of the foodstuff of the first or second aspects.  
           [0072]    The process for the fifth aspect may comprise mixing together at least two ingredients of the foodstuff.  
           [0073]    The preferred form of the foodstuff is a pet food product. The process for making the pet food product comprises mixing together the ingredients for the pet food product and incorporating the components vitamin C, vitamin E, taurine and one or more polyunsaturated fatty acid. The components may be added at any time during the manufacturing/processing of the foodstuff including as the last step before packaging.  
           [0074]    The foodstuff can be made according to any method known in the art such as in Waltham Book of Dog and Cat Nutrition, Ed. ATB Edney, Chapter by A. Rainbird, entitled “A Balanced Diet” in pages 57 to 74 Pergamon Press Oxford.  
           [0075]    The components are added together at any time during the processing. They may all be added together at the same time, or individually, in any particular order. Other ingredients of the foodstuff may be added at any time during the processing.  
           [0076]    Where the foodstuff is a dry product, preferably, two or more ingredients of the foodstuff are mixed together and then ground together. The moisture and temperature of the ground particles can be manipulated prior to any further processing step. The components may be added before or after any heating or cooking step. The processing may include shaping and/or packaging of the product. In a preferred feature of the fifth aspect, the product is shaped by extrusion to form pellets or kibbles. Extrusion preferably occurs at a pressure of 20-1000 psig and a temperature of 90-165° C.  
           [0077]    The essential components of the foodstuff (taurine, vitamin C, vitamin E and one or more polyunsaturated fatty acid) may be mixed with the other components of the foodstuff or can be added to the completed foodstuff. In a preferred feature of the invention, one or more of the essential components is coated or sprayed on to the surface of the foodstuff. Alternatively, one or more of the essential components is present as part of a soft center. Alternatively, one or more of the essential components is admixed with one or more other components of the foodstuff. The final water content of the foodstuff can be manipulated using a cooler apparatus.  
           [0078]    All preferred features of the first, second, third and fourth aspects, also apply to the fifth aspect. Where the foodstuff is a wet product, preferably two or more ingredients of the foodstuff are mixed together and then optionally cooked or heated. The essential components of the foodstuff may be added before or after any heating or cooking step. The processing may include shaping and/or packaging of the product. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0079]    The invention will now be illustrated by reference to the following non-limiting examples.  
       EXAMPLE 1  
     Example of Cardiovascular Diet  
       [0080]    The following cardiovascular diet is a dry diet containing approximately 10% water. The dry diet will provide approximately 300 kcal per 100 g or above. The dry cardiovascular diet for animals with early stage disease comprises the following ingredients (˜is approximately):  
         [0081]    Percentage is calculated on an “as is” weight for weight basis  
                                                       Rice   ˜58%           Fish meal   ˜10%           Pultry   ˜10%           Rice gluten   ˜12.5%           Fiber   ˜4%           Vitamins and minerals   ˜5%           (including Vitamin C   ˜0.03%)           Taurine   ˜0.1%           Carbitine   ˜0.05%           Antioxidant complex   ˜0.25%                      
 
         [0082]    The above cardiovascular diet provides from 20 g to 28 g of protein per 400 kcal per day. Sodium is provided at a level of approximately 0.01 to 0.6 g per 400 kcal per day.  
       EXAMPLE 2  
     Example of Late Stage Cardiovascular Diet  
       [0083]    The following diet is a dry diet with a composition as set out in Example 1. It will be appreciated that the foodstuff for administration to an animal with advanced stage disorder contains a lower level of sodium, for example from approximately 0.01 g per 400 kcal per day or above.  
         [0084]    The late stage cardiovascular diet provides from 20 g to 28 g of protein per 400 kcal per day.  
       EXAMPLE 3  
     Manufacture of dry food  
       [0085]    Dry raw materials are weighed, mixed and ground. The dry mix is then screened prior to extrusion to form the mixed meal. The mixed meal is conveyed to a pre-conditioner where it is mixed with steam, water and oil at specified rates. Sufficient residence time is provided in the pre-conditioner for the moisture and temperature to transfer uniformly throughout the individual particles. The residence time is about two minutes. The pre-conditioned mixture is then transferred to an extruder for cooking and forming. The die pressure should be 200-1000 psig and the die temperature is about 90-165° C. The formed kibble is pneumatically conveyed to the dryer. The drying temperature is set at 130-145° C. and drying time is about 17 minutes. The product moisture exiting the dryer is less than 12%. The dried kibble is sized (or screened) before coating to reduce clumps and fines. The kibble is fed into a coating system where coating is applied uniformly across the surface of the kibble at a constant application rate. The coating materials include digest The kibble is coated with digest at ambient temperature. The coated kibble is then transferred to a post-coat cooler in which the coated product is conditioned to its final moisture (&lt;12%), water activity (&lt;0.7 at 35° C.) and temperature (&lt;35° C.) prior to packaging. The retention time is about 15 minutes.  
       EXAMPLE 4  
     Effect of Foodstuff on Dogs.  
       [0086]    A panel of healthy dogs underwent a feeding trial to compare the effects of feeding the foodstuff of the present invention with a control diet. The control diet contained the same ingredients as the foodstuff minus vitamin C, vitamin E, taurine and one or more polyunsaturated fatty acid. The dogs fed with the foodstuff showed a benefit compared to those on the control diet. Further, no deleterious side effects were observed with the foodstuff.  
       EXAMPLE 5  
     Supplement Bar  
       [0087]    In addition to the essential ingredients, a formed supplement bar provides approximately 250 kcal per 65 g bar and contains from approximately 0.04 to approximately 0.06 g of sodium per 110 kcal. Protein is provided by the bar at a level of approximately 4 to approximately 5 g per 100 kcal.