摘要 |
The present invention relates to methionine rich food products that have been modified so as to reduce their boosting effect on serum homocysteine concentration. More particularly, the invention is concerned with food products comprising at least 5% proteinaceous matter by weight of dry matter, wherein at least 50% of the proteinaceous matter is of animal origin or derived from seeds, nuts, grain or pulses, and wherein the amino acid profile of the food products has been altered to contain elevated amounts of cysteine, and optionally serine. Typically, the present food products contain the amino acids cysteine [Cys] and methionine [Meth] in a molar ratio which meets the following equation: [Cys] / [Meth] >/=2:1. Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of the aformentioned food products in a method of treating or preventing elevated plasma concentrations of homocysteine. Yet another aspect of the invention is concerned with a method of modifying a methionine rich food product by incorporating therein a source of cysteine, and optionally a source of serine. |