Methods and compositions for improved chromium complexes

Abstract

Complex metal-containing matrices, and especially chromium-containing matrices are produced from a water soluble preparation that is derived from an item suitable for animal (and most typically human) consumption. In particularly contemplated aspects, the water soluble preparation is an extract or filtrate of disintegrated brewer's yeast, and the so prepared complex mixture is combined with a chromium-3⁺ ions.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of our co-pending international patent application with the serial number PCT / US04 / 25026, which designates the U.S., filed Aug. 3, 2004.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The field of the invention is chromium-containing nutritional compositions and methods, and particularly those with enhanced biological activity and / or absorption. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Numerous chromium-containing compositions are well known in the art, however, all or almost all of them suffer from one or more disadvantages. Most significantly, while some of the chromium-containing supplements are embroiled in toxicity issues (e.g., Cr-picolinate), others have only relatively low solubility and / or bioavailability (e.g., chromium yeast), or are expensive (e.g., chromium lactoferrin) in their production. [0004] For example, WO 03 / 101436 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,925,433 describe various alpha amino acid complexes with Cr3+ in nutritional supplements. S...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for water soluble, highly bioavailable chromium-containing complex matrices. Preferably, contemplated matrices are prepared from a filtered or otherwise clarified solution of a disintegrate of an edible (and most typically cellular) material, wherein the clarified solution is combined with a metal (preferably Cr3+) to form a complex between the metal and one or more components in the matrix.

Problems solved by technology

Most significantly, while some of the chromium-containing supplements are embroiled in toxicity issues (e.g., Cr-picolinate), others have only relatively low solubility and / or bioavailability (e.g., chromium yeast), or are expensive (e.g., chromium lactoferrin) in their production.

While amino acid ligands are typically considered nutritionally safe, amino acid complexes formed with chromium tend to pose several drawbacks.

Among other things, bioavailability of the chromium from the complex is often relatively low.

Furthermore, at least some of such complexes have displayed toxicity to some degree.

While such defined complexes tend to overcome at least some of the difficulties associated with amino acid ligands, toxicity issues frequently remain, particularly at relatively high dosages, and / or where the compounds are administered over a relatively long period.

While many hydrolyzed protein preparations are often low- or even non-toxic, various difficulties nevertheless remain.

Among other problems, crude hydrolysate generally has an off-taste that is hard to mask, and where the hydrolysate is purified or otherwise processed, production costs often significantly increase.

Still further, the use of hydrolytic enzymes may pose a health concern where the enzymes are not properly inactivated.

While such preparations are often well tolerated, the low solubility of the chromium yeast product frequently poses a significant hurdle to incorporate such products into a food or beverage.

Moreover, and at least in part due to the relatively poor solubility, bioavailability of chromium from such yeast products is typically low.

However, isolation of such substances is typically labor intensive and therefore often not economic.

Thus, while there are numerous chromium complexes known in the art, toxicity, low bioavailability, and / or low water solubility limit the usefulness of these complexes.

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