Compositions and methods for nutrition supplementation

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions that may be swallowable, chewable or dissolvable, comprising various vitamins and minerals, and in a specific embodiment comprising vitamin A, beta carotene, B-complex vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin D3, vitamin E, iron, magnesium and zinc, and methods for using these compositions for nutritional supplementation in subjects undergoing physiologically stressful events, such as, for example and without limitation, pregnancy, lactation or any disease state.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a Continuation and claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. § 120, of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 214,858, filed Aug. 31, 2005, and is a Continuation of Ser. No. 10 / 916,534, filed Aug. 12, 2004, which is expressly incorporated fully herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to compositions, that may be swallowable, chewable and / or dissolvable, comprising various vitamins and minerals, and methods for using these compositions for nutritional supplementation in, for example, subjects in physiologically stressful states. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Nutrition plays a critical role in maintaining good health. Proper nutrition prevents dietary deficiencies, and also protects against the development of disease. When the body faces physiological stress, proper nutrition plays an increasingly important role. For example, pregnancy and lactation are among the most nutritio...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] The present invention provides compositions and methods of using these compositions for both prophylactic and therapeutic nutritional supplementation. Specifically, for example, the present invention relates to novel compositions of vitamins and minerals that can be used to supplement the nutritional deficiencies observed in patients undergoing physiologically stressful states such as, for example and without limitation, pregnancy, lactation, and any disease state. The compositions of the present invention may be in a swallowable, chewable or dissolvable form according to an individual patient's preference. Choice in dosage form promotes ease of administration and compliance with dosing regimens.

[0019] In another embodiment of the present invention, the compositions may be suitable for administration to subjects in physiologically stressful states, such as those resulting from pregnancy, lactation or disease states. Such compositions may be suitable for treating nutritional deficiencies resulting from such physiologically stressful states, which may result from, for example and without limitation, elevated metabolic demand, increased plasma volume, or decreased concentrations of nutrient-binding proteins such as, for example and without limitation, serum-ferritin, maltose-binding protein, lactoferrin, calmodulin, tocopheryl binding protein, riboflavin binding protein, retinol binding protein, transthyretin, high density lipoprotein-apolipoprotein Al, folic acid binding protein and 25-hydroxyvitamin D binding protein.

[0033] In another embodiment of the present invention, the methods may utilize compositions suitable for administration to subjects in physiologically stressful states, such as those resulting from, for example and without limitation, pregnancy, lactation or disease states. Such compositions may be suitable for treating nutritional deficiencies resulting from such physiologically stressful states, which may result from, for example and without limitation, elevated metabolic demand, increased plasma volume, or decreased concentrations of nutrient-binding proteins such as serum-ferritin, maltose-binding protein, lactoferrin, calmodulin, tocopheryl binding protein, riboflavin binding protein, retinol binding protein, transthyretin, high density lipoprotein-apolipoprotein Al, folic acid binding protein and 25-hydroxyvitamin D binding protein.

Problems solved by technology

Further, while some patients may prefer swallowable dosage forms, it is estimated that 50% of the population has problems swallowing whole tablets.

These problems can lead to poor, or even noncompliance, with dosing regimens and thus have negative impacts on treatment efficiency.