Abstract: A nutritional composition comprises (a) one to a plurality of physiologically acceptable calcium salts and/or chelates and (b) one or more phosphorus-containing components, such as phosphate salts, and/or phosphorus-rescuing components, such as phytase. The composition is useful for phosphorus-sparing calcium supplementation of the diet of a human subject, and for treatment of a low bone density condition in a human subject in need thereof.

Abstract: A nutritional composition comprises (a) one to a plurality of physiologically acceptable calcium salts and/or chelates and (b) one or more phosphorus-containing components, such as phosphate salts, and/or phosphorus-rescuing components, such as phytase. The composition is useful for phosphorus-sparing calcium supplementation of the diet of a human subject, and for treatment of a low bone density condition in a human subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Methods are provided for quantitatively determining the amount of unbound metal present in a sample suspected of containing a metal-ligand chelate.

Abstract: The present invention includes amino sugar chelates and methods for preparing amino sugar chelates of the formula given below, where M is a metal; R2 and R3 are independently selected from H, OH and hydroxyl substituted C1-C8 alkyl; R4 is selected from H, CO2H, OH, and hydroxyl substituted C1-C8 alkyl; each R5 is independently selected from H, OH, and hydroxyl substituted C1-C8 alkyl; A is selected from CH and O; a is from 0-6; b is from 0-6; n is from 1 to 8. The amino sugar chelates may include matrix stabilizing salts. The compounds and compositions disclosed can be used as nutritional supplements to impart health benefits.

Abstract: Methods useful for inhibiting growth of a variety of microbes including bacteria and fungi are disclosed. The methods involve contacting a microbe with an inhibitory amount of a zinc chelate. Methods useful for preserving a consumable product are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods are provided for quantitatively determining the amount of unbound metal present in a sample suspected of containing a metal-ligand chelate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of assaying for the presence or absence of a metal-ligand chelate in a sample containing either a metal-ligand chelate or a free ligand. The method includes (a) reacting the sample with a luminophore to obtain either a metal-ligand-luminophore chelate and/or a ligand-luminophore adduct; (b) detecting the electromagnetic spectrum of the reaction product; (c) matching the electromagnetic spectrum of the reaction product with an electromagnetic spectrum metal-ligand chelate luminophore chelate or the electromagnetic spectrum of a ligandluminophore adduct; (d) correlating a match of the electromagnetic spectrum of the reaction product and the electromagnetic spectrum of the metalligand-luminophore chelate with the presence of a metal-ligand chelate, or correlating a match of the electromagnetic spectrum of the reaction product and the electromagnetic spectrum of the ligand-luminophore adduct with the absence of a metal-ligand chelate.

Abstract: The present invention includes amino sugar chelates and methods for preparing amino sugar chelates of the formula given below, where M is a metal; R2 and R3 are independently selected from H, OH and hydroxyl substituted C1-C8 alkyl; R4 is selected from H, CO2H, OH, and hydroxyl substituted C1-C8 alkyl; each R5 is independently selected from H, OH, and hydroxyl substituted C1-C8 alkyl; A is selected from CH and O; a is from 0-6; b is from 0-6; n is from 1 to 8. The amino sugar chelates may include matrix stabilizing salts. The compounds and compositions disclosed can be used as nutritional supplements to impart health benefits.

Abstract: A chelate comprised of creatine bonded to an essential mineral selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Cu, Zn, Fe, Cr, Co, Mo, Se and Mn to form a heterocyclic ring. Preferably, the metal is Mg, but Ca, Zn, Fe, Cr and Mn are also preferred. The creatine chelates of the present invention are capable of being absorbed in the stomach or intestines via active transport without substantial metabolism of the chelate. In other words, the creatine ligand is protected by the metal from undergoing cyclization in the acidic environment of the stomach and the metal is made more bioavailable due to the presence of the creatine ligand.

Abstract: A method for facilitating digestion of carbohydrates into simple sugars in warm-blooded animals by maintaining and enhancing the natural disaccharidase enzymatic activity in the mucosal cells of the small intestines. Iron is an essential mineral and other minerals selected from the group consisting of copper, zinc, manganese and cobalt are provided in the form of amino acid chelates having a ligand to mineral molar ratio of at least 1:1, a molecular weight of no more than 1500 daltons and a stability constant of between about 10.sup.6 and 10.sup.16 and administered orally. Additionally, magnesium and chromium, as amino acid chelates, may be added to improve disaccharidase activity as may potassium in inorganic salt form or as a 1:1 ligand to potassium amino acid complex. The minerals are taken into the mucosal cells lining the small intestine where they are utilized to facilitate the production and activity of disaccharidase enzymes such as maltases, sucrase and lactase.

Abstract: A method for alleviating stress and/or stress related symptoms in humans and other warm-blooded animals particularly when such symptoms are complicated by intestinal malabsorption of minerals is disclosed. Chromium and, optionally, one or more other minerals selected from the group consisting of copper, zinc, manganese, iron and selenium are provided in the form of amino acid chelates having a ligand to mineral ratio of at least 1:1, a molecular weight of no more than 1500 and a stability constant of between about 10.sup.6 and 10.sup.16 and administered orally. They are absorbed from a portion of the intestinal tract other than that utilized for the absorption of cations. The method is particularly adapted to reducing and/or controlling levels of serum cortisol in humans or other animals. The presence of symptoms of stress may first be confirmed or the compositions may be administered as a prophylactic.

Abstract: Pure amino acid chelates and a method of their production are disclosed. The amino acid chelates are free of contaminating inorganic anions. The chelate consists of a metal ion comprising iron, zinc, manganese, magnesium, copper, calcium and mixtures thereof. The metal ion is chelated to one or more ligands comprising alpha amino acids, protein hydrolysates, polypeptides, dipeptides, and combinations thereof. A novel process is disclosed wherein the amino acid ligand is brought into reactive contact with a divalent metal ion in an environment which is completely anion free but otherwise conducive to the interaction between the amino acid ligand and the metal ion, with the formation of an amino acid chelate in pure form or, at least, which can readily be recovered from the reactive environment in pure form.

Abstract: A method for improving the stability of amino acid-metal complexes or chelates and enhancing the uptake of these complexes into biological tissues. This method comprises forming the metal complexes with amino acids or hydrolyzed proteins and incorporating into them a buffer system which controls the pH of the complex and its surrounding media. This uptake is accomplished by the system of amino acid active transport into the blood stream from which the complex is then carried throughout the entire body.

Abstract: A method of preparing metal proteinates from natural proteinacous material without destroying naturally occurring vitamins and hormones which comprises neutralizing a protein containing material, subjecting said material to enzymatic hydrolysis, adjusting the enzymatically digested hydrolysate to a slightly basic pH and adding a metal salt thereto to form a metal proteinate precipitate. The proteinate thus formed is a chelate of polypeptides with metals and is substantially free from metal salts and single amino acid proteinates.