Abstract: A readily-dispersible physiologically-effective fiber drink mix containing granules which are a blend of a mineral salt which releases a physiologically-acceptable gas upon ingestion, a physiologically-acceptable edible acid, and a gel-forming dietary fiber, and which granules are coated with a gel-forming dietary fiber, starch, or protein, are disclosed. The resulting granules can be mixed into water or juice for ingestion. They readily disperse into solution and do not immediately gel up and solidify, but become activated when they reach the acid environment of the stomach and dissolve, at which time the internally-contained acid and mineral salt cooperate to mechanically disperse the fiber in a slow and prolonged manner as it hydrates, the gas released by the mineral salt and the organic acid assisting in slow disintegration of the granules. An orally-ingestible pharmaceutically-active compound, e.g.

Abstract: A prolonged-release unit dosage formulation or pharmaceutical composition, preferably in tablet form, is described. The composition consists essentially of a gel-forming dietary fiber, a biologically-absorbable drug or other active therapeutic agent, and certain specific disintegrants, namely, a physiologically-acceptable edible acid and a mineral salt which releases a physiologically-acceptable gas upon ingestion, preferably carbon dioxide, e.g., a mineral carbonate or bicarbonate, and advantageously dextrose or like soluble sugar. The dietary fiber-containing composition, when compressed into a tablet together with the drug and the specific disintegrants, provides a unique and efficient prolonged-action drug-delivery system.

Abstract: An antihyperlipidemic pharmaceutical or dietary supplement composition for oral use consisting essentially of a combination of niacin and a gel-forming dietary fiber, and a method of lowering cholesterol levels with such oral pharmaceutical composition, or by the simultaneous oral administration of the active ingredients thereof, which eliminates the usual undesirable flushing and itching side effects of niacin while effectively lowering cholesterol levels, especially LDL cholesterol levels, is disclosed.

Abstract: An antihyperlipidemic pharmaceutical or dietary supplement composition for oral use consisting essentially of a combination of niacin and guar gum, and a method of lowering cholesterol levels with such oral pharmaceutical composition, or by the simultaneous oral administration of the active ingredients thereof, which eliminates the usual undesirable flushing and itching side effects of niacin while effectively lowering cholesterol levels, especially LDL cholesterol levels, is disclosed.

Abstract: An antihyperlipidemic pharmaceutical or dietary supplement composition for oral use consisting essentially of a combination of niacin and a physiologically-acceptable magnesium salt, and a method of lowering cholesterol levels with such oral pharmaceutical composition, or by the simultaneous oral administration of the active ingredients thereof, which eliminates the usual undesirable flushing side effect of niacin, is disclosed.

Abstract: An orally administrable composition and method for reducing serum cholesterol levels are disclosed. A pharmaceutical composition comprising guar gum, and a dispersing mineral salt such as, for example, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, or potassium carbonate, is administered to humans to reduce serum cholesterol levels.

Abstract: An orally administrable composition and method for reducing serum cholesterol levels are disclosed. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a gel-forming fiber such as, for example, guar gum, pysllium seed, pectin, glucomannon, oat and barley and a mineral salt such as for example, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate and potassium carbonate is administered to humans to reduce serum cholesterol levels.