Abstract: Metal carnitine chelates comprising carnitine chelated to a nutritionally relevant metal can be used for general nutrition as well as well as to treat a variety of health related problems and symptoms. For example, metal carnitine chelates can be used to maintain good cardiovascular health, increase male fertility, enhance weight loss, provide mineral and/or carnitine supplements for mineral- and/or carnitine-deficient subjects, and reduce alcohol dependency and associated symptoms. Nutritionally relevant metals that can be used include copper, zinc, magnesium, calcium, iron, chromium, and manganese, to name a few.

Abstract: Hypoallergenic metal amino acid chelate compositions, hypoallergenic formulations containing hypoallergenic metal amino acid chelates, methods of preparing hypoallergenic metal amino acid chelate, and methods of administering hypoallergenic metal amino acid chelates are provided. Specifically, the present invention provides metal amino acid chelates that are substantially free of allergens such that administration of the metal amino acid chelates to a subject in an effective amount to cause a medicinal or nutritional result does not produce a discernable adverse allergic reaction. The metal amino acid chelates can include chelates having a naturally occurring amino acid to metal molar ratio of from about 1:1 to 4:1.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to an ephedra- and artificial stimulant-free energy promoting composition, comprising effective amounts of a magnesium amino acid chelate, a B vitamin, a pyruvate salt, and rhodiola. These ingredients work synergistically together to provide energy, without the use of artificial stimulants, caffeine, or ephedrine. Additional amino acid chelates can also be present, such as iron amino acid chelate, zinc amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate, manganese amino acid chelate, chromium amino acid chelate, and mixtures of second amino acid chelates.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and compositions which include high nitrogen metal amino acid chelates that can increase the metabolic activity or metal concentration in plants. In one embodiment, an amino acid composition can comprise an amino acid chelate with a first metal and first amino acid ligand, where the first amino acid ligand has at least two nitrogen atoms, and an amino acid complex different from the amino acid chelate having a second metal and second amino acid ligand. The amino acid composition can also include nitrogen salts, proteinates, urea, nitric acid, ammonium nitrate, hydrolyzed animal sourced or plant sourced proteins, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and compositions which include high nitrogen metal amino acid chelates that can increase the metabolic activity or metal concentration in animals. In one embodiment, an amino acid composition can comprise an amino acid chelate with a first metal and first amino acid ligand, where the first amino acid ligand is devoid of a disulfide bond and has at least two nitrogen atoms, and an amino acid complex different from the amino acid chelate having a second metal and second amino acid ligand. The amino acid composition can also include nitrogen salts, proteinates, urea, nitric acid, carnitine, creatine, glucosamine, chondroitin, chitosan, nitrogen-containing botanicals, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Described are cereal grain kernels fortified with iron and calcium. Also described is a process for making cereal grain kernels fortified with iron and calcium, the process comprising providing cereal grain kernels and mixing said kernels with a composition comprising an iron source and a calcium source.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to compositions and methods that include iron (II) amino acid chelate having a reducing agent bonded thereto. The reducing agent can be configured to substantially maintain the iron (II) in its ferrous oxidation state. The iron (II) amino acid chelate can have an amino acid ligand to iron (II) molar ratio from 1:1 to 2:1 and a reducing agent ligand to iron (II) molar ratio from 1:1 to 4:1, with a proviso that the combination of the amino acid ligands and the reducing agent ligands satisfies from 3 to 6 of the coordination sites of the iron (II).

Abstract: A method of enhancing a mineral level in an animal with reduced environmental impact can comprise orally administering a metal amino acid chelate to an animal, wherein the amino acid to metal molar ratio of the metal amino acid chelate is from about 1:1 to 4:1. The metal can contribute to a mineral level within the blood and tissues of the animal that is effective for stimulating growth of the animal to a greater degree than would be realized by administering the same amount of metal in the form of an inorganic metal salt. Additionally, the amount of the metal excreted in the feces of the animal can be less than would be present when administering the same amount of metal in the form of the inorganic metal salt. The metal amino acid chelate can also serve as a source highly bioavailable amino acids, so that the excretion of nitrates by the animal may be reduced while still promoting efficient growth.

Abstract: Described are cereal grain kernels fortified with iron and calcium. Also described is a process for making cereal grain kernels fortified with iron and calcium, the process comprising providing cereal grain kernels and mixing said kernels with a composition comprising an iron source and a calcium source.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to an ephedra- and artificial stimulant-free energy promoting composition, comprising effective amounts of a magnesium amino acid chelate, a B vitamin, a pyruvate salt, and rhodiola. These ingredients work synergistically together to provide energy, without the use of artificial stimulants, caffeine, or ephedrine. Additional amino acid chelates can also be present, such as iron amino acid chelate, zinc amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate, manganese amino acid chelate, chromium amino acid chelate, and mixtures of second amino acid chelates.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the solubility of iron amino acid chelates and iron proteinates is disclosed. This is accomplished by mixing an effective amount of an organic acid solubilizing agent into existing iron amino acid chelates or iron proteinates. The iron amino acid chelates and iron proteinates may have a ligand to metal molar ratio from about 1:1 to 4:1, preferably 2:1 to 3:1.

Abstract: A composition and method of preparing amino acid chelates and complexes free of interfering ions by blending an amino acid ligand, a calcium oxide and/or hydroxide, and a hydrated metal sulfate salt, placing the blend in a closed environment, heating the blend, and allowing the blend to react is disclosed and described. By heating at low to moderate temperatures in an enclosed environment, the waters of hydration of the metal salt are retained in the enclosed environment and serve to provide the moisture necessary to enable a bonding reaction to take place between the electron rich functional groups of the ligand and the metal ion of the hydrated metal sulfate salt. Additionally, calcium sulfate is formed which can be maintained in the final product.

Abstract: A method for reducing alcohol desire or dependency in a human can comprise the steps of administering a chelate or a combination of chelates to a human having alcohol dependency symptoms or an unwanted desire for alcohol. Ligands that can be used include carnitine, naturally occurring amino acids, and various thiamine molecules. Metals that can be used include nutritionally relevant metals, including copper, zinc, and manganese, to name a few.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the solubility of iron amino acid chelates and iron proteinates is disclosed. This is accomplished by mixing an effective amount of an organic acid solubilizing agent into existing iron amino acid chelates or iron proteinates. The iron amino acid chelates and iron proteinates may have a ligand to metal molar ratio from about 1:1 to 4:1, preferably 2:1 to 3:1.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of preparing amino acid chelates and complexes are disclosed and described. Specifically, by (a) combining a hydrated metal sulfate salt with an amino acid ligand to form a particulate blend, (b) placing the particulate blend in an enclosed environment; and (c) applying heat to the particulate blend in the enclosed environment causing the waters of hydration of the metal sulfate salt to be released into the enclosed environment causing a reaction resulting in the formation of an amino acid chelate or complex by effecting the reaction between functional electron rich groups of the amino acid ligand and a metal ion of the metal sulfate salt. The waters of hydration serve to provide the water necessary to enable a bonding reaction to take place between the electron rich functional groups of the amino acid ligand and the metal ion of the hydrated metal sulfate salt.

Abstract: A non-steroid containing anabolic nutrient formulation for the building and sustaining of muscle mass in humans or other warm-blooded animals, that enables the body to synthesize and maintain muscle at a mass and in a manner optimally suited to the genetic makeup of that person or animal. The formulation comprises effective amounts of a chromium salt, complex or chelate and a magnesium glycyl glutaminate chelate. Optionally, one or more additional nutrients selected from the group consisting of a magnesium amino acid chelate or proteinate, an .alpha.-glutaric acid salt of ornithine, creatine or a salt thereof, and a branched chain amino acid selected from the group consisting of leucine, isoleucine and valine and mixtures thereof may be included.

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: A palatable metal amino acid chelate for administration to humans and other warm-blooded animals is disclosed wherein there are sufficient ligands to provide ionic and coordinate covalent bonds equal to the coordination number of the central metal ion while, at the same time, maintaining charge balance in the chelate molecule. There must be at least one ligand of the polydentate type which must be an .alpha.-amino acid with the further proviso that any unidentate or polydentate ligand(s) must be charge balanced organic ligands. Charge balancing may be accomplished by means of an organic acid and dicarboxylic, hydroxycarboxylic, hydroxydicarboxylic or hydroxytricarboxylic acids in particular, which maintains the chelate molecule as an optimum pH for purposes of stability and palatability.

Abstract: A composition which provides for sustained energy and nutrition to support an anabolic physiological state in humans comprises a blend of simple sugars and more complex carbohydrates, partially hydrolyzed protein, and, at least, magnesium in the form of an amino acid chelate. Preferably the carbohydrate source is a blend of about 5-45% crystalline fructose and 55-95% glucose polymers by weight. Other ingredients, including lipids, bioavailable minerals in the form of amino acid chelates, anabolic nutrients, vitamins, antioxidants, and lipotropic agents may be added as desired to provide an optimal sustained energy and anabolic nutrition formulation. When administered, the carbohydrate blend, protein source, and amino acid chelates facilitate sustained energy and delivery of nutrients to appropriate sites within the body for efficient utilization in anabolic physiology.