Nutritional supplement system
AssigneeShaklee Corporation
InventorsKuei-tu Chang, Carsten R. Smidt, John Castillo, William J. Mergens
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A multi-part nutritional supplement system supplies nutrients to a user at advantageous locations in the digestive tract. One type of dosage unit is formulated to release vitamin B12 in the stomach and intestines of the upper GI tract, advantageously in an amount that is greater than or at multiple levels of the DV (Daily Value) of vitamin B12.
Claims21
A method for treating vitamin deficiency in a human subject in need thereof, the method comprising orally administering to a human subject a nutritional supplement system consisting essentially of:
- a first nutritional supplement dosage unit, the first dosage unit being formulated to release one or more nutrients in the stomach of a human subject;
- a second nutritional supplement dosage unit, the second dosage unit being formulated to release one or more nutrients in the upper intestinal tract of the subject, the one or more nutrients being selected from the group consisting of nutrients that do not require release in the stomach and exposure to stomach acid for efficient digestion and absorption and that cause tolerance problems or are subject to a loss in biological activity when released in the stomach;
- a third nutritional supplement dosage unit, the third dosage unit being formulated to continually release one or more nutrients starting in the stomach and continuing into the upper intestinal tract of the subject, the one or more nutrients being selected from the group consisting of water-soluble nutrients and other nutrients that are typically very rapidly absorbed and are best delivered by sustained release so as to maintain an elevated concentration in the body over time;
- and
- a fourth nutritional supplement dosage unit, the fourth dosage unit being formulated to release one or more supplement ingredients in the lower intestinal tract of the subject, the supplement ingredients being selected from the group consisting of nutrients and other supplement ingredients that are adversely affected by exposure to stomach acid or stomach digestion.
A nutritional supplement system for human subjects consisting essentially of:
- a first nutritional supplement dosage unit, the first dosage unit being formulated to release one or more nutrients in the stomach of a human subject;
- a second nutritional supplement dosage unit, the second dosage unit being formulated to release one or more nutrients in the upper intestinal tract of the subject, the one or more nutrients being selected from the group consisting of nutrients that do not require release in the stomach and exposure to stomach acid for efficient digestion and absorption and that cause tolerance problems or are subject to a loss in biological activity when released in the stomach;
- a third nutritional supplement dosage unit, the third dosage unit being formulated to continually release one or more nutrients starting in the stomach and continuing into the upper intestinal tract of the subject, the one or more nutrients being selected from the group consisting of water-soluble nutrients and other nutrients that are typically very rapidly absorbed and are best delivered by sustained release so as to maintain an elevated concentration in the body over time;
- and
- a fourth nutritional supplement dosage unit, the fourth dosage unit being formulated to release one or more supplement ingredients in the lower intestinal tract of the subject, the supplement ingredients being selected from the group consisting of nutrients and other supplement ingredients that are adversely affected by exposure to stomach acid or stomach digestion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.