Highly soluble nutritional compositions containing calcium

Abstract

The present invention provides novel compositions containing calcium and/or other minerals (as single mineral compositions or as multiple mineral compositions), methods for making these compositions, and methods for delivering the compositions. The compositions provide soluble bioavailable calcium and/or other minerals at a high concentration due to the high solubility attained through the processing method contained in this patent. Addition by these methods of other mineral(s) to calcium increases the stability and solubility of the calcium. The compositions of the present invention are powders that can be reconstituted in aqueous solutions. The compositions of the present invention also are very stable, allowing for a long shelf life of the compositions and of foods supplemented with the compositions.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of making a powder for human or animal consumption having improved orcanoleptic qualities, comprising 
 making an aqueous slurry containing calcium and magnesium;    fully solubilizing said aqueous slurry in an aqueous acid solution to produce a solution containing solubilized calcium and magnesium; and    drying said solution containing solubilized calcium and magnesium to produce a dried, readily solubilizable product having an amorphous structure, wherein the product is adapted for human consumption in a form selected from the group consisting of 
 (i) solubilized in an aqueous solution to produced solubilized calcium and solubilized magnesium, such that solubilized magnesium is present in an amount effective to enhance the solubility and long term stability if of the solubilized calcium,  
 (ii) a dried powder in granular form.  
 (iii) a dried powder in tabular form.  
 (iv) incorporated into a gum,  
 (v) incorporated into pharmaceutical dose.  
 (vi) incorporated into a beverage, and  
 (vii) incorporated into a food.  
   
     
     
         2 . The method of making a powder for human consumption according to  claim 1 , wherein the form of the product for human consumption selected is incorporated into a beverage and the beverage is selected from the group consisting of tea, fruit juice, carbonated drinks and sports drinks.  
     
     
         3 . The method of making a powder for human or animal consumption according to  claim 1 , wherein the form of the product for human consumption selected is incorporated into a food and the food is selected from the group consisting of candy, gelatin products and puddings.  
     
     
         4 . The method of making a powder for human or animal consumption according to  claim 1 , wherein the form of the product for human consumption selected is solubilized in an aqueous solution to produce solubilized calcium and solubilized magnesium, such that solubilized magnesium is present in an amount effective to enhance the solubility and long term stability of the solubilized calcium, and the method further includes the steps of: 
 solubilizing the dried compound having an amorphous structure in water to produce a drink containing solubilized calcium and solubilized magnesium; and    packaging the drink in a sealed container.    wherein the drink in the sealed container has a shelf life of at least 6 months with the calcium remaining in solution for said at least 6 months.    
     
     
         5 . The method of making a powder for human or animal consumption according to  claim 4 , wherein the form of the product for human consumption selected is incorporated into a beverage and the beverage is selected from the group consisting of tea, fruit juice, carbonated drinks and sports drinks.  
     
     
         6 . The method of making a powder for human or animal consumption according to  claim 1 , wherein the magnesium and calcium in the product are present in a magnesium:calcium weight ratio of from 1:1 to 1:10.  
     
     
         7 . The method of making a powder for human consumption according to  claim 2 , wherein the magnesium and calcium in the product are present in a magnesium:calcium weight ratio of from 1:1 to 1:10.  
     
     
         8 . The method of making a powder for human or animal consumption according to  claim 3 , wherein the magnesium and calcium in the product are present in a magnesium:calcium weight ratio of from 1:1 to 1:10.  
     
     
         9 . The method of making a powder for human or animal consumption according to  claim 4 , wherein the magnesium and calcium in the product are present in a magnesium:calcium weight ratio of from 1:1 to 1:10.  
     
     
         10 . The method of making a powder for human or animal consumption according to  claim 5 , wherein the magnesium and calcium in the product are present in a magnesium:calcium weight ratio of from 1:1 to 1:10  
     
     
         11 . The method of making a powder for human or animal consumption according to  claim 1 , wherein the product has an individual serving size of at least 250 mg of calcium are present in an individual serving.  
     
     
         12 . The method of making a powder for human or animal consumption according to  claim 2 , wherein the product has an individual serving size of at least 250 mg of calcium are present in an individual serving.  
     
     
         13 . The method of making a powder for human or animal consumption according to  claim 3 , wherein the product has an individual serving size of at least 250 mg of calcium are present in an individual serving.  
     
     
         14 . The method of making a powder for human or animal consumption according to  claim 4 , wherein the product has an individual serving size of at least 250 mg of calcium are present in an individual serving.  
     
     
         15 . The method of making a powder for human or animal consumption according to  claim 5 , wherein the product has an individual serving size of at least 250 mg of calcium are present in an individual serving.  
     
     
         16 . A liquid supplement comprising 
 water;    solubilized calcium; and    solubilized magnesium.    wherein the solubilized calcium is present in a ratio of at least 250 m g solubilized calcium per 8 fluid ounces of water and the solubilized magnesium is present in an amount effective to enhance the solubility of the solubilized calcium such that the solubilized calcium is operative to remain in solution in the liquid supplement without precipitating therefrom for at least 6 months.    
     
     
         17 . The liquid supplement of  claim 16  wherein the solubilized calcium is present in a ratio of at least 333 mg solubilized calcium per 8 fluid ounces of water.  
     
     
         18 . The liquid supplement of  claim 16  wherein the solubilized calcium is present in a ratio of at least 500 mg solubilized calcium per 8 fluid ounces of water.  
     
     
         19 . The liquid supplement of  claim 16  wherein the solubilized calcium is present in a ratio of at least 1000 mg solubilized calcium per 8 fluid ounces of water.  
     
     
         20 . A liquid for consumption by a mammal, comprising: 
 water;    solubilized calcium; and    solubilized magnesium,    wherein the calcium is present in the water in a calcium:water ratio by weight of from about 250:230 to about 1000:230 and the solubilized magnesium is present in an amount effective to enhance the solubility of the solubilized calcium such that the solubilized calcium is operative to remain in solution in the liquid supplement without precipitating therefrom for at least 6 months.