Method for increasing serotonin levels in a person by administration of a composition incorporating (-)-hydroxycitric acid, and related compositions thereof

Abstract

A method for increasing serotonin levels in a person includes identifying a person having a deficient serotonin level and administering to the person a composition incorporating hydroxycitric acid, preferably in the form of an extract of Garcinia cambogia, in an amount sufficient to increase the person's serotonin levels. The method also can incorporate administering chromium, preferably in the form of oxygen-coordinated, niacin-bound chromium, and gymnemic acid, preferably in the form of an extract of Gymnema sylvestre, to synergistically work to further increase serotonin levels in the person.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method for increasing serotonin levels in a person, comprising: 
 identifying a person having or at risk for having deficient serotonin levels; and    administering to the person a composition comprising an amount of (−)-hydroxycitric acid effective to increase serotonin levels in the person.    
     
     
         2 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of administering comprises administering an amount of (−)-hydroxycitric acid effective to increase serotonin levels in the person sufficient to suppress the appetite of the person.  
     
     
         3 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of administering comprises administering an amount of (−)-hydroxycitric acid effective to increase serotonin levels sufficient to alleviate mood disorders in the person.  
     
     
         4 . A method as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the mood disorders include depression, anxiety, affective disorders, premenstrual dysphoria, insomnia, sleep-wake disturbances, binge eating, bulemia, and obsessive-compulsive disorders.  
     
     
         5 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of administering comprises administering an amount of (−)-hydroxycitric acid effective to increase serotonin levels in the person sufficient to increase energy expenditure by the person.  
     
     
         6 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of administering comprises administering an amount of (−)-hydroxycitric acid effective to increase serotonin levels in the person sufficient to promote decrease of body weight of the person.  
     
     
         7 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of administering comprises administering a composition comprising an extract of  Garcinia cambogia.    
     
     
         8 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of administering comprises administering between about 2,700 and about 2,800 mg of (−)-hydroxycitric acid per day.  
     
     
         9 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of administering comprises administering the composition in three approximately equal increments per day.  
     
     
         10 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of administering comprises administering the composition between about 45 and about 60 minutes prior to consumption of a meal by the person.  
     
     
         11 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of administering comprises administering a composition comprising an amount of chromium sufficient, in combination with the amount of (−)-hydroxycitric acid, to increase serotonin levels in the person.  
     
     
         12 . A method as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the step of administering comprises administering a composition comprising niacin-bound chromium.  
     
     
         13 . A method as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the step of administering comprises administering a composition comprising oxygen-coordinated, niacin-bound chromium.  
     
     
         14 . A method as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the step of administering comprises administering about 400 mcg of chromium per day.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of administering comprises administering a composition comprising an amount of gymnemic acid sufficient, in combination with the amount of (−)-hydroxycitric acid, to increase serotonin levels in the person.  
     
     
         16 . A method as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the step of administering comprises administering a composition comprising an extract of  Gymnema sylvestre.    
     
     
         17 . A method as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the step of administering comprises administering about 100 mg of gymnemic acid per day.  
     
     
         18 . A composition comprising (−)-hydroxycitric acid, chromium, and gymnemic acid.  
     
     
         19 . A composition as defined in  claim 18 , comprising between about 900 and about 930 mg (−)-hydroxycitric acid, about 133 mcg chromium, and about 33 mg gymnemic acid.  
     
     
         20 . A composition as defined in  claim 18 , wherein the composition consists essentially of an extract of  Garcinia cambogia,  an extract of  Gymnema sylvestre,  and niacin-bound chromium.  
     
     
         21 . A composition as defined in  claim 20 , wherein the composition consists essentially of between about 1,500 and about 1,550 mg of the extract of  Garcinia cambogia,  about 130 mg of the extract of  Gymnema sylvestre,  and about 1.3 mg of the niacin-bound chromium.  
     
     
         22 . A composition as defined in  claim 18 , wherein the composition is in the form of a pill, tablet, capsule, powder, lozenge, or gum, or liquid.  
     
     
         23 . A composition as defined in  claim 18 , wherein the composition is in the form of a food or beverage.  
     
     
         24 . A composition as defined in  claim 23 , wherein the food is in the form of a food bar.  
     
     
         25 . A composition as defined in  claim 23 , wherein the beverage is in the form of a shake.