Composition comprising micro-encapsulated iron

Abstract

A composition useful in the prevention of iron deficiency anemia the composition comprises micro-encapsulated iron granules in combination with a lipid-based excipient. The composition may additionally contain other micro-nutrients including ascorbic acid, zinc, vitamin A and iodine. The composition is particularly useful for the prevention of iron deficiency anemia in infants between the ages of 6 and 24 months of age since it can readily be admixed with the semi-solid foods this age group consumes.

1 . A method of preventing iron deficiency anemia in a mammal, the method comprising: 
 administering to the mammal a composition comprising granules formed upon admixture of a therapeutically effective amount of elemental iron as microencapsulated iron granules and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises at least one additional micronutrient.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount includes a single daily dose of the iron granules.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount includes a single daily dose of the iron granules.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the mammal is a pregnant woman.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the daily dose is at least about 15 mg of elemental iron.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the daily dose is between about 15 and about 34 mg of elemental iron.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein administering the composition includes adding the composition to food and administering the food to the mammal.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein administering the composition includes adding the composition to food and administering the food to the mammal.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein administering the composition includes adding the composition to food and administering the food to the mammal.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein administering the composition includes adding the composition to food and administering the food to the mammal.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing the composition in a sealed package, optionally a sachet.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising providing the composition in a sealed package, optionally a sachet.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising providing the composition in a sealed package, optionally a sachet.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising providing the composition in a sealed package, optionally a sachet.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising providing the composition in a sealed package, optionally a sachet.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the excipient is a lipid-based excipient.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the excipient is a lipid-based excipient.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the excipient is a lipid-based excipient.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the excipient is a lipid-based excipient.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the excipient is a lipid-based excipient.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the excipient is a lipid-based excipient.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the excipient is a lipid-based excipient.  
     
     
         24 . An article of manufacture comprising a sealed package and a composition therein, the composition being a treatment for preventing iron deficiency anemia, wherein the composition comprises that formed upon admixture of a single daily dose of a therapeutically effective amount of elemental iron as microencapsulated iron granules in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, and at least one bioavailable form of an additional micronutrient.  
     
     
         25 . The article of  claim 24 , wherein the package is a sachet.  
     
     
         26 . The article of  claim 24 , wherein the excipient is a lipid-based excipient.  
     
     
         27 . The article of  claim 25 , wherein the excipient is a lipid-based excipient.  
     
     
         28 . An article of manufacture comprising a sealed package and a composition therein, which package comprises a label which indicates that the composition comprises a treatment for preventing iron deficiency anemia, and the composition comprises that formed upon admixture of a single daily dose of a therapeutically effective amount of elemental iron as microencapsulated iron granules in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, and at least one bioavailable form of an additional micronutrient.  
     
     
         29 . A method for manufacturing a packaged composition for addition to food, the composition for preventing iron deficiency anemia in a mammal, the method comprising: 
 (a) admixing microencapsulated iron granules and an excipient;    (b) adding the admixture formed in step (a) to a package, wherein iron of the admixture consists essentially of a single daily dose of a therapeutically effective amount of elemental iron; and    (c) sealing the package.    
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the package is a sachet.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising the step of adding an additional micronutrient to the composition prior to step (c).  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the excipient is a lipid-based excipient.