Non-liquid vitamin compositions

Abstract

A method for orally administering vitamin preparations is described which combine vitamin B 12 (B 12 , cobalamin) and folic acid (folate), with and without pyridoxine (B 6 ), for preventing and treating elevated serum homocysteine (HC), cystathionine (CT), methylmalonic acid (MMA), or 2-methylcitric acid (2-MCA) levels. These metabolites have been shown to be indicative of B 12 and/or folic acid deficiencies. Further, it is likely that a B 6 deficiency may be present with a B 12 or folate deficiency. The method of the invention is also for use in lowering serum HC, CT, MMA, or 2-MCA in patients with or at risk for neuropsychiatric, vascular, renal or hematologic diseases. The method of the present invention eliminates the costly and time consuming steps of distinguishing between vitamin deficiencies once a deficiency is found by measurement of serum metabolite levels. The present invention is of particular benefit to the populations at risk for elevated serum metabolite levels, such as the people over the age of 65, and populations that have or are at risk for neuropsychiatric, vascular, renal and hematologic diseases.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A non-liquid formulation, comprising 2-10 mg vitamin B12 and 0.1-0.4 mg folic acid.  
     
     
         2 . The formulation of  claim 1 , having approximately 0.4 mg folic acid.  
     
     
         3 . The formulation of  claim 2 , having approximately 2 mg vitamin B12.  
     
     
         4 . A non-liquid formulation, comprising 2-10 mg vitamin B12 and 0.1-0.4 mg folic acid and 5-75 mg vitamin B6.  
     
     
         5 . The formulation of  claim 4 , having approximately 25 mg vitamin B6.  
     
     
         6 . The formulation of  claim 5 , having approximately 0.4 mg folic acid.  
     
     
         7 . The formulation of  claim 6 , having approximately 2 mg vitamin B12.  
     
     
         8 . A non-liquid formulation, comprising 2-10 mg vitamin B12 and 0.4-10 mg folic acid.  
     
     
         9 . The formulation of  claim 8 , having approximately 1 mg folic acid.  
     
     
         10 . The formulation of  claim 8 , having approximately 2 mg folic acid.  
     
     
         11 . The formulation of  claim 8 , having approximately 2.5 mg folic acid.  
     
     
         12 . The formulation of  claim 8 , having approximately 2 mg vitamin B12.  
     
     
         13 . The formulation of  claim 12 , having approximately 1 mg folic acid.  
     
     
         14 . The formulation of  claim 12 , having approximately 2 mg folic acid.  
     
     
         15 . The formulation of  claim 12 , having approximately 2.5 mg folic acid.  
     
     
         16 . A non-liquid formulation, comprising 2-10 mg vitamin B12 and 0.4-10 mg folic acid and 5-75 mg vitamin B6.  
     
     
         17 . The formulation of  claim 16 , having approximately 25 mg vitamin B6.  
     
     
         18 . The formulation of  claim 17 , having approximately 1 mg folic acid.  
     
     
         19 . The formulation of  claim 17 , having approximately 2 mg folic acid.  
     
     
         20 . The formulation of  claim 17 , having approximately 2.5 mg folic acid.  
     
     
         21 . The formulation of  claim 16 , having approximately 2 mg vitamin B12.  
     
     
         22 . The formulation of  claim 21 , having approximately 25 mg vitamin B6.  
     
     
         23 . The formulation of  claim 22 , having approximately 1 mg folic acid.  
     
     
         24 . The formulation of  claim 22 , having approximately 2 mg folic acid.  
     
     
         25 . The formulation of  claim 22 , having approximately 2.5 mg folic acid.  
     
     
         26 . A non-liquid formulation, comprising 0.3-10 mg vitamin B12 and 2-10 mg folic acid.  
     
     
         27 . The formulation of  claim 26 , having approximately 2 mg folic acid.  
     
     
         28 . The formulation of  claim 26 , having approximately 2.5 mg folic acid.  
     
     
         29 . The formulation of  claim 27 , having approximately 1 mg vitamin B12.  
     
     
         30 . The formulation of  claim 28 , having approximately 1 mg vitamin B12.  
     
     
         31 . A non-liquid formulation, comprising 0.3-10 mg vitamin B12 and 2-10 mg folic acid and 5-75 mg vitamin B6.  
     
     
         32 . The formulation of  claim 31 , having approximately 25 mg vitamin B6.  
     
     
         33 . The formulation of  claim 32 , having approximately 2 mg folic acid.  
     
     
         34 . The formulation of  claim 32 , having approximately 2.5 mg folic acid.  
     
     
         35 . The formulation of  claim 31 , having approximately 2 mg folic acid.  
     
     
         36 . The formulation of  claim 31 , having approximately 2.5 mg folic acid.  
     
     
         37 . The formulation of  claim 31 , having approximately 1 mg vitamin B12.  
     
     
         38 . The formulation of  claim 37 , having approximately 25 mg vitamin B6.  
     
     
         39 . The formulation of  claim 38 , having approximately 2 mg folic acid.  
     
     
         40 . The formulation of  claim 38 , having approximately 2.5 mg folic acid.