Juice beverage for prevention and treatment of renal stones

Abstract

Described are edible citrate-rich compositions, including natural juice beverages fortified with natural occurring citrates and synthesized citrate sources that will aid in treatment and prevention of urolithiasis and other urinary tract disorders. Urolithiasis encompasses conditions in which stones are formed or reside in the urinary system and includes nephrolithiasis (stones in the kidneys), ureterolithiasis (stones in the ureter) and cystolithiasis (stones in the bladder)

1 . A formulation for treating urinary tract disorders comprising,
 at least one natural juice,   water,   a sweetener,   citric acid,   a citric blend; and   flavoring.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The formulation for treating urinary tract disorders according to  claim 1 , wherein the citric blend is comprised of potassium citrate, magnesium citrate and monosodium citrate. 
     
     
         4 . The formulation for treating urinary tract disorders according to  claim 1 , wherein the citric blend is comprised of zinc citrate, magnesium citrate anhydrous and monosodium citrate. 
     
     
         5 . The formulation for treating urinary tract disorders according to  claim 1 , wherein the natural juice is a citrate-containing juice in the form of juice concentrates selected from the group consisting of orange juice, lemon juice, lemonade, tangerine juice, pineapple juice, grape juice, cranberry juice and grapefruit juice. 
     
     
         6 . The formulation for treating urinary tract disorders according to  claim 1 , wherein citrate is present in a range of 2000 mg-6400 mg per 8 ounce serving and the source of citrate is at least one source selected from the group consisting of a citrate-containing juice, potassium citrate, sodium citrate, magnesium citrate, zinc citrate citric acid, and calcium citrate. 
     
     
         7 . The formulation for treating urinary tract disorders according to  claim 1 , wherein citrate is present in about 4500 mg per 8 ounce serving and the source of citrate is at least one source selected from the group consisting of a citrate-containing juice, potassium citrate, sodium citrate, magnesium citrate, zinc citrate citric acid, and calcium citrate. 
     
     
         8 . A method of increasing urinary citrate levels and producing alkalization of urine in an individual in need thereof, comprising administering a the formulation for treating urinary tract disorders according to  claim 1  in an amount sufficient to increase citrate levels in the individual's urine and produce urine of pH from about 6 to about 7.1, wherein the citrate-rich composition is administered in at least one dose per day. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the formulation for treating urinary tract disorders are administered in multiple doses over a 24 hour period. 
     
     
         10 . The method of increasing urinary citrate levels and producing alkalization of urine in an individual in need thereof according to  claim 8  wherein the formulation for treating urinary tract disorders is administered over an extended period of time, which can be two or more days, a week or more, a month or more, many months, a year or more, many years or as needed throughout the individual's life. 
     
     
         11 . The formulation for treating urinary tract disorders according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one nutrient selected from the group consisting of soluble calcium, soluble potassium, soluble magnesium, soluble zinc, mineral supplements and vitamin supplements. 
     
     
         12 . The formulation for treating urinary tract disorders according to  claim 1 , further comprising, soluble fiber. 
     
     
         13 . The formulation for treating urinary tract disorders according to  claim 1 , wherein the sweetener is selected from the group consisting of sucrose, fructose, glucose, honey, galactose, maltose, lactose, honey, stevia, erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The formulation for treating urinary tract disorders according to  claim 1 , wherein said water is about 80 to about 85%;
 said juice concentrate is selected from the group consisting of lemon juice concentrate; orange juice concentrate; lime juice concentrate or a combination thereof in a concentration of about 5 to about 13 percent w/w;   said sweetener is sugar in a concentration of about 4 to 9 percent w/w;   said citric acid is in a concentration of about 0.1 to 0.5 percent w/w;   said citrate blend is in a total concentration of about 1 to 2.5 percent w/w and selected from the group consisting of zinc citrate, potassium citrate, magnesium citrate, monosodium citrate or any combination thereof; and   said flavor is a natural flavor selected from the group of strawberry, orange and raspberry, wherein said flavor is a combination of at least two in a concentration of about 0.1 to about 1.0 percent w/w.   
     
     
         15 . A method of fortifying a natural juice to increase the citrate content comprising;
 selecting a citrate-containing juices selected from the group consisting of orange juice, lemon juice, tangerine juice, pineapple juice, grape juice, cranberry juice and grapefruit juice; and   adding an additional source of citrate that a non-juice citrate source, said citrate source selected from the group consisting of potassium citrate, sodium citrate, calcium citrate, zinc citrate, magnesium citrate, citric acid and combinations thereof, wherein said citrate source is added in sufficient amounts to produce a citrate-rich beverage in which the citrate content is from about 2500 mg to about 6400 mg per 8 ounce serving.   
     
     
         16 . The method of fortifying a natural juice according to  claim 15 , further comprising the step of adding at least one nutrient selected from the group consisting of soluble calcium, soluble potassium, soluble magnesium, mineral supplements and vitamin supplements. 
     
     
         17 . The method of fortifying a natural juice according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of adding soluble fiber and sugar. 
     
     
         18 . The method of fortifying a natural juice according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of adding soluble fiber and a sweetener. 
     
     
         19 . The method of fortifying a natural juice according to  claim 18  wherein said sweetener is selected from the group consisting of sucrose, fructose, glucose, honey, galactose, maltose, lactose, honey, stevia, erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         20 . A method of preparing a formulation for treating urinary tract disorders comprising the steps of:
 blending citrate sources and water and heating to at least 100° F., mixing until dissolved;   adding sweetener until dissolved;   adding juice concentrates and flavor and mix until dissolved;   pasteurizing by heating to about 185° F. creating a hot fill; and   filling said hot fill in glass bottles.