The present invention relates to a formulation in the form of an aqueous suspension comprising calcium citrate. Said formulation exhibits excellent stability and compliance and finds use in calcium supplementation in subjects in need of such supplementation.

The present invention relates to a formulation in the form of an aqueous suspension comprising calcium citrate. Said formulation exhibits excellent stability and compliance and finds use in calcium supplementation in subjects in need of such supplementation.

The present invention relates to a formulation in the form of an aqueous suspension comprising calcium citrate. Said formulation exhibits excellent stability and compliance and finds use in calcium supplementation in subjects in need of such supplementation.

Described herein is a sugar-depleted fruit or vegetable juice product, wherein said juice product is a fruit or vegetable juice or juice-retaining fruit or vegetable derived matter, wherein said juice product contains at least about 5 g/l gluconic acid and said juice product contains any two or three, of (i) at least about 0.5 g/l Ca.sup.2+, (ii) at least about 1 g/l K.sup.+, and (iii) at least about 0.1 g/l Mg.sup.2+. Also provided are methods of producing the same and the use thereof to assist in maintaining the health and well-being of a subject and in the treatment and prevention of medical ailments, specifically those associated with the over-consumption of glucose and/or sucrose or inappropriate metabolism of glucose, e.g. metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus type II, obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, hypertension and liver steatosis.

Described herein is a sugar-depleted fruit or vegetable juice product, wherein said juice product is a fruit or vegetable juice or juice-retaining fruit or vegetable derived matter, wherein said juice product contains at least about 5 g/l gluconic acid and said juice product contains any two or three, of (i) at least about 0.5 g/l Ca.sup.2+, (ii) at least about 1 g/l K.sup.+, and (iii) at least about 0.1 g/l Mg.sup.2+. Also provided are methods of producing the same and the use thereof to assist in maintaining the health and well-being of a subject and in the treatment and prevention of medical ailments, specifically those associated with the over-consumption of glucose and/or sucrose or inappropriate metabolism of glucose, e.g. metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus type II, obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, hypertension and liver steatosis.

A method for treating osteoarthritis according to an embodiment of the present invention includes administering to a subject in need thereof a composition comprising an extract of Alpinia oxyphylla. The extract of Alpinia oxyphylla can reduce the expression of IL-1, IL-6, TNF- and COX-2 as an inflammatory factor and also the expression of MMP-9 as a cartilage degeneration-inducing factor, and can heal the cartilage damage, and thus it can be advantageously used as a functional health food composition for prevention or improvement of osteoarthritis or a therapeutic agent for osteoarthritis.

An improved manufacturing process produces microcrystalline hydroxyapatite with sustained gradual calcium release that avoids spiking in blood calcium levels. Although the improved material did not cause significant elevation of blood calcium, it was just as effective in promoting bone mineralization as conventional calcium supplements. In addition, the material has much higher levels of bone growth factors as compared to prior hydroxyapatite products.

An improved manufacturing process produces microcrystalline hydroxyapatite with sustained gradual calcium release that avoids spiking in blood calcium levels. Although the improved material did not cause significant elevation of blood calcium, it was just as effective in promoting bone mineralization as conventional calcium supplements. In addition, the material has much higher levels of bone growth factors as compared to prior hydroxyapatite products.

[Problem to be solved] To provide a beverage which contains a high concentration of glucosamine in a stable condition, contains a high concentration of calcium, forms few precipitates, and has a good taste.

[Solution] The beverage comprises glucosamine or a salt thereof, calcium, phosphoric acid, malic acid, and citric acid, wherein the content of glucosamine or the salt thereof is 1.0 mass % or more in terms of glucosamine, the content of calcium is 0.15 mass % or more, and pH of the beverage is 3.4 or less.

[Problem to be solved] To provide a beverage which contains a high concentration of glucosamine in a stable condition, contains a high concentration of calcium, forms few precipitates, and has a good taste.

[Solution] The beverage comprises glucosamine or a salt thereof, calcium, phosphoric acid, malic acid, and citric acid, wherein the content of glucosamine or the salt thereof is 1.0 mass % or more in terms of glucosamine, the content of calcium is 0.15 mass % or more, and pH of the beverage is 3.4 or less.