It is an object of the present invention to provide methods for producing vitamin D that gives improved yields and reduced side product contamination. In various aspects, these methods provide for production of vitamin-D.sub.2 using ergosterol as provitamin D.sub.2 or a dihydroxy derivative thereof as a starting material, or production of vitamin-D.sub.3 using 7-dehydrocholesterol as provitamin D.sub.3 or a dihydroxy derivative thereof as the starting material. The methods described herein comprise irradiating the starting material in a solution including an organic or inorganic base with light in the wavelength range 245-360 nanometers (nm) to obtain a product containing pre-vitamin-D.sub.2 or pre-vitamin-D.sub.3, and heating the product to convert the resulting pre-vitamin-D.sub.2 or pre-vitamin-D.sub.3 to vitamin D.sub.2 or vitamin D.sub.3. In various embodiments, these methods further comprise recovering vitamin D.sub.2 or vitamin D.sub.3 from this reaction as a purified product.

The invention encompasses compositions and methods for effectively treating and/or preventing diabetes and/or obesity. This is accomplished by totally addressing the multiple mechanisms that lead to such conditions. The invention includes compositions comprising a combination of agents that effectively suppress, regulate or interfere with the various biochemical processes and mechanisms that lead to diabetes and obesity. The inventive compositions used for administration to human and other mammalian subjects comprise (1) at least one agent capable of modulating expression and/or activity of one or more of peroxisome activated protein receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), CAAT/enhancer binding protein-α (C/EBPα) and Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Protein (SREBP-1); (2) at least one agent capable of activating Wnt/β-catenin pathway; (3) at least one agent capable of activating the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway; (4) at least one agent that inhibits the activity of pro-oxidants including reactive nitrogen species and reactive oxygen species (ROS); (5) at least one agent that suppresses one or more of inflammatory mediators including interleukins IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB, TNF-α, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2); (6) at least one agent capable of enhancing glucose transporter (GLUT4) and/or inhibiting glucose transporter GLUT2; (7) at least one agent that induces the expression of and/or activates adiponectin and (8) at least one agent that induces the expression of and/or activates sirtuin (SIRT1). The active agents for use herein are natural materials such as phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals. Compositions with combinations of such natural agents have the ability to prevent, reduce or treat diabetes and obesity by (a) clearing glucose and fatty acids from blood, (b) reducing the number of adipose cells and fat storage, (c) interfering with fat, glucose, and cholesterol biosynthesis, and (d) promoting fat and glucose oxidation. Since the present compositions are aimed toward normalizing metabolism and energy expenditure and managing oxidative stress and inflammation, they are also beneficial in relation to physical activity, in particular performance, endurance, fatigue and recovery during intensive and continuous exercise/exertion.

The invention encompasses compositions and methods for effectively treating and/or preventing diabetes and/or obesity. This is accomplished by totally addressing the multiple mechanisms that lead to such conditions. The invention includes compositions comprising a combination of agents that effectively suppress, regulate or interfere with the various biochemical processes and mechanisms that lead to diabetes and obesity. The inventive compositions used for administration to human and other mammalian subjects comprise (1) at least one agent capable of modulating expression and/or activity of one or more of peroxisome activated protein receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), CAAT/enhancer binding protein-α (C/EBPα) and Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Protein (SREBP-1); (2) at least one agent capable of activating Wnt/β-catenin pathway; (3) at least one agent capable of activating the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway; (4) at least one agent that inhibits the activity of pro-oxidants including reactive nitrogen species and reactive oxygen species (ROS); (5) at least one agent that suppresses one or more of inflammatory mediators including interleukins IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB, TNF-α, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2); (6) at least one agent capable of enhancing glucose transporter (GLUT4) and/or inhibiting glucose transporter GLUT2; (7) at least one agent that induces the expression of and/or activates adiponectin and (8) at least one agent that induces the expression of and/or activates sirtuin (SIRT1). The active agents for use herein are natural materials such as phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals. Compositions with combinations of such natural agents have the ability to prevent, reduce or treat diabetes and obesity by (a) clearing glucose and fatty acids from blood, (b) reducing the number of adipose cells and fat storage, (c) interfering with fat, glucose, and cholesterol biosynthesis, and (d) promoting fat and glucose oxidation. Since the present compositions are aimed toward normalizing metabolism and energy expenditure and managing oxidative stress and inflammation, they are also beneficial in relation to physical activity, in particular performance, endurance, fatigue and recovery during intensive and continuous exercise/exertion.

The present technology relates to a nutritional formulation for administration to bariatric individuals. The nutritional formulation includes a multi-nutrients dosage unit; and a minerals dosage unit.

It is an object of the present invention to provide methods for producing vitamin D that gives improved yields and reduced side product contamination. In various aspects, these methods provide for production of vitamin-D.sub.2 using ergosterol as provitamin D.sub.2 or a dihydroxy derivative thereof as a starting material, or production of vitamin-D.sub.3 using 7-dehydrocholesterol as provitamin D.sub.3 or a dihydroxy derivative thereof as the starting material. The methods described herein comprise irradiating the starting material in a solution including an organic or inorganic base with light in the wavelength range 245-360 nanometers (nm) to obtain a product containing pre-vitamin-D.sub.2 or pre-vitamin-D.sub.3, and heating the product to convert the resulting pre-vitamin-D.sub.2 or pre-vitamin-D.sub.3 to vitamin D.sub.2 or vitamin D.sub.3. In various embodiments, these methods further comprise recovering vitamin D.sub.2 or vitamin D.sub.3 from this reaction as a purified product.

The invention is directed to compositions of vitamin D having enhanced bioavailability and enhanced stability. Methods of making and using the compositions of the invention are contemplated and disclosed.

The invention is directed to compositions of vitamin D having enhanced bioavailability and enhanced stability. Methods of making and using the compositions of the invention are contemplated and disclosed.

What is disclosed is a protein supplement drink mix comprising at least one base protein powder and a plurality of separately packaged second components, each second component having at least one different active ingredient pre-selected for the physiological needs regarding a pre-determined activity, age, and/or gender demographic. The first component and the second component are mixed generally with a liquid to provide a base for a protein drink, although a liquid can form a portion of the first component or second components.

What is disclosed is a protein supplement drink mix comprising at least one base protein powder and a plurality of separately packaged second components, each second component having at least one different active ingredient pre-selected for the physiological needs regarding a pre-determined activity, age, and/or gender demographic. The first component and the second component are mixed generally with a liquid to provide a base for a protein drink, although a liquid can form a portion of the first component or second components.

It is an object of the present invention to provide methods for producing vitamin D that gives improved yields and reduced side product contamination. In various aspects, these methods provide for production of vitamin-D.sub.2 using ergosterol as provitamin D.sub.2 or a dihydroxy derivative thereof as a starting material, or production of vitamin-D.sub.3 using 7-dehydrocholesterol as provitamin D.sub.3 or a dihydroxy derivative thereof as the starting material. The methods described herein comprise irradiating the starting material in a solution including an organic or inorganic base with light in the wavelength range 245-360 nanometers (nm) to obtain a product containing pre-vitamin-D.sub.2 or pre-vitamin-D.sub.3, and heating the product to convert the resulting pre-vitamin-D.sub.2 or pre-vitamin-D.sub.3 to vitamin D.sub.2 or vitamin D.sub.3. In various embodiments, these methods further comprise recovering vitamin D.sub.2 or vitamin D.sub.3 from this reaction as a purified product.