Compositions comprising a manganese mineral and methods of use

Abstract

Compositions comprising a manganese mineral are provided. In specific embodiments, the manganese mineral contains manganese carbonate (MnCO.sub.3), which may be in the form of rhodochrosite. The compositions may be administered topically to a subject, or in some versions by inhalation. For example, the compositions may be administered by direct contact with the subject's skin or by inhalation through the subject's nasal passages or mouth. Such application of the disclosed compositions may increase the subject's collagen synthesis, prolidase activity (an enzyme responsible for collagen function), and manganese superoxide dismutase activity (an antioxidant having manganese in its active site) in the subject.

Claims

1. A method of supplementing collagen synthesis in a subject, the method comprising: administering a composition containing a manganese mineral topically or by inhalation to the subject while the subject is undergoing collagen therapy; wherein the composition is a suspension of the manganese mineral in water, administered by immersion of the subject in the composition.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the manganese mineral contains MnCO.sub.3.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the manganese mineral is rhodochrosite.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the manganese mineral is insoluble in water.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the collagen therapy is orally administered as hydrolyzed collagen.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is a suspension of the manganese mineral in a fluid carrier.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is administered in the form of one or more of: a gel, a lotion, viscous water, and a hydrosol.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject is suffering from one or more of: facial wrinkles, hair loss, eyelash thinning, slow nail growth, elastosis, joint pain, fatigue, Raynaud's syndrome, and fibromyalgia.

9. The method of claim 1, comprising administering the collagen therapy to the subject.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject is human.

11. A method of supplementing collagen synthesis in a subject, the method comprising: administering a composition containing a manganese mineral topically or by inhalation to the subject while the subject is undergoing collagen therapy, wherein the subject is canine.

Description

IV. WORKING EXAMPLES

(1) Example 1. A 57-year-old female took a bovine collagen peptide supplement daily for three months to treat hair loss and skin elasticity. During the three months, this individual reported no visible improvement in skin elasticity or hair loss. At approximately the three-month mark, and in addition to a daily bovine collagen peptide supplement, the individual began using (1) a composition containing rhodochrosite in a bath four to five times a week, and (2) a gel composition containing rhodochrosite three to four times a week. While undergoing this regimen, the individual reported faster nail growth within two weeks, and faster head hair growth (approximately 0.5 inch of new growth) within three weeks. Finally, the individual reported an overall increase in energy level.

(2) Example 2. A 35-year-old female took a bovine collagen peptide supplement daily for one year for knee and hip pain without results. At approximately the one-year mark, and in addition to a daily bovine collagen peptide supplement, the individual began using a composition containing rhodochrosite in the bath four to five times a week. While undergoing this regimen, the individual reported a significant improvement in knee pain after one month, and a significant improvement in hip pain after two months. Finally, the individual reported an overall increase in energy level.

(3) Example 3. A 73-year-old female used various compositions containing rhodochrosite in the bath for two years. At approximately the two-year mark, and in addition to continued use of the compositions, this individual began taking a daily bovine collagen peptide supplement. While undergoing this regimen, the individual reported (1) a decrease in visible forehead wrinkles and faster nail growth within ten days, (2) new eyelash growth within three weeks, and (3) a decrease in visible facial wrinkles within four weeks.

(4) Example 4. A 57-year-old female diagnosed with Raynaud's syndrome used a gel composition containing rhodochrosite daily on her entire body. While undergoing this regimen, the individual reported a decrease in finger pain and joint pain within two weeks. Further, this individual reported that she would apply the gel after strenuous exercise and would notice an immediate relief in fatigue and pain. Finally, the individual reported an overall increase in energy level.

(5) Example 5. A 55-year-old female used (1) various compositions containing rhodochrosite in the bath three to four times a week for two years, and (2) a gel composition containing rhodochrosite four to five times per week for two years. At approximately the two-year mark, and in addition to continued use of the rhodochrosite compositions, this individual began taking a daily bovine collagen peptide supplement for hip and joint pain and skin elasticity. While undergoing this regimen, the individual reported (1) new eyelash growth within two weeks, (2) improved skin elasticity within three weeks, and (3) improvement in hip and joint pain within four weeks.

(6) Example 6. A 47-year-old female diagnosed with fibromyalgia used a composition containing rhodochrosite in the bath and a gel composition containing rhodochrosite daily. At approximately the two-week mark, and in addition to continued use of the rhodochrosite compositions, this individual began taking a daily collagen peptide supplement. While undergoing this regimen, the individual reported a reduction in pain within two weeks, and an overall increase in energy level.

(7) Example 7. A 66-year-old female diagnosed with Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) used a gel composition containing rhodochrosite on her legs whenever she experienced RLS-related symptoms. This individual reported an immediate cease in symptoms upon application of the gel.

(8) Example 8. A 57-year-old female diagnosed with rosacea used a gel composition containing rhodochrosite daily on her face. After two days of using the gel, this individual reported that all of her facial rosacea symptoms were cleared.

(9) Example 9. A 47-year-old female diagnosed with hypertension used a gel composition containing rhodochrosite on her entire body four to five days a week. This individual reported a noticeable improvement in hypertension.

(10) Example 10. A 70-year-old female diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the hands rubbed a composition containing rhodochrosite powder directly onto her finger joints twice a day. Within three weeks, this individual reported a decrease in joint pain, a reduction in knuckle size, and a noticeable straightening in an afflicted finger.

(11) Example 11. A 66-year-old male had been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease for six years when he began using a gel composition containing rhodochrosite daily on his entire body. He previously reported lost balance and greatly reduced mobility. However, after three weeks of using the gel, he reported improved energy levels and restoration of balance. Within five weeks, he reported that the redness in his legs had reduced and that his legs began growing hair. This individual has reported further improvements over the course of two years, including resuming exercise (approximately 90 minutes of activity) and teaching college courses.

V. EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

(12) The following are non-limiting examples of specific embodiments of the subject matter disclosed above. This disclosure specifically but non-exclusively supports claims to these embodiments:

(13) Embodiment 1. A method of supplementing collagen synthesis in a subject, the method comprising: administering a composition containing a manganese mineral topically or by inhalation to the subject while the subject is undergoing collagen therapy in an amount effective to increase the synthesis of collagen in the subject.

(14) Embodiment 2. A method of supplementing the activity of manganese superoxide dismutase in a subject, the method comprising: administering a composition containing a manganese mineral topically or by inhalation to the subject.

(15) Embodiment 3. A method of supplementing the activity of prolidase in a subject, the method comprising: administering a composition containing a manganese mineral topically or by inhalation to the subject.

(16) Embodiment 4. A method of treating or preventing a condition associated with low prolidase activity in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising: administering a manganese mineral topically or by inhalation to the subject in an amount effective to treat or prevent the condition associated with low prolidase activity.

(17) Embodiment 5. A method of treating or preventing a condition associated with low manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising: administering a manganese mineral topically or by inhalation to the subject in an amount effective to treat or prevent the condition associated with low MnSOD activity.

(18) Embodiment 6. The method of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the manganese mineral contains MnCO.sub.3.

(19) Embodiment 7. The method of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the manganese mineral is rhodochrosite.

(20) Embodiment 8. The method of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the manganese mineral is in the form of a powder.

(21) Embodiment 9. The method of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the manganese mineral is in the form of a powder, and wherein at least 50% of the powder is less than about 150 μm in particle size.

(22) Embodiment 10. The method of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the manganese mineral is in the form of a powder, and wherein at least 50% of the powder is from 75-150 μm in particle size.

(23) Embodiment 11. The method of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the manganese mineral is insoluble in water.

(24) Embodiment 12. The method of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the collagen therapy is orally administered.

(25) Embodiment 13. The method of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the collagen therapy is administered as hydrolyzed collagen.

(26) Embodiment 14. The method of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the composition is a dry powdered preparation of the manganese mineral.

(27) Embodiment 15. The method of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the composition is a suspension of the manganese mineral in a fluid carrier.

(28) Embodiment 16. The method of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the composition is a suspension of the manganese mineral in water, administered by immersion of the subject in the composition.

(29) Embodiment 17. The method of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the composition is a suspension of the manganese mineral in water, administered in at least one of: a bath, a spa tub, a garden tub, a hot tub, a swimming pool, a hydrotherapy tank, a hydrotherapy bath, and a hydrotherapy pool.

(30) Embodiment 18. The method of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the composition is administered in the form of one or more of: a gel, a lotion, an oil, viscus water, and a hydrosol.

(31) Embodiment 19. The method of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the composition is administered in the form of an aerosol comprising a liquid carrier and the manganese mineral.

(32) Embodiment 20. The method of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the subject is suffering from a health or cosmetic condition symptomatic of at least one of: low collagen synthesis, low prolidase activity, and low manganese superoxide dismutase activity.

(33) Embodiment 21. The method of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the subject is suffering from one or more of: facial wrinkles, hair loss, eyelash thinning, slow nail growth, elastosis, joint pain, fatigue, Raynaud's syndrome, fibromyalgia, restless leg syndrome, Parkinson's disease, rosacea, lupus, hypertension, and osteoarthritis.

(34) Embodiment 22. The method of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the subject is human.

(35) Embodiment 23. The method of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the subject is canine.

VI. CONCLUSIONS

(36) It is to be understood that any given elements of the disclosed embodiments of the invention may be embodied in a single structure, a single step, a single substance, or the like. Similarly, a given element of the disclosed embodiment may be embodied in multiple structures, steps, substances, or the like.

(37) The foregoing description illustrates and describes certain processes and compositions of matter, some of which embody the invention(s). Such descriptions or illustrations are not intended to limit the scope of what can be claimed, and are provided as aids in understanding the claims, enabling the making and use of what is claimed, and teaching the best mode of use of the invention(s). If this description and accompanying drawings are interpreted to disclose only a certain embodiment or embodiments, it shall not be construed to limit what can be claimed to that embodiment or embodiments. Any examples or embodiments of the invention described herein are not intended to indicate that what is claimed must be coextensive with such examples or embodiments. Where it is stated that the invention(s) or embodiments thereof achieve one or more objectives, it is not intended to limit what can be claimed to versions capable of achieving all such objectives. Any statements in this description criticizing the prior art are not intended to limit what is claimed to exclude any aspects of the prior art.

(38) Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes certain embodiments of the processes, compositions of matter, and other teachings disclosed, but it is to be understood that the teachings of the present disclosure are capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the teachings as expressed herein.

(39) Any section headings herein are provided only for consistency with the suggestions of 37 C.F.R. § 1.77 or otherwise to provide organizational queues. These headings shall not limit or characterize the invention(s) set forth herein.