Materials and methods of using calcium for reduction of inflammation

• US 20050233007A1
• Filed: 04/14/2005
• Published: 10/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Mills Incorporated
• Original Assignee: General Mills Incorporated
• Inventors: Gugger, Eric T., Good, Carolyn, Silva, Ellen M.
• Application Number:
  US11/105,953
• Publication Number:
  US 20050233007A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/682
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 33/16 Inorganic salts, minerals or trace elements
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2002/00 Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2200/326 having effect on cardiovascular health
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2200/328 having effect on glycaemic control and diabetes
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2200/332 Promoters of weight control and weight loss
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/1578 Calcium
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 33/06 Aluminium, calcium or magnesium; Compounds thereof , e.g. clay
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 29/00 Non-central analgesic, antipyretic or antiinflammatory agents, e.g. antirheumatic agents; Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs [NSAID]
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 3/04 Anorexiants; Antiobesity agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 3/10 for hyperglycaemia, e.g. antidiabetics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/10 for treating ischaemic or atherosclerotic diseases, e.g. antianginal drugs, coronary vasodilators, drugs for myocardial infarction, retinopathy, cerebrovascula insufficiency, renal arteriosclerosis

Abstract

Nutritional approaches for the control of inflammation can involve the administration of therapeutic amounts of calcium. The administration of appropriate amounts of calcium to an individual results in a reduction in inflammatory processes and markers associated with the inflammatory processes. The therapeutic amount of calcium can be selected to change a level of inflammation in the individual. The approach for reducing inflammation can comprise a step of measuring the C-reactive protein marker level and administering calcium in amounts selected to induce a change in the C-reactive protein level. The calcium can be incorporated into a product with corresponding instructions to induce a desired inflammation reduction.

Claims

1. A method of modifying a biological condition of a subject, comprising:

administering a therapeutic amount of calcium to the subject, wherein the therapeutic amount of calcium is selected to change a level of inflammation in the subject.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the level of inflammation in the subject is changed in a tissue or bodily fluid of the subject chosen from the group consisting of blood, plasma, serum, lymph, saliva, urine, liver, artery, adipose tissue and mixtures thereof.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

selecting the amount of calcium to reduce a level of an inflammation marker for the subject.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the inflammation marker is C-reactive protein, and the C-reactive protein level is reduced to less than about 10 mg/L of C-reactive protein in the subject.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the inflammation marker is at least one member of the group consisting of C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A, IL-1, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, fibrinogen, white blood cell count, vascular cell adhesion molecule (“

VCAM”

), intercellular adhesion molecule (“

ICAM”

), and selecting.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the administering of calcium comprises ingesting at least one calcium containing product chosen from the group consisting of dairy products, dairy protein isolates, dietary supplements, foodstuffs supplemented with calcium, foods high in calcium, and calcium fortified cereal.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein administering the calcium to the subject is effective to produce a decrease in adiposity of the subject.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein administering the calcium to the subject is effective to produce a decrease in trunkal adiposity of the subject.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the subject has a condition of insulin resistance.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject has a condition of being overweight, as indicated by a Body Mass Index of greater than 30.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject has an inflammatory condition and wherein the inflammatory condition is chosen from the group consisting of atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, arthritis, gum disease, infection, psoriasis, asthma, systemic lupus erythematosus, and combinations thereof.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the subject with an instruction for a weight loss protocol and wherein the instruction comprises a member of the group consisting of a writing, a book, an audiovisual presentation, a slide, a brochure, a web site, an audio presentation, a label, and an advertisement.

13. A method of reducing inflammation in a subject comprising:

measuring a C-reactive protein level in the subject; and

administering a calcium source to the subject to induce a change in the C-reactive protein level.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the subject has a condition of insulin resistance, obesity, or being overweight.

15. A kit for modifying a biological condition of a subject, comprising:

a source of calcium; and

an instruction for administering the source of calcium to the subject to change a level of inflammation in the subject.

16. The kit of claim 15, wherein the instruction further comprises a description of administering the source of calcium to the subject to reduce a level of the inflammation marker in the subject.

17. The kit of claim 15, wherein the inflammation marker is at least one member of the group consisting of C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A, IL-1, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, fibrinogen, white blood cell count, VCAM, ICAM, and selecting.

18. The kit of claim 15, wherein the source of calcium comprises at least one member of the group consisting of dairy products, dairy protein isolates, dietary supplements, foodstuffs supplemented with calcium, foods high in calcium, calcium fortified cereal, breakfast cereal, snack bars, cereal bars, fruit snacks, bread, dinner rolls, orange juice, meal replacement beverages and bars, salmon, sardines, beans, soymilk, tofu, spinach, turnip greens, kale, broccoli, waffles, pancakes, pizza, milk, yogurt, cheeses, cottage cheese, ice cream, frozen yogurt, nutrient supplements, calcium fortified vitamin supplements, and liquids supplemented with calcium.

19. The kit of claim 15, wherein the instruction further comprises a description of administration of the source of calcium to the subject to produce a decrease in adiposity of the subject.

20. The kit of claim 15, wherein the instruction further comprises a weight loss protocol.