Product and method for oral administration of nutraceuticals
A delivery system for nutraceuticals uses a low caloric chocolate base for containing one or more nutraceuticals, either blended with the chocolate itself, or added as a liquid or crème filling. The chocolate has a relatively high level of oligomeric proanthocyanidins, and preferably further includes a phytosterol and DHA, as well as being sweetened with a sweetener blend containing tagatose and a secondary low caloric, high intensity sweetener, preferably Lo Han Guo extract. Using the inventive system, delivery of nutraceuticals in unit dosage form is facilitated, as the selected dose is carried within individual chocolate product pieces that taste substantially the same as conventional chocolate, though with few calories from carbohydrates, or effects on insulin response encountered with typical chocolate formulations.
1. A chocolate product formulated for delivering a nutraceutical combined therewith by oral administration comprising:
a chocolate formulation containing:
a chocolate base that is high in oligomeric proanthocyanadins;
adenosine monophosphate (AMP), present at between 0.002 and 0.010% by weight;
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA);
fat soluble nutrients; and,
a low caloric sweetener containing 75-90% wt Lo Han Guo extract and from 10-25% tagatose; and,
a nutraceutical incorporated with the chocolate formulation.
2. The chocolate product of claim 1 wherein the fat soluble nutrients are selected from the group consisting of carotenoids, lutein, lycopene, zeaxanthin, Astaxanthin, vitamin D3, vitamin K, vitamin E, phospholipids, Phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl inositol, Phosphatidyl ethanolamine, lipid appetite suppressants (stearoyl ethanolamide, oleyl ethanolamide), Phosphatidyl serine and combinations thereof.
3. The chocolate product of claim 1 further comprising Phosphatidyl serine.
4. The chocolate product of claim 1 further comprising soy lecithin.
5. The chocolate product of claim 1 wherein the AMP is present at between about 0.005-0.009% by weight.
6. The chocolate product of claim 1 further comprising a supplemental sweetener selected from the group consisting of sucralose, thaumatin, D-mannose and combinations thereof.
7. A filled chocolate product for delivering a nutraceutical by oral administration comprising:
a chocolate formulation containing:
a chocolate base that is high in oligomeric proanthocyanadins;
adenosine monophosphate (AMP), present at between 0.002 and 0.010% by weight;
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA);
fat soluble nutrients; and,
a low caloric sweetener containing 75-90% wt Lo Han Guo extract and from 10-25% tagatose, the chocolate formulation formed into a chocolate product formed for receiving a filling therein; and,
a liquid or creme filling, the nutraceutical incorporated in the filling which is received in the chocolate product for oral delivery therewith.
8. The chocolate product of claim 7 wherein the nutraceutical incorporated in the filling is selected from the group consisting of bioactive substances separated from plant sources which include terpenes, terpenoids, flavones and flavonoids, steroids, sterols, saponins and sapogenins, alkanes, alkaloids, amines, amino acids, aldehydes, alcohols, fatty acids, lipids, lignans, phenols, pyrones, butenolides, lactones, chalcones, ketones, benzenes, cyclohexanes, glucosides, glycosides, cyanidins, furans, phorbols, quinones and phloroglucinols, proteins, peptides, enzymes, polysacoharides and carbohydrates.
9. The chocolate product of claim 7 wherein the nutraceutical incorporated in the filling is a concentrate prepared from a plant selected from the group consisting of blueberry, cranberry, cherries, grapes, tomatoes, mushrooms, pomegranates, elderberries, strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, black raspberry, boysenberry, saw palmetto, and combinations thereof.
10. The chocolate product of claim 1 wherein the nutraceutical is a supplement selected from the group consisting of vitamins, minerals, herbs, plant extracts, concentrates of plants and combinations thereof.
11. The chocolate product of claim 1 wherein the nutraceutical is selected from the group consisting of Ginkgo biloba extract, Kava Kava extract, Ginseng extract, Saw Palmetto extract, berry extract, cherry extract, cranberry extract, blueberry extract, tomato extract (lycopene), glucosamine sulfate, chromium picolinate, Milk thistle extract, Hawthorn extract, Grape seed extract, Ma Huang extract, Co-enzyme Q010, water soluble vitamins, vitamin C, niacin, vitamin B1, vitamin B12, fat soluble vitamins, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, omega-3 fatty acids, minerals, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and combinations thereof.
12. A method for oral administration of a nutraceutical to a mammal comprising:
providing a chocolate formulation having a chocolate base that is high in oligomeric proanthocyanadins:
incorporating in the chocolate formulation adenosine monophosphate present at between 0.002 and 0.010% by weight, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), fat soluble nutrients, and a low caloric sweetener containing 75-90% wt Lo Han Guo extract and from 10-25% tagatose;
incorporating the nutraceutical with or in the chocolate formulation; and,
producing individual or separable chocolate products each containing a single or fractional dose of the nutraceutical.