Calcium Formate for Use as a Dietary Supplement

Abstract

A calcium formate composition for oral administration to an individual for the purpose of supplementary dietary calcium is disclosed.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for increasing dietary calcium in an individual, comprising: orally ingesting a quantity of calcium formate sufficient to improve calcium balance or retention. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the quantity of calcium formate is present in an amount sufficient to provide between 10-60 milliequivalents of calcium. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the calcium formate is in tablet form. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the calcium formate is in gelatin capsule form. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the calcium formate is orally ingested in a first and second dose, wherein the first dose is before a mealtime and the second dose is after a mealtime. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the quantity is a dose of between 0.5 g and 3.0 g per day. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the quantity is administered once a day. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the calcium formate is combined in a dose with a second, biologically active compound. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the second compound is a vitamin D compound. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the vitamin D is cholecalciferol. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the cholecalciferol is in between 125 IU and 400 IU. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the quantity is between 1.0 g and 2.0 g per day. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the calcium formate is at least 0.47% calcium in the diet of the individual.