(-)-Hydroxycitrate (HCA) supplementation constitutes a novel means of reducing the loss in bone mineral content such as that usually found in osteoporosis and the related loss in bone quality (protection against the corticoid-induced loss in non-mineral bone components). Similarly, HCA supplementation constitutes a novel means of reducing stress-induced bone loss and of reducing other forms of bone loss induced by glucocorticoid-related mechanisms. The discovery that HCA has bone loss-moderating effects allows for the creation of novel and more efficacious approaches to preventing osteoporosis and for maintaining normal bone metabolic functioning even in the face of diet and exercise habits which are less than ideal and in the face of chronic stress. Furthermore, this discovery makes possible the development of adjuvant modalities which can be used to improve the results realized through the employment of conventional anti-osteoporosis/bone protective remedies. Controlled release can be used to provide a sustained and modulated amount of the active to the body as desired and therefore to regulate the use of the compound.
A method for preventing and or reducing the symptoms of insulin resistance and a related syndrome in persons comprises identifying persons having or at risk for having such symptoms, and administering to them an effective amount of a composition comprising niacin-bound chromium that prevents or reduces the symptoms. Compositions incorporating niacin-bound chromium and additional compounds also are disclosed that are particularly effective in synergistically preventing or reducing these symptoms.
Methods for promoting healthy body weight and improving a variety of related physiological factors, including serum serotonin levels, serum leptin levels, fat oxidation, cholesterol levels, and body mass index, in persons or other mammals, include administering to those persons or other mammals effective amounts of hydroxycitric acid or a combination of hydroxycitric acid, chromium and gymnemic acid, which work synergistically to further to promote healthy body weight and improve these physiological factors.
