Abstract:
A method of reducing body weight, the method by orally administering a fluid ingestible composition at regular intervals, the fluid ingestible composition having water, about 0.5 g to about 3.0 g of a soluble anionic fiber and participating in an exercise program.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This case is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.______, entitled “COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING FOOD INTAKE AND CONTROLLING WEIGHT” (docket number MSP5038); U.S. patent application Ser. No.______, entitled “METHODS FOR REDUCING CALORIE INTAKE” (docket number MSP5039), U.S. patent application Ser. No.______, entitled “COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR INDUCING SATIETY AND REDUCING CALORIC INTAKE” (docket number MSP5040); U.S. patent application Ser. No.______, entitled “METHODS FOR ACHIEVING AND MAINTAINING WEIGHT LOSS” (docket number MSP5041); U.S. patent application Ser. No.______, entitled “COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING FOOD INTAKE AND CONTROLLING WEIGHT” (docket number MSP5043); U.S. patent application Ser. No.______, entitled “COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING FOOD INTAKE AND CONTROLLING WEIGHT” (docket number MSP5044); U.S. patent application Ser. No.______, entitled “METHODS FOR WEIGHT MANAGEMENT” (docket number MSP5045); U.S. patent application Ser. No.______, entitled “METHODS FOR INDUCING SATIETY, REDUCING FOOD INTAKE AND REDUCING WEIGHT” (docket number MSP5046); U.S. patent application Ser. No.______, entitled “COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING FOOD INTAKE AND CONTROLLING WEIGHT” (docket number MSP5047); U.S. patent application Ser. No.______, entitled “FIBER SATIETY COMPOSITIONS” (docket number 10790-056001); and U.S. patent application Ser. No.______, entitled “FIBER SATIETY COMPOSITIONS” (docket number 10790-056002), each filed concurrently herewith on Oct. 7, 2005. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention is directed to methods for reducing weight using a liquid ingestible composition that includes at least one anionic soluble fiber in the presence of at least one multivalent cation coupled with an exercise program.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Diabetes and obesity are common ailments in the United States and other Western cultures. A study by researchers at RTI International and the Centers for Disease Control estimated that U.S. obesity-attributable medical expenditures reached $75 billion in 2003. Obesity has been shown to promote many chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, several types of cancer, and gallbladder disease.  
         [0004]     Adequate dietary intake of soluble fiber has been associated with a number of health benefits, including decreased blood cholesterol levels, improved glycemic control, and the induction of satiety and satiation in individuals. Consumers have been resistant to increasing soluble fiber amounts in their diet, however, often due to the negative organoleptic characteristics, such as, sliminess, excessive viscosity, and poor flavor, that are associated with food products that include soluble fiber.  
         [0005]     During exerciseing, humans may sweat profusely, requiring replacement of body fluids and electrolytes. Rehydration solutions and beverages, such as, GATORADE® brand sports drink, are popular with athletes. However, such rehydration solutions add calories and carbohydrates. A person on a weight loss program may not wish to add additional calories and carbohydrates that many rehydration solutions provide for fear of not losing weight as a result.  
         [0006]     What is needed is a liquid composition that can replace fluids lost during exercise and helps reduce weight.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention solves this problem. An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method of reducing body weight, the method comprising, consisting of, and/or consisting essentially of a) orally administering a fluid ingestible composition at regular intervals, the fluid ingestible composition comprising, consisting of, and/or consisting essentially of water, about 0.5 g to about 3.0 g of a soluble anionic fiber and b) participating in an exercise program. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is a graph depicting the results of weight loss over a six week period. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     As used herein, unless indicated otherwise, the terms “alginate,” “pectin,” “carrageenan,” “polygeenan,” or “gellan” refers to all forms (e.g., iprotonated or salt forms, such as sodium, potassium, and ammonium salt forms and having varying average molecular weight ranges) of the anionic soluble fiber type.  
         [0010]     As used herein, unless indicated otherwise, the term “alginic acid” includes not only the material in protonated form but also the related salts of alginate, including but not limited to sodium, potassium, and ammonium alginate.  
         [0011]     Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.  
         [0012]     As used herein, a recitation of a range of values is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.  
         [0013]     The compositions of this invention reduce food intake and provide hydration. The inventors believe that this arises from the enhanced viscosity produced by the interactions of soluble multivalent cations and a soluble anionic fiber. Soluble anionic fiber.  
         [0014]     Any soluble anionic fiber should be acceptable for the purposes of this invention. Suitable soluble anionic fibers include algniate, pectin, gellan, soluble fibers that contain carboxylate substituents, carrageenan, polygeenan, and marine algae-derived polymers that contain sulfate substituents.  
         [0015]     Also included within the scope of soluble anionic fibers are other plant derived and synthetic or semisynthetic polymers that contain sufficient carboxylate, sulfate, or other anionic moieties to undergo gelling in the presence of sufficient levels of cation.  
         [0016]     At least one source of soluble anionic fiber may be used in these compositions, and the at least one source of soluble anionic fiber may be combined with at least one source of soluble fiber that is uncharged at neutral pH. Thus, in certain cases, two or more anionic soluble fibers types are included, such as, alginate and pectin, alginate and gellan, or pectin and gellan. In other cases, only one type of anionic soluble fiber is used, such as only alginate, only pectin, only carrageenan, or only gellan.  
         [0017]     Anionic soluble fibers are commercially available, e.g., from ISP (Wayne, N.J.), TIC Gums, and CP Kelco.  
         [0018]     An alginate can be a high guluronic acid alginate. For example, in certain cases, an alginate can exhibit a higher than 1:1 ratio of guluronic to mannuronic acids, such as in the range from about 1.2:1 to about 1.8:1, e.g., about 1.3:1, about 1.4:1, about 1.5:1, about 1.6:1, or about 1.7:1 or any value therebetween. Examples of high guluronic alginates (e.g., having a higher than 1:1 g:m ratios) include Manugel LBA, Manugel GHB, and Manugel DBP, which each have a g:m ratio of about 1.5.  
         [0019]     While not being bound by theory, it is believed that high guluronic alginates can cross-link through cations, e.g., calcium ions, to form gels at the low pH regimes in the stomach. High guluronic alginates are also believed to electrostatically associate with pectins and/or gellans at low pHs, leading to gellation. In such cases, it may be useful to delay the introduction of cations until after formation of the mixed alginate/pectin or alginate/gellan gel, as cationic cross-links may stabilize the mixed gel after formation.  
         [0020]     In other cases, an alginate can exhibit a ratio of guluronic to mannuronic acids (g:m ratio) of less than 1:1, e.g., 0.8:1 to about 0.4:1, such as about 0.5:1, about 0.6:1, or about 0.7:1 or any value therebetween. Keltone LV and Keltone HV are examples of high-mannuronic acids (e.g., having a g:m ratio of less than 1:1) having g:m ratios ranging from about 0.6:1 to about 0.7:1.  
         [0021]     Methods for measuring the ratio of guluronic acids to mannuronic acids are known by those having ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0022]     An alginate can exhibit any number average molecular weight range, such as a high molecular weight range (about 2.05×10 5  to about 3×10 5  Daltons or any value therebetween; examples include Manugel DPB, Keltone HV, and TIC 900 Alginate); a medium molecular weight range (about 1.38×10 5  to about 2×10 5  Daltons or any value therebetween; examples include Manugel GHB); or a low molecular weight range (2×10 4  to about 1.35×10 5  Daltons or any value therebetween; examples include Manugel LBA and Manugel LBB). Number average molecular weights can be determined by those having ordinary skill in the art, e.g., using size exclusion chromatography (SEC) combined with refractive index (RI) and multi-angle laser light scattering (MALLS).  
         [0023]     In certain embodiments, a low molecular weight alginate can be used (e.g., Manugel LBA), while in other cases a mixture of low molecular weight (e.g., Manugel LBA) and high molecular weight (e.g., Manugel DPB, Keltone HV) alginates can be used. In other cases, a mixture of low molecular weight (e.g., Manugel LBA) and medium molecular weight (e.g., Manugel GHB) alginates can be used. In yet other cases, one or more high molecular weight alginates can be used (e.g., Keltone HV, Manugel DPB).  
         [0024]     A pectin can be a high-methoxy pectin (e.g., having greater than 50% esterified carboxylates), such as ISP HM70LV and CP Kelco USPL200. A pectin can exhibit any number average molecular weight range, including a low molecular weight range (about 1×10 5  to about 1.20×10 5  Daltons, e.g., CP Kelco USPL200), medium molecular weight range (about 1.25×10 5  to about 1.45×10 5 , e.g., ISP HM70LV), or high molecular weight range (about 1.50×10 5  to about 1.80×10 5 , e.g., TIC HM Pectin). In certain cases, a high-methoxy pectin can be obtained from pulp, e.g., as a by-product of orange juice processing.  
         [0025]     A gellan anionic soluble fiber can also be used. Gellan fibers form strong gels at lower concentrations than alginates and/or pectins, and can cross-link with mono- and multivalent cations. For example, gellan can form gels with sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Gellans for use in the invention include Kelcogel, available commercially from CP Kelco.  
         [0026]     Fiber blends as described herein can also be used in the preparation of a solid ingestible composition like an extruded food product where the fiber blend is a source of the soluble anionic fiber. A useful fiber blend can include an alginate soluble anionic fiber and a pectin soluble anionic fiber. A ratio of total alginate to total pectin in a blend can be from about 8:1 to about 5: 1, or any value therebetween, such as about 7:1, about 6.5:1, about 6.2:1, or about 6.15:1. A ratio of a medium molecular weight alginate to a low molecular weight alginate can range from about 0.65:1 to about 2: 1, or any value therebetween.  
         [0027]     An alginate soluble anionic fiber in a blend can be a mixture of two or more alginate forms, e.g., a medium and low molecular weight alginate. In certain cases, a ratio of a medium molecular weight alginate to a low molecular weight alginate is about 0.8:1 to about 0.9:1.  
         [0028]     The at least one anionic soluble fiber may be treated before, during, or after incorporation into an ingestible composition. For example, the at least one anionic soluble fiber can be processed, e.g., extruded, roll-dried, freeze-dried, dry blended, roll-blended, agglomerated, coated, or spray-dried.  
         [0029]     The amount of the at least one anionic soluble fiber included can vary, and will depend on the type of ingestible composition and the type of anionic soluble fiber used. For example, typically a solid ingestible composition will include from about 0.5 g to about 10 g total soluble anionic fiber per serving or any value therebetween. A preferred range of fiber intake in the compositions of this invention is about 0.25 g to 5 g per serving, more preferably about 0.5 to 3 g per serving, and most preferably about 1.0 to 2.0 g per serving. In certain cases, an extruded food product can include an anionic soluble fiber at a total amount from about 22% to about 40% by weight of the extruded product or any value therebetween. In other cases, an extruded food product can include an anionic soluble fiber in a total amount of from about 4% to about 15% or any value therebetween, such as when only gellan is used. In yet other cases, an extruded food product can include an anionic soluble fiber at a total amount of from about 18% to about 25% by weight, for example, when combinations of gellan and alginate or gellan and pectin are used.  
         [0030]     Additional ingredients can be hydrophilic in nature, such as starch, protein, maltodextrin, and inulin. Other additional ingredients can be insoluble in water (e.g., cocoa solids, corn fiber) and/or fat soluble (vegetable oil), or can be flavor modifiers such as sucralose.  
         [0031]     An ingestible composition can also include a protein source. A protein source can be included in the composition or in an extruded food product. For example, a food product can include a protein source at about 2% to about 20% by weight, such as about 3% to about 8%, about 3% to about 5%, about 4% to about 7%, about 4% to about 6%, about 5% to about 7%, about 5% to about 15%, about 10% to about 18%, about 15% to about 20%, or about 8% to about 18% by weight. A protein can be any known to those having ordinary skill in the art, e.g., rice, milk, egg, wheat, whey, soy, gluten, or soy flour. In some cases, a protein source can be a concentrate or isolate form.  
         [0000]     Cation  
         [0032]     The compositions and associated methods of this invention include a source of at least one cation in an amount sufficient to cause an increase in viscosity of the anionic soluble fiber. A source of at least one cation may be incorporated into an ingestible composition provided herein, or can consumed as a separate food article either before, after, or simultaneously with an ingestible composition.  
         [0033]     A cation can be a monovalent or multivalent (or polyvalent) cation, e.g., divalent, trivalent and the like. Cations useful in this invention include potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, aluminum, manganese, iron, nickel, copper, zinc, strontium, barium, bismuth, chromium, vanadium, and lanthanum, their salts and mixtures thereof. Salts of the cations may be organic acid salts that include formate, fumarate, acetate, propionate, butyrate, caprylate, valerate, lactate, citrate, malate and gluconate. Also included are highly soluble inorganic salts such as chlorides or other halide salts.  
         [0034]     In certain compositions, one or more particular cations may be used with certain anionic soluble fibers, depending on the composition and gel strength desired. For example, for ingestible alginate compositions, calcium may be used to promote gellation. For gellan compositions, one or more of calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium may be used.  
         [0035]     The at least one cation can be unable to, or be limited in its ability to, react with the at least one anionic soluble fiber in the ingestible composition until during or after ingestion. For example, physical separation of the at least one cation from the at least one anionic soluble fiber, e.g., as a separate food article or in a separate matrix of the ingestible composition from the at least one anionic soluble fiber, can be used to limit at least one cation&#39;s ability to react. In other cases, the at least one cation is limited in its ability to react with the at least one anionic soluble fiber by protecting the source of at least one cation until during or after ingestion. Thus, the at least one cation, such as, a protected cation, can be included in the ingestible composition or can be included as a separate food article composition, e.g., for separate ingestion either before, during, or after ingestion of an ingestible composition.  
         [0036]     Typically, a separate food article containing the source of at least one cation would be consumed in an about four hour time window flanking the ingestion of an ingestible composition containing the at least one anionic soluble fiber. In certain cases, the window may be about three hours, or about two hours, or about one hour. In other cases, the separate food article may be consumed immediately before or immediately after ingestion of an ingestible composition, e.g., within about fifteen minutes, such as within about 10 mins., about 5 mins., or about 2 mins. In other cases, a separate food article containing at least one cation can be ingested simultaneously with an ingestible composition containing the at least one soluble anionic fiber, e.g., a snack chip composition where some chips include at least one cation and some chips include the at least one soluble anionic fiber.  
         [0037]     In one embodiment, at least one cation can be included in an ingestible composition in a different food matrix from a matrix containing an anionic soluble fiber. For example, a source of at least one cation, such as a calcium salt, can be included in a separate matrix of a solid ingestible composition from the matrix containing the at least one soluble anionic fibers. Thus, means for physical separation of an anionic soluble fiber (e.g., within a snack bar or other extruded food product) from a source of at least one cation are also contemplated, such as by including the source of at least one cation in a matrix such as a frosting, coating, drizzle, chip, chunk, swirl, or interior layer. In one embodiment, a source of at least one cation, such as a protected cation source, can be included in a snack bar matrix that also contains an extruded crispy matrix that contains the anionic soluble fiber. In such a case, the source of at least one cation is in a separate matrix than the extruded crispy matrix containing the anionic soluble fiber. In another embodiment, a source of at least one cation can be included in a gel layer, e.g., a jelly or jam layer.  
         [0038]     One cation source is cation salts. Typically, a cation salt can be selected from the following salts: citrate, tartrate, malate, formate, lactate, gluconate, phosphate, carbonate, sulfate, chloride, acetate, propionate, butyrate, caprylate, valerate, fumarate, adipate, and succinate. In certain cases, a cation salt is a calcium salt. A calcium salt can have a solubility of &gt;1% w/vol in water at pH 7 at 20° C. A calcium salt can be, without limitation, calcium citrate, calcium tartrate, calcium malate, calcium lactate, calcium gluconate, calcium citrate malate, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, anhydrous calcium diphosphate, dicalcium phosphate anhydrous, tricalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate dihydrate, calcium sulfate anhydrous, calcium chloride, calcium acetate monohydrate, monocalcium phosphate monohydrate, and monocalcium phosphate anhydrous.  
         [0039]     The source of at least one cation can be a protected source. As used herein, the term “protected” means that the source has been treated in such a way, as illustrated below, to delay (e.g., until during or after ingestion or until a certain pH range has been reached) reaction of the at least one cation with the anionic soluble fiber as compared to an unprotected cation.  
         [0040]     A number of methods can be used to protect a source of at least one cation. For example, microparticles or nanoparticles having double or multiple emulsions, such as water/oil/water (“w/o/w”) or oil/water/oil (“o/w/o”) emulsions, of at least one cation and an anionic soluble fiber can be used. In one embodiment, a calcium alginate microparticle or nanoparticle is used. For example, a calcium chloride solution can be emulsified in oil, which emulsion can then be dispersed in a continuous water phase containing the anionic alginate soluble fiber. When the emulsion breaks in the stomach, the calcium can react with the alginate to form a gel.  
         [0041]     A microparticle can have a size from about 1 to about 15 μM (e.g., about 5 to about 10 μM, or about 3 to about 8 μM). A nanoparticle can have a size of about 11 to about 85 nm (e.g., about 15 to about 50 nm, about 30 to about 80 nm, or about 50 to about 75 nm). The preparation of multiple or double emulsions, including the choice of surfactants and lipids, is known to those having ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0042]     In another embodiment, nanoparticles of calcium alginate are formed by preparing nanodroplet w/o microemulsions of CaCl 2  in a solvent and nanodroplet w/o microemulsions of alginate in the same solvent. When the two microemulsions are mixed, nanoparticles of calcium alginate are formed. The particles can be collected and dispersed, e.g., in a liquid ingestible composition. As the particle size is small (&lt;100 nm), the particles stay dispersed (e.g., by Brownian motion), or can be stabilized with a food grade surfactant. Upon ingestion, the particles aggregate and gel.  
         [0043]     In other embodiments, a liposome containing a source of at least one cation can be included in an ingestible composition. For example, a calcium-containing liposome can be used. The preparation of liposomes containing cations is well known to those having ordinary skill in the art; see ACS Symposium Series, 1998 709:203-211; Chem. Mater. 1998 (109-116). Cochelates can also be used, e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,592,894 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,153, 217. The creation of coche;ates using cations such as calcium can protect the cations from reacting with the anionic soluble fiber within the aqueous phase of an ingestible composition, e.g., by wrapping the cations in a hydrophobic lipid layer, thus delaying reaction with the fiber until digestion of the protective lipids in the stomach and/or small intestine via the action of lipases.  
         [0044]     In certain cases, a cation-containing carbohydrate glass can be used, such as a calcium containing carbohydrate glass. A carbohydrate glass can be formed from any carbohydrate such as, without limitation, sucrose, trehalose, inulin, maltodextrin, corn syrup, fructose, dextrose, and other mono-, di-, or oligo-saccharides using methods known to those having ordinary skill in the art; see, e.g., WO 02/05667. A carbohydrate glass can be used, e.g., in a coating or within a food matrix.  
         [0000]     Ingestible Compositions  
         [0045]     Compositions of the present invention can be in any form, liquid or solid. Fluids can be beverages, including shake, liquado, and smoothie. Fluids can be from low to high viscosity.  
         [0046]     Solid forms can extruded or not. Solid forms include bread, cracker, bar, cookie, confectioneries, e.g., nougats, toffees, caramels, hard candy enrobed soft core, muffins, cookies, brownies, cereals, chips, snack foods, bagels, chews, crispies, and nougats, pudding, jelly, and jam. Solids can have densities from low to high.  
         [0000]     Fluids  
         [0047]     Fluid ingestible compositions can be useful for, among other things, aiding in weight loss programs, e.g., as meal replacement beverages or diet drinks. Fluid ingestible compositions can provide from about 0.5 g to about 10 g of anionic soluble fiber per serving, or any value therebetween. For example, in certain cases, about 1 g, 2 g, 3 g, 4 g, 5 g, 6 g, 7 g, 8 g, or 9 g of at least one anionic soluble fiber are provided per serving.  
         [0048]     A fluid ingestible composition may include an alginate anionic soluble fiber and/or a pectin anionic soluble fiber. In certain cases, an alginate anionic soluble fiber and a pectin anionic soluble fiber are used. A fiber blend as described herein can be used to provide the alginate anionic soluble fiber and/or the pectin anionic soluble fiber. An alginate and pectin can be any type and in any form, as described previously. For example, an alginate can be a high, medium, or low molecular weight range alginate, and a pectin can be a high-methoxy pectin. Also as indicated previously, two or more alginate forms can be used, such as a high molecular weight and a low molecular weight alginate, or two high molecular weight alginates, or two low molecular weight alginates, or a low and a medium molecular weight alginate, etc. For example, Manugel GHB alginate and/or Manugel LBA alginate can be used. In other cases, Manugel DPB can be used. Genu Pectin, USPL200 (a high-methoxy pectin) can be used as a pectin. In certain cases, potassium salt forms of an anionic soluble fiber can be used, e.g., to reduce the sodium content of an ingestible composition.  
         [0049]     A fluid ingestible composition includes alginate and/or pectin in a total amount of about 0.3% to about 5% by weight, or any value therebetween, e.g., about 1.25% to about 1.9%; about 1.4% to about 1.8%; about 1.0% to about 2.2%, about 2.0% to about 4.0%, about 3.0%, about 4.0%, about 2.0%, about 1.5%, or about 1.5% to about 1.7%. Such percentages of total alginate and pectin can yield about 2 g to about 8 g of fiber per 8 oz. serving, e.g., about 3 g, about 4 g, about 5 g, about 6 g, or about 7 g fiber per 8 oz. serving. In other cases, about 4 g to about 8 g of fiber (e.g., about 5 g, about 6 g, or about 7 g) per 12 oz. serving can be targeted. In some embodiments, about 1.7% fiber by weight of a fluid ingestible composition is targeted.  
         [0050]     In some cases, a fluid ingestible composition includes only alginate as a soluble anionic fiber. In other cases, alginate and pectin are used. A ratio of alginate to pectin (e.g., total alginate to total pectin) in a liquid ingestible composition can range from about 8:1 to about 1:8, and any ratio therebetween (e.g., alginate:pectin can be in a ratio of about 1: 1, about 1.2:1, about 1.3:1, about 1.4:1, about 1.5:1, about 1.6:1, about 1.62:1, about 1.7:1, about 1.8:1, about 1.9:1, about 2:1, about 3:1, about 4:1, about 5:1, about 5.3:1, about 5.6:1, about 5.7:1, about 5.8:1, about 5.9:1, about 6:1, about 6.1:1, about 6.5:1, about 7:1, about 7.5:1, about 7.8:1, about 2:3, about 1:4, or about 0.88:1). In cases where alginate and pectin are in a ratio of about 0.5:1 to about 2:1, it is believed that pectin and alginate electrostatically associate with one another to gel in the absence of cations; thus, while not being bound by theory, it may be useful to delay the introduction of cations until after such gel formation. In other cases, where the ratio of alginate to pectin is in the range from about 3:1 to about 8: 1, it may be useful to include a cation source such as a calcium source (e.g., to crosslink the excess alginate) to aid gel formation in the stomach. In these cases, the inventors believe, while not being bound by any theory, that the lower amount of pectin protects the alginate from precipitating as algniate at the low pHs of the stomach environment, while the cation source cross-links and stabilizes the gels formed.  
         [0051]     A fluid ingestible composition can have a pH from about 3.9 to about 4.5, e.g., about 4.0 to about 4.3 or about 4.1 to about 4.2. At these pHs, it is believed that the liquid ingestible compositions are above the pKas of the alginate and pectin acidic subunits, minimizing precipitation, separation, and viscosity of the solutions. In some cases, malic, phosphoric, and citric acids can be used to acidify the compositions. In some cases, a fluid ingestible composition can have a pH of from about 5 to about 7.5. Such fluid ingestible compositions can use pH buffers known to those having ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0052]     Sweeteners for use in a fluid ingestible composition can vary according to the use of the composition. For beverages, low glycemic sweeteners may be preferred, including trehalose, isomaltulose, aspartame, saccharine, and sucralose. Sucralose can be used alone in certain formulations. The choice of sweetener will impact the overall caloric content of a fluid ingestible composition. In certain cases, a fluid ingestible compositions can be targeted to have 40 calories/12 oz serving.  
         [0053]     A fluid ingestible composition can demonstrate gel strengths of about 20 to about 250 grams force (e.g., about 60 to about 240, about 150 to about 240, about 20 to 30, about 20 to about 55, about 50 to 200; about 100 to 200; and about 175 to 240), as measured in a static gel strength assay (see Examples, below). Gel strengths can be measured in the presence and absence of a cation source, such as a calcium source.  
         [0054]     A fluid ingestible composition can exhibit a viscosity in the range of from about 15 to about 100 cPs, or any value therebetween, at a shear rate of about 10 −s , e.g., about 17 to about 24; about 20 to about 25; about 50 to 100, about 25 to 75, about 20 to 80, or about 15 to about 20 cPs. Viscosity can be measured by those skilled in the art, e.g., by measuring flow curves of solutions with increasing shear rate using a double gap concentric cyclinder fixture (e.g., with a Parr Physica Rheometer).  
         [0055]     A fluid ingestible composition can include a cation sequestrant, e.g., to prevent premature gellation of the anionic soluble fibers. A cation sequestrant can be selected from EDTA and its salts, EGTA and its salts, sodium citrate, sodium hexametaphosphate, sodium acid pyrophosphate, trisodium phosphate anhydrous, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, disodium phosphate, sodium carbonate, and potassium citrate. A cation sequestrant can be from about 0.001% to about 0.3% by weight of the ingestible composition. Thus, for example, EDTA can be used at about 0.0015% to about 0.002% by weight of the ingestible composition and sodium citrate at about 0.230% to about 0.260% (e.g., 0.250%) by weight of the ingestible composition.  
         [0056]     A fluid ingestible composition can include a juice or juice concentrate and optional flavorants and/or colorants. Juices for use include fruit juices such as apple, grape, raspberry, blueberry, cherry, pear, orange, melon, plum, lemon, lime, kiwi, passionfruit, blackberry, peach, mango, guava, pineapple, grapefruit, and others known to those skilled in the art. Vegetable juices for use include tomato, spinach, wheatgrass, cucumber, carrot, peppers, beet, and others known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0057]     The brix of the juice or juice concentrate can be in the range of from about 15 to about 85 degrees, such as about 25 to about 50 degrees, about 40 to about 50 degrees, about 15 to about 30 degrees, about 65 to about 75 degrees, or about 70 degrees. A liquid ingestible composition can have a final brix of about 2 to about 25 degrees, e.g., about 5, about 10, about 12, about 15, about 20, about 2.5, about 3, about 3.5, about 3.8, about 4, or about 4.5.  
         [0058]     Flavorants can be included depending on the desired final flavor, and include flavors such as kiwi, passionfruit, pineapple, coconut, lime, creamy shake, peach, pink grapefruit, peach grapefruit, pina colada, grape, banana, chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, apple, orange, lemon, cherry, berry, blueberry, blackberry, apple, strawberry, raspberry, melon(s), coffee, and others, available from David Michael, Givaudan, Duckworth, and other sources.  
         [0059]     Colorants can also be included depending on the final color to be achieved, in amounts quantum satis that can be determined by one having ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0060]     Rapid gelling occurs when soluble anionic fibers, such as algniate or pectin, are mixed with soluble calcium sources, particularly the calcium salts of organic acids such as lactic or citric acid. For beverage products, this reactivity prevents the administration of soluble anionic fiber and a highly soluble calcium source in the same beverage. In the present invention, this problem is overcome by administering the soluble anionic fiber and the soluble calcium source in different product components.  
         [0000]     Solids  
         [0061]     At least one multivalent cation can be present in a solid ingestible composition in any form or in any mixtures of forms. A form can be a processed, unprocessed, or both. Processed forms include extruded forms, spray-dried forms, roll-dried forms, or dry-blended forms. For example, a snack bar can include at least anionic soluble anionic fiber present as an extruded food product (e.g., a crispy), at least one anionic soluble fiber in an unextruded form (e.g., as part of the bar), or both.  
         [0062]     For solid forms, a variety of extruded shapes of food products can be prepared by methods known to those having ordinary skill in the art. For example, a single or double screw extruder can be used. Typically, a feeder meters in the raw ingredients to a barrel that includes the screw(s). The screw(s) conveys the raw material through the die that shapes the final product. Extrusion can take place under high temperatures and pressures or can be a non-cooking, forming process. Extruders are commercially available, e.g., from Buhler, Germany. Extrusion can be cold or hot extrusion.  
         [0063]     Other processing methods are known to those having skilled in the art.  
         [0064]     An extruded food product can be cold- or hot-extruded and can assume any type of extruded form, including without limitation, a bar, cookie, bagel, crispy, puff, curl, crunch, ball, flake, square, nugget, and snack chip. In some cases, an extruded food product is in bar form, such as a snack bar or granola bar. In some cases, an extruded food product is in cookie form. In other cases, an extruded food product is in a form such as a crispy, puff, flake, curl, ball, crunch, nugget, chip, square, chip, or nugget. Such extruded food products can be eaten as is, e.g., cookies, bars, chips, and crispies (as a breakfast cereal) or can be incorporated into a solid ingestible composition, e.g., crispies incorporated into snack bars.  
         [0065]     A cookie can include at least one soluble anionic fiber in an unprocessed form or in a processed (e.g., extruded) form. A snack chip can include at least one soluble anionic fiber in extruded form or in spray-dried form, or both, e.g., an extruded anionic soluble fiber-containing chip having at least one anionic soluble fiber spray-dried on the chip.  
         [0066]     A solid ingestible composition can include optional additions such as frostings, coatings, drizzles, chips, chunks, swirls, or layers. Such optional additions can include at least one cation, at least one anionic soluble fiber, or both.  
         [0067]     An ingestible composition or extruded food product can include one or more of the following: cocoa, including flavonols, and oils derived from animal or vegetable sources, e.g., soybean oil, canola oil, corn oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, etc. For example, an extruded food product can include cocoa or oils in an amount of about 3% to about 10% (e.g., about 3% to about 6%, about 4% to about 6%, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, or about 4% to about 8%) by weight of the extruded food product.  
         [0000]     Crispies  
         [0068]     The soluble anionic fiber can be provided in one beverage component and a multivalent cation is provided in a second beverage component. The first component and the second component are provided separately to the user in a bottle or cup, and the user consumes the two components concurrently or sequentially.  
         [0069]     The soluble anionic fiber may be delivered in a beverage component and a multivalent cation may be provided separately in a solid edible component. The fluid fiber component and the solid calcium-containing component are consumed concurrently or sequentially.  
         [0070]     The ingestible composition of the present invention can be provided in any package, such as enclosed in a wrapper or included in a container. An ingestible composition can be included in an article of manufacture. An article of manufacture that includes an ingestible composition described herein can include auxiliary items such as straws, napkins, labels, packaging, utensils, etc.  
         [0071]     An article of manufacture can include a source of at least one cation. For example, a source of at least one cation can be provided as a liquid, e.g., as a beverage to be consumed before, during, or after ingestion of the ingestible composition. In other cases, at least one cation can be provided in a solid or gel form. For example, a source of at least one cation can be provided in, e.g., a jelly, jam, dip, or pudding, to be eaten before, during, or after ingestion of the ingestible composition. Thus, in some embodiments, an article of manufacture that includes a cookie or bar solid ingestible composition can also include a dip comprising a source of at least one cation, e.g., into which to dip the cookie or bar solid ingestible composition.  
         [0072]     Also provided are articles of manufacture that include a liquid ingestible composition. For example, a liquid ingestible composition can be provided in a container. Supplementary items such as straws, packaging, labels, etc. can also be included. Alternatively, the soluble anionic fiber may be included in a beverage and the cation may be provided inside, outside or both of a straw or stirring stick. In some cases, at least one cation, as described below, can be included in an article of manufacture. For example, an article of manufacture can include a liquid ingestible composition in one container, and a source of cations in another container. Two or more containers may be attached to one another.  
         [0000]     Methods of Reducing Caloric Consumption  
         [0073]     An anionic soluble fiber (such as algniate and pectin) is administered concurrently with a cation source, such as, a water-soluble calcium salt, to reduce food intake. Continued use of these compositions by individuals in need of weight loss will result in a cumulative decrease in caloric consumption, which will result in weight loss or diminished weight gain. Although not wishing to be bound by theory, the inventors hypothesize that the multivalent calcium ions of the soluble calcium source cross link the carboxylate groups on the fiber molecules, resulting in the formation of highly viscous or gelled materials. This gelling effect increases the viscosity of the gastric and intestinal contents, slowing gastric emptying, and also slowing the rate of macro-nutrient, e.g., glucose, amino acids, fatty acids, and the like, absorption. These physiological effects prolong the period of nutrient absorption after a meal, and therefore prolong the period during which the individual experiences an absence of hunger. The increased viscosity of the gastrointestinal contents, as a result of the slowed nutrient absorption, also causes a distal shift in the location of nutrient absorption. This distal shift in absorption may trigger the so-called “ileal brake”, and the distal shift may also cause in increase in the production of satiety hormones such as GLP-1 and PYY.  
         [0074]     Provided herein are methods employing the ingestible compositions described herein. For example, a method of facilitating satiety and/or satiation in an animal is provided. The method can include administering an ingestible composition to an animal. An animal can be any animal, including a human, monkey, mouse, rat, snake, cat, dog, pig, cow, sheep, bird, or horse. Administration can include providing the ingestible combination either alone or in combination with other meal items. Administration can include co-administering, either before, after, or during administration of the. ingestible composition, a source of at least one cation, such as calcium or a sequestered source of calcium, as described herein. At least one cation can be administered within about a four hour time window flanking the administration of the ingestible composition. For example, a source of calcium, such as a solution of calcium lactate, can be administered to an animal immediately after the animal has ingested a liquid ingestible composition as provided herein. Satiety and/or satiation can be evaluated using consumer surveys (e.g., for humans) that can demonstrate a statistically significant measure of increased satiation and/or satiety. Alternatively, data from paired animal sets showing a statistically significant reduction in total caloric intake or food intake in the animals administered the ingestible compositions can be used as a measure of facilitating satiety and/or satiation.  
         [0075]     As indicated previously, the ingestible compositions provide herein can hydrate and gel in the stomach and/or small intestine, leading to increased viscosity in the stomach and/or small intestine after ingestion. Accordingly, provided herein are methods for increasing the viscosity of stomach and/or small intestine contents, which include administering an ingestible composition to an animal. An animal can be any animal, as described above, and administration can be as described previously. Viscosity of stomach contents can be measured by any method known to those having ordinary skill in the art, including endoscopic techniques, imaging techniques (e.g., MRI), or in vivo or ex vivo viscosity measurements in e.g., control and treated animals.  
         [0076]     An exercise program selected from the group consisted of running, walking, bicycling, aerobic machine workouts, swimming, team sports and racquet sports.  
         [0077]     Also provided are methods for promoting weight loss by administering an ingestible composition as provided herein to an animal. Administration can be as described previously. The amount and duration of such administration will depend on the individual&#39;s weight loss needs and health status, and can be evaluated by those having ordinary skill in the art. The animal&#39;s weight loss can be measured over time to determine if weight loss is occurring. Weight loss can be compared to a control animal not administered the ingestible composition.  
         [0078]     The following examples are representative of the invention, and are not intended to be limiting to the scope of the invention.  
       EXAMPLES  
     Example 1  
       [0000]     Study Design  
         [0079]     One hundred-sixty (160) subjects were randomized into a placebo group or one of three anionic soluble fiber level groups (1, 2.5, or 5 grams per dose, twice daily) for a total of 40 subjects in each group.  
         [0080]     Fiber-containing beverages were designed to deliver a fully hydrated acid forming fiber blend (60:40 sodium alginate ; pectin) at 1 gram, 2.5 grams or 5 grams per dose. Pectin (USP 1.200, CP Kelco), alginate (blend of Manugel LBA and GHB (85;15) provided by ISP. Each beverage contained 12 oz of fluid. The subjects could chose from two flavors, lime or peach-grapefruit to avoid flavor fatigue during the study. The beverages were identical other than the fiber level and were not matched to viscosity so as to prevent interference with the gel system from extraneous gums.  
         [0081]     The subjects consumed the beverage during a 6-week weight loss &amp; behavioral treatment program that included a moderate exercise program. Subjects were instructed to consume a fiber or placebo drink twice daily and to decrease their caloric intake by 1,000 Kcal per day. Based on their baseline step counts, subjects were further instructed to incrementally increase their physical activity level each week by 500 steps per day as part of the intervention. Subjects were given a pedometer to track their steps.  
         [0000]     Results  
         [0082]     All groups lost weight during the study. The amount of weight lost, summarized in Table 1, was generally in proportion to the amount of fiber taken.  FIG. 1  below plots the amount of weight lost in kg over time.  
                                           TABLE 1                           Results from Random Coefficients Model       Estimating Weight Change Over Time.                Weight Loss (kg)                    Per week   Per 5 weeks       Fiber Group   Mean   Mean               0 g   −0.42   −2.09       1 g   −0.51   −2.56       2.5 g     −0.52   −2.58       5 g   −0.58   −2.90