CA2079573A1

CA2079573A1 - Method for increasing mineral bioavailability by ionization of phytic acid with a source of di- and/or trivalent ions

Info

Publication number: CA2079573A1
Application number: CA002079573A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Eric C. Anderson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-09-22
Filing date: 1992-09-30
Publication date: 1994-03-23

Abstract

METHOD FOR INCREASING MINERAL BIOAVAILABILITY
BY IONIZATION OF PHYTIC ACID
WITH A SOURCE OF DI- AND/OR TRIVALENT IONS

Abstract A method for increasing mineral bioavailability in a human or animal digestive system is provided. The method of the invention uses a source of divalent and/or trivalent ions, such as an ionized calcium or magnesium source, in the diet of humans or animals to neutralize phytic acid and prevent it from tying up additional minerals such as phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, etc. The use of an ionized calcium or magnesium source also releases phosphorus and inositol from phytic acid, enabling phosphorus and inositol to be available in the human or animal digestive system.

Description

J ~
Field o the I~ention The invention relates generally to methods for incr~asing mineral bioavailability. More particularly, the invention rPlates to use of a source of divalent and/or trivalent ions to release min~rals bound by phytic acid and phytates in human or animal digestive systems.

Minerals and other nutrients are involved in the most fundamental processes of life. The mineral nutrients include both principal elements and trace elements. The principal elements include sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, sulfur, and chlorine. Trace elements include copper, zinc, fluorine, iodine, iron, selenium, chromium, molybdenum, cobalt, and manganese. As with other biological substances, a state of dynamic equilibrium exists for the mineral nutrients, and mechanisms exist whereby biological systems can adjust to varying amounts of minerals in the diet.
However, if the mineral availabi].ity in a digestive system i~
too low, various disorders can occur in human and animal biological systems.
An analysis of foodstuffs shows the percentages of phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and other nutrients such as inositol contained in various foodstuffs. These values have been determined for the mineral elements based on well-known chemical and physical methods of analysis. Such values represent the total amount of each mineral present in the food and not the amount of minerals or other nutrients available to the body. Approximately 50~ of the minerals and over 90% of ~9~r.i~q~3 inositol are not available for digestion and are passed through the digeqtive tract.
The dietary constituents of fiber, phytic acid and oxalic acid ha~e been reported to be capable of binding minerals and thus can decrease mineral bioavailability. Phytic acid is a major phosphorus compound in plants and is particularly abundant in oil seeds, legumes, and cereal grains, ~nd is present in forages. Phytic acid is indigestible and will tis up additional elements such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron~ and zinc to form various salts such as phytates (e.g., sodium phytate) and phytin (calcium-magnesium salt). Since phosphorus occurs in bound form as phytic acid in some foods, especially in nuts, legumes, and outer layers of whole grain cere~ls, phosphorus is relatively unavailable to the digestive system.
Since a large amount of minerals and other nutrients are unavailable due to the presence of phyti.c acid and phytates in the digestive tract after ingestion of plant-based foodstuffs, a method for increasing the bioavailability of such mineral~ in humans or animals is neaded and i.mportant.

Summary of th~ ention The present invention is directed to a method for increasing mineraI bioavailability in human or animal digestive systems.
Th~ method comprises the steps of providing a source of divalent and/or trivalent ions such as magnesium or calcium ions, contacting and mixing the ion source with a foodstuff for human or animal consumption thereby forming an edible mixture, and ingesting the mixture. Once the foodstuff having the ion source is ingested, the ion source reacts with water in the digestive 7~3 system to form a hydroxide base such as magnesium or calcium hydroxide which in turn reacts with phytic acid or phytates in the digestive system to release inositol, phosphorus, and other minerals for use in ~he digestive system.
S The addition of a source of divalent or trivalent ions such as calcium and/or magnesium ions to the diet of humans or rations of animals neutrali~es the phytic acid in the digestive system, preventing phytic acid from tying up addi~ional minerals such as phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, e~c.
Preferably, the ion source is an ionized calcium and/or magnesium source such as ionized calcium oxide or ionized magnesium oxide. The ion source utilized in the present invention also causes phytic acid to release phosphorus and inositol which are then available to the human or animal digestive system.
One aspect of the invention is a novel method for increasing mi~eral bioavailability in human or animal digestive systems.
Further aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds. The features of novelty which characterize this invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this specification.
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Detailed Descri~tion of ths Inve~tion The present invention is based upon the discovery that mineral bioavaila~ility in a human or animal digestive system can be increased by employing a source of divalent and/or trivalent ions, such as a source of calcium ions and/or magnesium ions, in the diet of humans and animals. The ion .

source reacts with phytic acid and phytates in the di~estive tract, releasing the minerals bound by these compounds for use - in the digestive tract.
Phytic acid, also known as inositol hexaphosphoric acid 5 C6H606(H2PO3)6 is a major phosphorus compound in plants and is particularly abundant in oil seeds, legumes and cereal grains.
Phytic acid will form insoluble complexes with di-and trivalent cations to produce insoluble salt~, preventing use of the ions in a biological system. For example, by forming an insoluble calcium salt, phytic acid prevents utilization in a digestive system of calcium found in cereals. Phytic acid may occur as a phytate (salt) and interfere to an undetermined extent with the utilization of calcium, magnesium, iron, and other nutrients in a digestive system. Phytic acid i9 also known as a starting material in the manufacture of inositol.
Inositol, also known as hexahydroxycyclohexane C6H6(OH~6 or muscle su~ar, is widely distributed in plants and animals.
Inositol .is a growth factor for animals and microorganisms and thus is an important nutrient. Inositol is a sugar-like alcohol occurring in muscle tissue, brain tissue, red blood cells, and tissues of the eye, and is also found in the leaves and seeds of plants. It resembles the aliphatic polyhydric alcohols rhamnitol and sorbitol in many proper~ies. Inositol is essential for the growth of certain microorganisms and for the prevention of alopecia (i.e.l loss of hair) in mice and guinea pigs.
Inositol is obtained commercially from corn steep liquor, since inositol is present in phytic acid found in corn.
Inositol can be prepared from a plant extract consisting chiefly

2~ .3 of an impure calcium magnesium salt of phytic acid, known as phykin which can contain other compounds as well. As disclosed in Bartow, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 2,112,553, phytin is obtained by extrac~ing with dilute acid solutions such as dilute hydrochloric or sulfuric acid, various vegetable materials including seeds and grains such as corn, wheat, oatsl etc. The subsequent hydrolysis of phytin produces inositol.
Much of the phosphorus in cereals is present as phytin, which is poorly absorbed by the digestive tract. Phytin combines with dietary calcium in the intestine, rendering the calcium unavailable to the digestive system. Since phy~ic acid is present in forag~ and grains, inositol and phosphorus, as well as other minerals, can be reduced in availability for animal and human nutrition.
According to the present invention, a method for increàsing mineral bioavailability in human or animal digestive systems comprises providing a source of divalent and/or trivalent ions and contacting the ion source w:ith a foodstuff for human or animal consumption thereby forming an edible mixture. This foodstuff is then ingested by the human or animal which results in the ion source, such as ionized calcium oxide and/or ionized magnesium oxide, reacting with water in the digestive system to form a hydroxide base such as calcium hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide. These bases in turn react with phytic acid or phytates in the digestive system which are present when plant-based foodstuffs have been ingested, thereby releasing inositol, phosphorus and other minerals for use in the digestive system.
While not wishing to be bound by any theory, I believe that when the source of ions, such as ionized calcium oxide or ~'7~ J3 ionized magnesium oxide, come in contact with water in thè
digestive tract, a hydroxide base such as dilute calcium hydroxide or dilute magnesium hydroxide is produced. The hydroxid~ base reacts with phytic acid, splitting the acid units into inositol and phosphate in the form of calcium phosphate or magne~ium phosphate. By this reaction process in the digestive tract, phytic acid and phytates are prevented from tying up added calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, and other mineral nutrients. These minerals as well as the released inositol and phosphates are then available for digestion.
Phytic acid and phytates present in a digesLive tract can tie up to 50% of the available phosphate, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc or other minerals, and over 90% of inositol before the method of the present invention is employed. The present invention allows for the release of up to 100~ of the available mineral nutrients and inositol tied up by phytic acid and phytates.
In the present invention, the source of ions utilized is preferably a calcium ion source, a magnesium ion source, or a mixture providing a source of both calcium and magnesium ions.
Sources of calcium ions include calcium carbonate (limestone calcium), calcium oxide (lime), calcium hydroxide, calcium sulfate, calcium dihydrate, slaked lime, hydrated lime, etc.
; Sources of magnesium ions include magnesium oxide, magnesium carbonate~ magnesium chloride, magnesium dihydrate, magnesite, magnesium hydroxide~ etc.
Calcium oxide (lime) and magnesium oxide are preferred ion sources for use in the presen~ invention. Calcium oxide and magnesium oxide are GRAS products (generally recognized as safe~

~ 3 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Preferably, calcium oxide and magnesium oxide are used in the present invention in their ionized form. Calcium oxide and ma~nesium oxide can be ionized by heat, radiation, electrical or chemical reaction. Ionized calcium oxide and ionized magnesium oxide can b~ used separately or in various mixtures in the present invention. Another preferred source of ions for use in the present invention is limestone calcium (calcium carbonate) which has been ionized by a heat treatment process.
One preferred mixture for use in the method of the present invention includes about 5 to 25 wt-% of an ion source and about 75 to 95 wt-% of a foodstuff. A preferred ion source in the above mixture is ionized hydrated limel ionized magnesium dihydrate or a combination of both.
Another formula ratio of a mixture for feeding animals such aq ruminants to increase mineral bioavailability, specified in parts of the ingredients since ani.mals of different sizes should be given ratios of different weights of material, comprises about 10 to 50 grams of ionia:ed hydrated lime containing approximately three percent ionized hydrated magnesium oxide, and about 40 to 200 grams of sodium chloride. The above mixture is fed to each ruminant per day.
The foodstuff employed in the present invention can include any of a wide variety of edible food products suitable for human or animal consumption. Preferably, the foodstuff is selectPd from sodium chloride, or various plant-bas~d foodstuffs such as wheat bran, cracked barley, chopped alfalfa hay, or mixtures thereof.
In a preferred method, an isnized source of magnesium and/or calcium ions is mixed with a foodstuff for human or animal consumption in a ratio of about 20-1:1 foodstuff to ionized source for increasing mineral bioavailability in the human or animal digestive system. The ionized source of ions reacts with water in the digestive system when ingested to form a calcium and/or magnesium hydroxide which in turn reacts with phytic acid or phytates present in the diges~ive system, thereby releasing inositol, phosphorus and other minerals for use in the digestive system. While using a source of calcium and/or magnesium ions constitutes the preferred method of the invention, it is to be understood that other mineral-based di- and trivalent ions can be utilized in the present invention.
Further, no genetic or physiological defects have been noted by use of the method of the invention. The method of the invention is particularly use~ul for increasing bioavailability of minerals in animals such as ruminants, particularly cattle, who eat various combinations of grains, weeds, forage, and other plants.
The method of the present invention will be further described in the following examples.

Examples 1-2 The following mixtures of Examples 1 and 2 have been found to be satisfactory in providing increased mineral 25 -bioavailability in the digestive systems of animals, in particular cattle. The inqredients and relative amounts of ~he mixtures are listed in Table I below.

:

TABLE I
Mineral Mixtures Ingredients Ex. 1 Ex. 2 Monosodium Phosphate 23.00 46.00 Ionized Air Slaked Lime and 20.00 20.U0 Ionized Hydrated Maynesium Oxide in 4 to 1 ratio Wheat Bran 10.00 10.00 Molasses, dried 10.00 10.00 Salt (sodium chloride) 37.00 14.00 100.00 lbs. 100.00 lbs.

15The mineral mixtures of Examples 1 and 2 can be mixed by mixing the wheat bran, dried molasses and one-h~lf of the salt ; required together. Then the monosodium phosphate is added and mixed, after which the remaining salt, slaked lime and hydrated magnesium o~ide are added and thoroughly mixed.
20Forty grams of the mineral mix of Examples 1 or 2 may then be mixed and added with nine hundred grams of cracked barley or chopped alfalfa hay if the cattle are confined. If the cattle ; are on range, the mineral mixtures of Examples 1 and 2 are made available to them for using at will.

Example 3 - Another formula found to be satisfactory in increasing mineral bioavailability in the digestive systems of animals includes wheat bran for the purpose of keeping the mixture loose under moist conditions, organic iodine, phosphates, and is as follows:
50~ salt (sodium chloride), 20% monosodium phosphate, including 5% phosphorous, 20~ ionized hydrated lime including 8% ionized hydrated 7~
magnesium oxide, and 10~ wheat bran with or without 0.048% EDDI (organic) iodine.
A flavor such as about 0.5% of anise may be added.

Example 4 The following experiment was conducted to show the effects of ionized calcium and ionized magnesium in neutralizing phytic acid ingested by cattle. Eighty steers from the same herd were gate cut into two groups of forty head each. A coin toss was used to determine which group would receive ionized calcium and ionized magnesium. Group No. 1 had ionized calcium and ionized magnesium in their diet, while Group No. 2 had an equal amount of calcium oxide and magnesium oxide that were not ionized.
Both groups were fed the same number of alfalfa grass bales and pounds of mineral. The cattle in each group were also fed three pounds of rolled barley (two years old grain). Group No. l with forty steers had an average initial weight of 560O0 pounds per head. &roup No. 2 with forty steers had an average initial weight of 562.4 pounds per head.
After 208 days of feeding the cattle as indicated above, Group No. 1 averaged 1140 pouncls per head and Group No. 2 averaged 1090 pounds per head. Group No. 1 had an average daily gain of 2.78 pounds and Group No. 2 had an average daily gain of 2.55 pounds. The extra 0.23 pounds per day gain in Group No.
1 was due ~o extra availahility of phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc because of ingestion of the ionized calcium and ionized magnesium. When the cattle were soldl Group No. 1 brought 2.25 cents per pound more than Group No. 2 because of smooth and glistened hair coats in spite of the heavier 2~
weights of the cattle in Group No. 1. The cattle in Group No.
2 had rough hair coats. It is well known that the texture o hair coats indicate the health of the animal. The difference in hair coats was due to the availability of inositol released 5 from ~he phytic acid ingested by Group No. 1.
This experiment shows that ionized calcium and ionized magnesium do split the ingested phytic acid into inositol and phosphorus and that these components are then available to the animal. Since phytic acid also ties up approximately fifty percent of the calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc that feeds and forages contain, these minerals are also released in the digestive system by use of ionized calcium and ionized magnesium. When ionized calcium and ionized magnesium dissolve in water in the digestive tract, they become dilute calcium hydroxide and dilute magnesium hydroxide. These bases in turn split phytic acid into inositol and calcium phosphate or magnesium phosphate which are then available for use in the digestive system.
The foregoing discussion and exa~ples are illustrative of the invention. ~hile the method and mineral mixtures disclosed constitute a preferred method and product, it is also to be understood that they are capable of alteration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that the invention resides wholly in the claims hereinafter appended.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method for increasing mineral bioavailability in a human or animal digestive system, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a source of divalent and/or trivalent ions;
(b) contacting said source of ions with a foodstuff for human or animal consumption thereby forming an edible mixture; and (c) ingesting said mixture;
wherein said source of ions reacts with water in the digestive system when ingested to form a hydroxide base which in turn reacts with a phytic acid or a phytate present in the digestive system, thereby releasing inositol, phosphorus and other minerals for use in the digestive system.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said source of ions is a calcium ion source, a magnesium ion source, or a mixture thereof.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said source of ions is selected from the group consisting of calcium oxide, calcium carbonate, calcium hydroxide, calcium sulfate, calcium dihydrate, slaked lime, hydrated lime, magnesium oxide, magnesium carbonate, magnesium chloride, magnesium dihydrate magnesite, magnesium hydroxide, and mixtures thereof.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein said source of ions is selected from the group consisting of an ionized calcium oxide, an ionized magnesium oxide, an ionized calcium carbonate, and mixtures thereof.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said mixture comprises about 5 to 25 wt-% of said source of ions and about 75 to 95 wt-of said foodstuff.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said source of ions is selected from the group consisting of an ionized hydrated lime, an ionized magnesium dihydrate, and mixtures thereof.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said foodstuff is selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, wheat bran, cracked barley, chopped alfalfa hay, and mixtures thereof.

8. A method for increasing mineral bioavailability in a human or animal digestive system, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing an ionized source of calcium and/or magnesium ions;
(b) contacting said ionized source with a foodstuff for human or animal consumption in a ratio of about 20-1 :
1 foodstuff to ionized source thereby forming an edible mixture; and (c) ingesting said mixture;
wherein said ionized source of ions reacts with water in the digestive system when ingested to form a calcium hydroxide and/or a magnesium hydroxide which in turn reacts with a phytic acid or a phytate present in the digestive system, thereby releasing inositol, phosphorus and other minerals for use in the digestive system.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said ionized source of ions is selected from the group consisting of calcium oxide, calcium carbonate, calcium hydroxide, calcium sulfate, calcium dihydrate, slaked lime, hydrated lime, magnesium oxide, magnesium carbonate, magnesium chloride, magnesium dihydrate, magnesite, magnesium hydroxide, and mixtures thereof.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein said ionized source of ions is selected from the group consisting of an ionized calcium oxide, an ionized magnesium oxide, an ionized calcium carbonate, and mixtures thereof.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein said mixture comprises about 5 to 25 wt-% of said ionized source of ions and about 75 to 95 wt-% of said foodstuff.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said ionized source of ions is selected from the group consisting of an ionized hydrated lime, an ionized magnesium dihydrate, and mixtures thereof.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein said foodstuff is selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, wheat bran, cracked barley, chopped alfalfa hay, and mixtures thereof.

14. A method of increasing mineral bioavailability in a digestive system of a ruminant, comprising the steps of:
(a) mixing a mineral mixture of about 10 to 50 grams of ionized hydrated lime containing hydrated magnesium oxide, in a ratio of substantially four parts of lime to one part of magnesium oxide, with about 40 to 200 grams of sodium chloride; and (b) feeding said mixture to each ruminant per day;
wherein said mineral mixture reacts with water in the digestive system when ingested to form calcium hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide which in turn react with a phytic acid or a phytate in the digestive system, thereby releasing inositol, phosphorus and other minerals for use in the digestive system.

15. A method of increasing mineral bioavailability in a digestive system of a ruminant, comprising the steps of:
(a) mixing in ratios of 100 pounds to form an edible mineral mixture:
(i) about 20 pounds of an ion source comprising one part of ionized hydrated magnesium oxide to substantially four parts of ionized lime;
(ii) about 23 pounds of monosodium phosphate;
(iii) about 10 pounds of wheat bran;
(iv) about 10 pounds of dried molasses; and (v) about 37 pounds of salt; and (b) feeding said mineral mixture to the ruminant;
wherein said mineral mixture reacts with water in the digestive system when ingested to form calcium hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide which in turn react with a phytic acid or a phytate in the digestive system, thereby releasing inositol, phosphorus and other minerals for use in the digestive system.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the amount of said monosodium phosphate is increased to about 46 pounds and said salt is reduced to about 14 pounds.

17. An edible mixture for ingestion by a human or animal for increasing mineral bioavailability in the digestive system of said human or animal comprising a foodstuff and a source of divalent and/or trivalent ions whereby said source of ions is subject to reaction with water in the digestive system, when ingested, to form a hydroxide base which in turn reacts with a phytic acid or a phytate present in the digestive system to thereby cause a release of inositol, phosphorus and other minerals for use in the digestive system.

18. An edible mixture according to claim 17 wherein said source of ions is a calcium ion source, a magnesium ion source or a mixture thereof.

19. A mixture according to claim 18 wherein said source of ions is selected from the group consisting of calcium oxide, calcium carbonate, calcium hydroxide, calcium sulfate, calcium dihydrate, slaked lime, hydrated lima, magnesium oxide, magnesium carbonate, magnesium chloride, magnesium dihydrate, magnesite, magnesium hydroxide, and mixtures thereof.

20. A mixture according to claim 18 wherein said source of ions is selected from the group consisting of an ionized calcium oxide, an ionized magnesium oxide, an ionized calcium carbonate, and mixtures thereof.

21. An edible mixture according to claim 17 wherein said mixture comprises about 5 to 25 wt-% of said source of ions and about 75 to 95 wt-% of said foodstuff.

22. An edible mixture according to claim 21 wherein said source of ions is selected from the group consisting of an ionized hydrated lime, an ionized magnesium dihydrate, and mixtures thereof.

23. An edible mixture according to claim 17 wherein said foodstuff is selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, wheat bran, cracked barley, chopped alfalfa hay, and mixtures thereof.

24. An edible mixture for consumption by a human or animal for increasing mineral bioavailability in the digestive system of said human or animal, said mixture comprising a foodstuff and an ionized source of calcium and/or magnesium ions in a ratio of about 20-1 : 1 foodstuff to ionized source whereby said source of ions is subject to reaction with water in the digestive system, when ingested, to form a calcium hydroxide and/or a magnesium hydroxide which in turn reacts with a phytic acid or a phytate present in the digestive system, thereby releasing inositol, phosphorus and other minerals for use in the digestive system.

25. An edible mixture according to claim 24 wherein said ionized source of ions is selected from the group consisting of calcium oxide, calcium carbonate, calcium hydroxide, calcium sulfate, calcium dihydrate, slaked lime, hydrated lime, magnesium oxide, magnesium carbonate, magnesium chloride, magnesium dihydrate, magnesite, magnesium hydroxide, and mixtures thereof.

26. An edible mixture according to claim 24 wherein said ionized source of ions is selected from the group consisting of an ionized calcium oxide, an ionized magnesium oxide, an ionized calcium carbonate, and mixtures thereof.

27. An edible mixture according to claim 24 wherein said mixture comprises about 5 to 25 wt-% of said ionized source of ions and about 75 to 95 wt-% of said foodstuff.

28. An edible mixture according to claim 27 wherein said ionized source of ions is selected from the group consisting of an ionized hydrated lime, an ionized magnesium dihydrate, and mixtures thereof.

29. An edible mixture according to claim 24 wherein said foodstuff is selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, wheat bran, cracked barley, chopped alfalfa hay, and mixtures thereof.

30. Use of an edible mixture comprising a source of divalent and/or trivalent ions and a foodstuff for human or animal consumption to increase mineral bioavailability in the digestive system of said human or animal.

31. The use of claim 30 wherein said source of ions is a calcium ion source, a magnesium ion source, or a mixture thereof.

32. The use of claim 31 wherein said source of ions is selected from the group consisting of calcium oxide, calcium carbonate, calcium hydroxide, calcium sulfate, calcium dihydrate, slaked lime, hydrated lime, magnesium oxide, magnesium carbonate, magnesium chloride, magnesium dihydrate, magnesite, magnesium hydroxide, and mixtures thereof.

33. The use of claim 31 wherein said source of ions is selected from the group consisting of an ionized calcium oxide, an ionized magnesium oxide, an ionized calcium carbonate, and mixtures thereof.

34. The use of claim 30 wherein said mixture comprises about 5 to 25 wt-% of said source of ions and about 75 to 95 wt-% of said foodstuff.

35. The use of claim 34 wherein said source of ions is selected from the group consisting of an ionized hydrated lime, an ionized magnesium dihydrate, and mixtures thereof.

36. The use of claim 30 wherein said foodstuff is selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, wheat bran, cracked barley, chopped alfalfa hay, and mixtures thereof.

37. Use of a mineral mixture of about 10 to 50 grams of ionized hydrated lime containing hydrated magnesium oxide, in a ratio of substantially four parts of lime to one part of magnesium oxide, with about 40 to 200 grams of sodium chloride to feed a ruminant for increasing mineral bioavailability in the digestive system of said ruminant, whereby said mineral mixture reacts with water in the digestive system when ingested to form calcium hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide which in turn react with a phytic acid or a phytate in the digestive system, thereby releasing inositol, phosphorus and other minerals for use in the digestive system.

38. A commercial package containing an edible mixture comprising an ionized source of calcium and/or magnesium ions and a foodstuff for human or animal consumption in a ratio of about 20-1 : 1 foodstuff to ionized source together with instructions for the use of said mixture for increasing mineral bioavailability in the digestive system of said human or animal.

39. The commercial package of claim 38 wherein said ionized source of ions is selected from the group consisting of calcium oxide, calcium carbonate, calcium hydroxide, calcium sulfate, calcium dihydrate, slaked lime, hydrated lime, magnesium oxide, magnesium carbonate, magnesium chloride, magnesium dihydrate, magnesite, magnesium hydroxide, and mixtures thereof.

40. The commercial package of claim 38 wherein said ionized source of ions is selected from the group consisting of an ionized calcium oxide, an ionized magnesium oxide, an ionized calcium carbonate, and mixtures thereof.

41. The commercial package of claim 38 wherein said mixture comprises about 5 to 25 wt-% of said ionized source of ions and about 75 to 95 wt-% of said foodstuff.

42. The commercial package of claim 41 wherein said ionized source of ions is selected from the group consisting of an ionized hydrated lime, an ionized magnesium dihydrate, and mixtures thereof.

43. The commercial package of claim 38 wherein said foodstuff is selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, wheat bran, cracked barley, chopped alfalfa hay, and mixtures thereof.

44. A commercial package containing an edible mineral mixture, said mixture comprising for every 100 pounds of said mixture:
(i) about 20 pounds of an ion source comprising one part of ionized hydrated magnesium oxide to substantially four parts of ionized lime;

(ii) about 23 pounds of monosodium phosphate;
(iii) about 10 pounds of wheat bran;
(iv) about 10 pounds of dried molasses; and (v) about 37 pounds of salt;
together with instructions for the use of said mixture for increasing mineral bioavailability in the digestive system of a ruminant.

45. The package of claim 44 wherein the amount of said monosodium phosphate is increased to about 46 pounds and said salt is reduced to about 14 pounds.