| abstract |
The present invention is directed to novel compositions of bio-active compounds comprising 4-hydroxyisoleucine and one or more compounds selected from the group of amino acids, alkaloids, glycosides, volatile oils, saponins, sapogenins, mannans, flavonoids, fatty acids, vitamins and provitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates. Preferably, the novel compositions of bio-active compounds include 4-hydroxyisoleucine and one or more amino acids selected from the group consisting of arginine, aspartate, threonine, serine, glutamate, proline, glycine, alanine, cysteine, valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, tryptophan, phenylalanine, ornithine, proline, lysine, histidine, and gamma-aminobutyrate. The composition of bio-active compounds preferably include between about ten percent and about seventy percent of 4-hydroxyisoleucine and between about twenty percent and about forty percent of other amino acids. The bio-active compounds of the novel composition of the present invention may be derived, isolated, and/or extracted from Fenugreek seeds. A preferred method for extracting the bio-active compounds from Fenugreek seeds includes the steps of: (1) providing a plurality of Fenugreek seeds; (2) preparing the Fenugreek seeds; and (3) extracting a novel composition of bio-active compounds from the Fenugreek seeds, which include a preliminary extraction step and a secondary extraction step. The compositions of bio-active compounds have been found to be helpful in restoring healthy energy balance in humans and animals, aiding in weight management efforts, and for balancing blood sugar levels by way of assisting the body to make more efficient use of existing (i.e., endogenous) insulin. |