The present invention includes amino sugar chelates and methods for preparing amino sugar chelates of the formula given below, where M is a metal; R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are independently selected from H, OH and hydroxyl substituted C.sub.1-C.sub.8 alkyl; R.sub.4 is selected from H, CO.sub.2H, OH, and hydroxyl substituted C.sub.1-C.sub.8 alkyl; each R.sub.5 is independently selected from H, OH, and hydroxyl substituted C.sub.1-C.sub.8 alkyl; A is selected from CH and O; a is from 0-6; b is from 0-6; n is from 1 to 8. The amino sugar chelates may include matrix stabilizing salts. The compounds and compositions disclosed can be used as nutritional supplements to impart health benefits.