Introduction
Nutri-ADD is a nutritional product administered to patients by Chiropractors to enhance their mental focus and attention. It is a formula containing specific nutrients that provide safe nutritional support to children having Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (“Thorne research nutritional supplements”, 2009). Each capsule of Nutri-ADD is small sized to ease the problem of swallowing since the supplement is specifically designed for children. According to Thorne Research, each Nutri-ADD capsule contains Vitamin B12, Chromium, Phosphatidylserine Isolate, Bacopa monnieri extract, Lactobacillus sporogenes and Oligomeric proanthocyanidin extract as the main constituents.
In order to fill space, manufacturers incorporate Hypromellose and some hypoallergenic ingredients– Magnesium Citrate and Silicon Dioxide (“Thorne research nutritional supplements”, 2009) to the composition of Nutri-ADD as its minor constituents. Recommended dosage for use is 1 capsule daily for patients under 6 years of age, 1 capsule twice a day for age 6 to 12 years and 1 capsule three times a day for patients over 12 years or as otherwise recommended by a medical practitioner. This product is not recommended to patients having a history of hypersensitivity to any of the constituents of this product. Consultation with health care professionals is advised for pregnant patients before use of this product.
Vitamin B12
Nutri-ADD contains Vitamin B12 as one of its major constituents. In Nutri-ADD, Vitamin B12 exists as Methylcobalamin and constitutes 1000 mcg by fraction in a Nutri-ADD capsule. Asymptomatic is a condition resulting from a deficit of Vitamin B12 in the body. This deficit may be as a result of low dietary intake of Vitamin B12 or as a result of impaired absorption of the element by the body. Vitamin B12 deficiency can also result in megaloblastic anemia. This anemic condition is characteristic of enlarged blood corpuscles and is coupled with change in the structure of neutrophils. In extreme cases, deficiency can cause irreversible damage to the body’s nervous system.
Causes of Vitamin B12 deficiency
The main cause of Vitamin B12 deficiency in the body is substantial intake of the element. A vegetarian diet can lead to Vitamin B12 deficiency since the element naturally occurs in animal products. This can be remediated by use of supplements or consumption of enriched food.
Another cause of Vitamin B12 deficiency but mostly affects populations in Scandinavian countries is infestation by fish tapeworm (De Baets, Vandedrinck& Vandamme, 2000). This results in a chronic intestinal infestation by the fish tapeworm Diphyllobothrium. The worm competes for Vitamin B12 for its own use depriving the host organism access to and use of the element.
Metformin – a diabetes medication has been found to affect the ability of the body to absorb Vitamin B12. Other causes of deficiency are hereditary and parasitic infestation affecting intestinal absorption system.
Treatment
Deficiency of the element in the body can be mediated by use of nutritional supplements. Such supplements are available as oral pills or liquids and may be administered by swallowing or injection. For oral treatment, 250 µg to 1 mg of B12 are taken daily (De Baets et al., 2000).To ensure optimum absorption, B12 can be administered by injection in the form of Cyanocobalamin or Hydroxocobalamin. The problem of Vitamin B12 deficiency can also be solved by consumption of animal products. According to (De Baets et al., 2000) for instance, 3 ounces of beef contains 2.4 µg of Vitamin B12 and accounts for 40% of daily value. One egg on the other side provides 0.6 µg and accounts for 10% of daily value.
Chromium
Nutri-ADD contains chromium in the form UltraChrome. One capsule contains 50 mcg UltraChrome by fraction. Discovered in 1797 from the mineral crocoite, chromium is a chemical element that has the symbol Cr and atomic number of 24. Chromium was later found to be hard and have high resistance to corrosion. For this reason, the metal has been industrially applied in chrome platting where by use of electroplating principles, the metal is added to steel to form stainless steel to increase its resistance to corrosion (Voet and Donald, 1995). Trace amounts of trivalent chromium is required for metabolism of sugar and lipids in humans. Deficiency of chromium in the body results to a condition called chromium deficiency. Although chromium has been found to be beneficial, some of its forms pose environmental and health risks to humans thus the need for environmental protection from such forms. For instance, hexavalent chromium has been found to be toxic and carcinogenic. Chromium (III) is the most stable state of chromium and has an oxidation state of +3. Other possible states of existence of chromium though rare are those having oxidation numbers of +1, +2, +4, +5 and +6.
Chromium (III)
This is the most stable form of chromium having an oxidation number of +3. It is obtained by forming a solution of chromium with acids like hydrochloric or sulfuric acid. Movement of chromium (III) in the body takes a specific transport mechanism. For this reason, small and limited amounts enter the cells. According to Voet and Donald (1995), high concentrations of chromium (III) have been found to damage DNA with acute oral toxicity ranging between 1500 to 3300 µ/kg. Recent reviews found the use of chromium (III) in moderated quantities as dietary supplements to pose no danger.
Chromium (IV)
This is a rare form of chromium having oxidation number of +4 and has powerful oxidation properties. While in the body, chromium (IV) is transformed into chromium (III) through a reduction process. Due to its powerful oxidation properties, chromium (IV) causes damage to the kidneys and the liver resulting to Hemolysis and renal failure. To counter this, medical doctors recommend aggressive dialysis to lower the levels of the element in the body.
Phosphatidylserine Isolate
Each Nutri-ADD capsule contains 100 mg of Phosphatidylserine Isolate. Phosphatidylserine Isolate also referred to as Thorne Iso-Phos is a vital component of neural cell membrane (“Thorne research nutritional supplements”, 2009). If taken as a supplement, Phosphatidylserine Isolate has been found to increase adrenal and optimize cognitive function although its daily value has not been determined yet.
Bacopa monnieri
Bacopa monnieri is a herbal plant that grows in the native areas of India. The extracts of the plant Bacopa monnieri have 20% Bacosides A+B and are used as the source of Ayurvedic herb. The herb is administered to patients to enhance their memory and improve brain functioning. The Bacopa herb is made up of bacopaside I and II, phytochemicals betulinic acid, wogonin and oroxindin (Ingkaninan, Wattanathorn, Mucimapura & Uabundit, 2009). It also has flavonoids and luteolin in small fractions.
One capsule of Nutri-ADD contains 150 mg of Bacopa monnieri leaf extract. The normal dosage of the herb is 100mg to 300 mg once or twice a day depending on the individual patient. Bacopa monnieri supplement per every two capsules contains100mg of calcium which accounts for 10% of daily value. Studies show that the real mean daily value of Bacopa monnieri has not yet been established (Ingkaninan et al., 2009).
Benefits of Bacopa monnieri
Apart from improving brain functioning and enhancing clear thinking, Bacopa monnieri has antioxidant properties. These properties make the herb suitable for preventing ulcer formation in the stomach. Although there are no known long or short term effects of using the herb, it is recommended that patients should take breaks while using the herb.
Lactobacillus sporogenes
By composition, one capsule of Nutri-ADD supplement contains 25mg lactobacillus sporogenes by volume fraction. Lactobacillus sporogenes is the market name of Bacillus coagulans. Bergey (1986) defines bacillus coagulans as a bacterial species that forms lactic acid in a host organism. It is aerobic, forms spores and ranges in size from 0.9μm by 3.0μm to 5.0μm. For optimum growth, the bacterium requires a temperature of 50 °C.
According to the American Society for Microbiology, the bacterium Lactobacillus sporogenes does not exist. Manufacturers and marketers of these probiotic supplements take advantage of the public’s ignorance as there is no known valid literature on the safety of human consumption of the bacteria Lactobacillus sporogenes
Application of the bacteria
The main application area of the bacteria is veterinary services. The US food and administration center for veterinary medicine and the EU have approved the use of the bacteria in veterinary services as a probiotic. In humans, the bacteria is used to improve vaginal flora, raise immune response to counter viral changes and used as supplement to improve concentration.
Oligomeric proanthocyanidin extract
Extracted from the bark of French maritime pine, Oligomeric proanthocyanidin consists of chemicals scientifically called Oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes. Grape seed has been found to also contain similar substances. Oligomeric proanthocyanidin products are marketed globally for a wide range of uses although there is no proof of effective use in any medical condition (Yang, Liao & Zhu, 2007).
The recommended dosage for a specific condition is 150 to 300 mg per day. 50 mg of Oligomeric proanthocyanidin has been recommended when used as an antioxidant (Yang et al., 2007). Oligomeric proanthocyanidin has been used for the therapeutic treatment of chronic venous insufficiency. This condition results in pools of blood in the legs causing swelling, pain and fatigue. The use of this product relieves the legs of the pain and reduces swelling. Extensive studies show that this product is nontoxic and has rare side effects. However, it may result in allergic conditions in some patients.
Nutri-ADD
Thorne’s Nutri-ADD is a nutritional supplement administered by chiropractors to patients having memory and attention disorders. The product combines other nutritional supplements into one complete pill. It can be summarized into an all in one nutritional supplement product. Each of the constituents plays a specific role when taken by a patient. Nutri-ADD promotes nervous cell transmission, increases attention and mental focus, maintains mental focus and enhances alertness of school going patients. If administered correct and as according to the prescription of medical professionals or chiropractors, Nutri-ADD can have positive results to the patient.
Cost benefit analysis
Thorne’s research places the price of Nutri-ADD at $62.55. Bearing in mind that the Nutri-ADD supplement is a combination of other supplements, it would otherwise be very expensive administering each component of the supplement separately. Also considering that each component has a separate place of origin; it may prove hard for patients to get the supplements. Thorne’s Nutri-ADD not only provides nutritional supplement to patients but also combines the world’s best known supplements into one formula that can be administered for a variety of uses to help suppress most neurological conditions. This all in one product ensures that patients can have easy access to the constituent supplements at fairly low costs.
Conclusion
Supplements are useful food products prescribed by medical professionals to provide equilibrium or help reach acceptable levels of body nutrients. Common medical conditions caused by the deficit of an important elemental nutrient in the body can be controlled and maintained by the use of nutritional supplements. Such supplements provide the body with necessary conditions for normal body functioning to continue. Nutri-ADD is a nutritional supplement given to patients having attention disorders or low brain functioning capabilities (“Thorne research nutritional supplements”, 2009). It is professionally and medically formulated to provide the patient with stimulants that enhance nervous cells formation and transmission within the nervous system and increase brain functioning. Although there are no documented side effects of using the supplement, patients are still advised to always follow their physician’s prescription since the side effects of this product are subjects for ongoing research.
As a healthcare professional, I would recommend the use of this product. Due to its simplicity in use, well documented positive results that it bears, safety and relative cheapness, Nutri-ADD provides the best solution to patients having memory and attention disorders. Patients can get the best out of this product without facing huge financial and health risks. For successful and effective use of the product, patients are advised to desist from abusing this nutritional supplement drug as this may have severe and serious complications.
References
Bergey, H. (1986). A Patented Strain of Bacillus coagulans Increased Immune Response to Viral Challenge: Manual of Systematic Bacteriology.
De Baets, S., Vandedrinck S. & Vandamme E. (2000). “Vitamins and Related Biofactors, Microbial Production”. In Lederberg J, Encyclopedia of Microbiology. New York: Academic Press
Ingkaninan, K., Wattanathorn, J. Mucimapura, S. & Uabundit, N. (2009). Cognitive enhancement and neuroprotective effects of Bacopa monnieri in Alzheimer’s disease model. Thailand, Khon Kaen University press
Thorne research nutritional supplements: Innovative medicine products (2009). Web.
Voet, J. G., & Donald, V. (1995). Biochemistry. New York: J. Wiley & Sons.
Yang, H.M., Liao, M.F. & Zhu S.Y. (2007) A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial on the effect of Pycnogenolon the climacteric syndrome in peri-menopausal women. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 86:978-985