Nutrition vs Ritalin - minerals

[catatonic]

Here is the mineral supplement portion of the natural treatment protocol used in the Harvard Med study that concluded nutritional treatment is as effective as Ritalin:

magnesium - 220 - 480mg
calcium - 110 - 170mg
potassium - 46-70mg
chromium - 140 - 200mcg
selenium - 26-32mcg
zinc - 9 - 15mg
manganese - 2.5 - 4 mg
boron - 1,200 - 1,800mcg
copper - 1.2 - 2.4mg
silica - 4mg
molybdenum - 5 - 40mcg
vanadium - 2 - 20mcg
iron - 1 - 2 mg

I compared this mineral profile to the one in the multi-vitamins we use (Special Two by Now Foods) and found that they are very close to identical. There are a few trivial differences in amounts, that's all. And, of course, to reach the required amount of magnesium, a separate supplement has to be used.

I also compared it to the generic "Basic Multi" available at our health food store and found that it is again very similar, though a separate magnesium supplement is still required.

My guess is they used a good quality multi-vitamin with minerals to cover the bulk of the vitamin requirements and all of the minerals, with the exception of magnesium, which was added separately.

Boron and vanadium are often not included in multi-vitamins, however those aren't two of the minerals I'd worry about. Potassium is also not always included, and that one I would pay attention to. If necessary, a separate potassium tablet can be added; I know they come in 50mg sizes and are very inexpensive. Overall, the minerals look pretty easy to achieve, and very much in line with common supplements. No surprises here.

[lisle]

Cat:
I wonder if your child who didn't do well with the Special Two (I used to take them also) was sensitive to the copper in the vitamin. I say that since my son has a lot of free copper and histamine in his blood tests and was told that he needs to stay away from any supplement with copper or folic acid (because it elevates histamine).
lisle

[catatonic]

Lisle, that's a very interesting idea. I'll have to look into it further. I've done some reading on histamine levels, and think it's a good possibility that my boy also has elevated histamine levels. Thanks for the info.