Biochemical Individuality
    We receive many requests for information about adjusting nutrient dosages for different ages and weights. The following are some guide-lines.
    Before discussing them, please note that the need for and response to supplements varies greatly and depends on many factors. Foremost is an individual’s ability to digest, absorb and metabolize nutrients. Other factors include the quality of the diet, lifestyle, stress factors, specific disease conditions and more subtle factors such as mental attitude.
    Patients living a healthful, low-stress lifestyle use up less nutrients and therefore often need fewer nutritional supplements. Those with a better diet may obtain more nutrients from foods and therefore require fewer supplements. However, if an individual is allergic to foods one is eating, even if they are good quality, it can negatively affect the absorption of all nutrients, offsetting the benefit of a quality diet. Thus, the picture may be complex.
    Some people definitely require higher doses than would be indicated by their size or weight, others need less. Occasionally a patient can only tolerate one dosage of supplements every other day. Practitioners need to know this is not an exact science and be willing to adjust the size of nutrient programs when needed. Our laboratory consultants can be of help as well.

Adjusting Nutrient Dosages
    Weight is the most reliable criterion for adjusting supplement dosages. The standard supplement programs are designed for an adult of about 150 pounds or 80 kilos.
    If one weighs half the adult standard, the dosage should be about half as much. However, if an individual weighs one fourth the standard, the dosage should only be cut to one third of the standard. A child weighing 30 pounds, about a fifth the adult weight, would need about one fourth of the adult dosage.
    Individuals weighing over 150 pounds may need additional nutrients. A person weighing 200 pounds does not generally need higher doses of supplements. A person weighing 250 or more often needs about one third greater dosage of supplements. These are averages, but are good rules of thumb.

Infants and Children
    Diet is very important for children. A good diet can supply many nutrients a child needs. A poor diet, or eating allergic foods, can derail even the best supplement program. Food that are often a problem for children are wheat or all gluten-containing products, cow's milk products and sweets.
    Fruit juices are often a hidden problem. Many parents think these are fine beverages. However, they are mostly sugar and water. Only a small amount of organic and well-diluted fruit juices should be given to infants, children or adults. Also, many baby foods and particularly commercial juices, such as grape juice, may contain fluorides and other pesticide residues.
    If a baby is breast feeding, supplements for the baby can be given to the mother. If a baby is not breast feeding, be sure to check the infant formula. Many formulas are unbalanced and unhealthy for children. For example, many children are allergic to cow's milk and soy formulas. Formulas may also contain refined sugar and other chemicals.
    The new chewable product, Endo-Mins (a multi-vitamin, multi-mineral product), can help reduce the size of children's supplement programs. For other supplements, use a pill crusher such as the EZ-Crusher available from Endo-met Laboratories. Mix the nutrient powder in a strong-tasting food, such as bean soup, banana or nut butter.
    Twice a day for supplements is often best for children. However, do not be afraid to give somewhat more to children in cases where they seem to need it. For example, extra Paramin (a calcium & magnesium product) or ICMN (inositol, choline, methionine & niacinamide product) may help calm an agitated child. An extra tablet of Endo-Dren (adrenal product) or Megapan (multiple vitamin & mineral product), along with rest, may help a child who is going through a period of fatigue.

Supplements for the Elderly
    In general, nutrient digestion and absorption decrease with age. Chewable supplements such as Endo-Mins may assist absorption, as will crushing or grinding tablets for those with very poor assimilation.
    Many older people need a digestive aid. Betaine HCL-Pepsin is very good. It is especially indicated for slow oxidizers and those with a low sodium/potassium ratio or very low hair sodium and potassium levels. Fast oxidizers and those with high ratios of sodium to potassium usually have less need for this product. They are more likely to experience heartburn from it.
    Hiatal hernia is common among the elderly and may cause difficulty taking Betaine HCL-Pepsin. One solution is to take the product before or early in the meal. Many older people are taking anti-acid drugs such as Prilosec to reduce gastric reflux. Unfortunately, this impairs their nutrient absorption. Better solutions are to avoid eating late in the evening, elevate the head of the bed with a few blocks and relax during and after meals. It is also possible to reduce hiatal hernias. Many chiropractors are familiar with the simple techniques.
    Many older people have trouble sleeping. Several extra Paramin tablets at the evening meal or at bedtime may help. Also, 5-HTP (5-Hydroxy L-Tryptophan), melatonin or valerian root may help. A few Moly-Cu (molybdenum product) tablets in the evening can help when there is overt or hidden copper toxicity.
    Constipation affects many elderly who eat less and are less active. Extra magnesium - as many tablets as are needed - is a simple and healthful way to handle this. Magnesium is a physiological correction. Other excellent aids include Dietary Fiber tablets and at times the GB-3 product, which is slightly laxative. If possible, avoid herbal laxatives that can be habit-forming.

Mini-Programs
    Reducing the size of nutrient programs while maintaining their integrity is tricky. Here is a way to do this for slow oxidizers. We recommend for most slow oxidizers Hi-B, vitamin C or Endo-AC, vitamin E and manganese. These may be combined by substituting Megapan. It contains a fair amount of vitamins C and E, manganese and B-complex vitamins in one product. Megapan also contains significant chromium. This is very helpful for those with sweet cravings and hypoglycemia. Usually, four to six tablets of Megapan are needed.
    The full program at times is definitely superior. In other cases, however, substituting Megapan will suffice along with the other recommended supplements for slow oxidizers. It is important to keep the relative dosages of zinc, manganese and other nutrients similar to that which is recommended.