Suggested Dosages for Nutritional Supplements

The Autism Research Institute (ARI) has pioneered the use of nutritional supplements in autism and related disorders since the 1960s. Many research studies, as well as immense amounts of clincial data, show nutritional supplements to be far safer, and far more effective, than drugs. (view data comparing drugs and supplements.)

Because of ARI's research and advocacy of the use of nutritional supplements, we are often asked for our suggestions on the dosages most likely to be helpful to autistic children. read to our article from the Autism Research Review International (1997) titled “What is the right dosage for vitamin B6, DMG and other nutrients useful in autism?"

The information provided in the above 1997 article is generic, giving suggested dosages in milligrams, or in mg/lb/day.

In addition to the queries ARI receives for generic information on dosages, we frequently receive queries about appropriate dosages for the B6 products from Kirkman Laboratories of Lake Oswego, Oregon (www.kirkmanlabs.com). They provide flavored vitamins in liquid or power form, which can make our milligrams dose suggestions rather confusing. In response to these requests, we are posting below our suggested dose information for products from Kirkman Laboratories.

Why Kirkman, when there are several other companies which make similar products? There are several reasons. One reason is that Kirkman, which has been making flavored supplements at our request since 1967, is by far the most popular brand. ARI receives many more inquiries about Kirkman products than all the other brands put together.

The second reason is more personal. The following paragraphs are taken from my chapter in the book Treating Autism: Parent Stories of Hope and Success, and describe my initial efforts, in 1967, to find flavored vitamins that I could use in a study for autistic children:

The first problem was to find flavored vitamins, since some of the vitamins of interest, especially B6 and B3, are very bitter. I wrote to all 26 vitamin manufacturers in the Thomas Register to ask if they would be willing to make flavored vitamins for a study we were planning on autistic children. Twenty-four of the 26 companies did not reply. One of the two who replied simply said, “Not interested.” The other company, Kirkman Labs of Portland, Oregon, said “Certainly, we’ll be glad to help. Just tell us what you need.” A very welcome, and important, letter! Remember, in those days, the late ‘60s, autism was extremely rare - probably only one or two children per 10,000 -- and almost no one had even heard the term “autism.”

Kirkman Labs worked diligently with us for many months, sending us sample after sample of tablets flavored to mask the taste of B3 and B6, so they would be palatable to special needs children. Kirkman did this at their own expense, which must have been considerable. Without them we would have failed. As a parent and as a researcher, I will forever be grateful to Kirkman Labs, which continues to manufacture vitamins and other products tailored to the needs of our children.

Bernard Rimland, Ph.D.

Suggested Dosage for Kirkman's Super Nu Thera -- Vitamin B6 and Magnesium

Average daily dose -- some individuals need more -- others need less.*

Weight in pounds	Liquid	Powder	Caplets
30 pounds	1 teaspoon	1 teaspoon	Not Recommended
60 pounds	2 teaspoons	2 teaspoons	6 caplets
90 pounds	3 teaspoons	3 teaspoons	9 caplets
120 pounds or more	4 teaspoons	4 teaspoons	12 caplets

Nu-Thera Hypoallergenic Capsules with 50mg P5P

Average daily dose -- some individuals need more -- others need less.*

30 - 45 pounds	one capsule daily
46 - 60 pounds	two capsules daily (AM and PM)
61 - 90 pounds	three capsules daily (two AM - one PM)
over 90 pounds	four capsules daily (two AM - two PM)

Super Nu Thera Hypoallergenic Capsules

Average daily dose -- some individuals need more -- others need less.*

30 - 45 pounds	two capsules daily
46 - 60 pounds	four capsules daily (AM & PM)
61 - 120 pounds	six capsules daily (two AM & PM)
over 120 pounds	six to eight capsules daily (AM & PM)

*We are very often asked, "What is the right dosage of this or that for our child?" The answer is, for nutrients as it is for drugs--no one knows. Each person is very different from everyone else, and only by experimenting--trial and error--can it be determined if a substance will be helpful and in what amounts it should be given. For discussions of dosage issues, read "Vitamin B6 in autism: the safety issue" and read “What is the right dosage for vitamin B6, DMG and other nutrients useful in autism?"

**It is best to give any vitamins in divided doses. When possible give 1/3 of the total dose with each meal.

When first starting the dosage should be 1/4 the suggested daily dosage, and the amount increased gradually over a period of one week to ten days, so that the child can adapt.