WO2000039777A1

WO2000039777A1 - Method and system for determining a personalized regimen of vitamins, minerals, herbs, and food supplements

Info

Publication number: WO2000039777A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/029960
Authority: WO
Inventors: George P. Klika
Original assignee: Designer Vitamins, Inc.
Priority date: 1998-12-26
Filing date: 1999-12-16
Publication date: 2000-07-06
Also published as: AU2365400A; WO2000039777B1

Abstract

Information from a set of questions concerning the health, age, sex and other personal characteristics of a person is used to create a beneficial and custom-tailored regimen of supplements such as vitamin and mineral supplements, herbs, hormones, and food supplements to be consumed on a periodic basis by that person. The answers to the questionnaire (11, 16, 21) are input into a general-purpose computer appropriately configured by a program. The computer generates a regimen based on an analysis of the answers according to a series of rules concerning recommendations of particular supplements for various conditions. The regimen is printed or otherwise sent to the person for her guidance in selecting and consuming supplements.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING

A PERSONALIZED REGIMEN OF

VITAMINS, MINERALS, HERBS, AND FOOD SUPPLEMENTS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of nutritional and health counseling. In the past century the medical profession and other members of the healing and therapeutic arts have learned of the importance of vitamins and minerals and other supplements to the heath and proper functioning of the human body and mind. The

federal government has determined and publicized minimum daily requirements for these substances. The general public is now aware of the need for vitamins and

minerals in the diet. Many persons now take doses of vitamins and minerals (referred to as "supplemental vitamins and minerals" because they are consumed in order to

supplement the quantities of these substances ingested as part of the consumer's diet), in order to ensure that they receive adequate amounts. Some persons take supplemental vitamins and minerals in order to address particular health problems. For

example, older people may take calcium in order to combat osteoporosis and persons suffering from colds may take vitamin C or other immune system boosters such as Co-

Enzyme Q₁₀. In recent years, the general public has also become aware of the benefits of herbs (including herb extracts or derivatives), food or dietary supplements, and natural or synthesized hormones such as Melatonin. Herbs and food supplements are naturally occurring materials or substances, usually from plants, that have pharmaceutical or other positive effects on the human body and mind. For example, St. John's Wort is useful for alleviating depression, Saw Palmetto promotes male prostate health, and cranberry juice extract or concentrate helps control bladder infections. A person may consume a food supplement such as fiber in order to reduce constipation and acidophilus to combat certain types of infections. The consumption of supplements of hormones normally present in the body, such as Melatonin, may help with certain conditions such as sleeplessness.

The word "supplements," when used without a noun adjective in this specification, refers to any substance that is ingested by a consumer in order to benefit the consumer's physical or mental health, and includes vitamin and mineral supplements, herbs, hormones, and food or dietary supplements.

Currently, many persons who consume vitamin and mineral supplements, herbs, hormones, and food supplements do so on the basis of limited information. To be sure, medical practitioners and other members of the healing and therapeutic arts prescribe appropriate quantities of supplemental vitamins and minerals, herbs, and food supplements for specific problems. Acupuncturists, for example, study the lore of herbs in their training in order to prescribe appropriate herbs to their consumers. The great majority of consumers of food supplements and herbs, however, purchase and consume these substances based on general information found in books and magazines, seen on television, or heard from friends and acquaintances, none of which is tailored to the unique personal characteristics of the individual.

Such information may be incomplete or incorrect. For example, the consumer may not learn that a particular herb or vitamin is useful for a condition that she has.

The consumer may not know how much of a supplement or herb is appropriate for her

age, weight, blood type and other characteristics. Furthermore, she may not be aware of possibly unfavorable interactions between the supplements, herbs, and drugs she is taking.

Accordingly, a need exists for a method and system for determining a complete regimen of vitamin and mineral supplements, herbs, and food supplements for an

individual based on that individual's unique personal characteristics and problems. Such a method and system should be suitable for use by counselors and healers in advising consumers on a personalized, inexpensive, consistent, and timely basis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This need is met by the present invention, which provides a method, system, and a stored program for determining a regimen of supplements, which may include

vitamin and mineral supplements, herbs, and food supplements (including hormones), for an individual based on that individual's unique personal characteristics. In

preferred embodiments, the method is implemented by a questionnaire and a program

implemented by a computer, the system uses a computer, and the program is stored on

a computer-readable medium. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of my invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 -16 show a flow chart for a preferred embodiment of a computer- implemented method according to my invention;

FIG. 17 shows a simplified version of a preferred embodiment of a system according to my invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In a preferred embodiment of the method according to my invention, a person

or consumer provides answers to a series of predetermined questions. These questions are selected to obtain information concerning the person's physical and mental condition, background, and environment. Computer analysis of the person's information according to rules concerning the therapeutic or prophylactic value of

vitamin supplements, mineral supplements, herbs, hormones, and other food supplements generates a personalized regimen of vitamin and mineral supplements, herbs, hormones, and other food supplements to be ingested by the person at regular

intervals.

Preferably, the method just described is implemented by a system 1 as shown in

outline in FIG. 17. An operator or user of the system enters the consumer's answers

to a list of questions is entered into an input device 2. (A currently preferred list of questions is described below in connection with FIGS. 1-16.) This information is sent to a computer 3, which has a processor 4 and a memory 5. The regimen information is developed by the computer 3 under the control of a software program to be described below in connection with FIGS. 1-16. The regimen information is then sent to output device 6 in order to be provided to the person or consumer.

A general-purpose computer, such as an IBM-compatible personal computer equipped with an Intel (Trademark) PENTIUM (Trademark) microprocessor, is

currently preferred for the computer 3. The actual type of computer used is not important, as long as the computer has enough memory to store and run the program

and to store the input and output data, The memory 5 preferably is a disk drive. The input device 2 is preferably a keyboard. The output device 6 is preferably a printer. Alternatively or in addition, the output device 6 is a monitor or display screen.

In alternate embodiments, the computer 3 may be a special-purpose computer in which the program is loaded in a read-only memory. The memory would then include a random-access memory. The input device 2 could be a reader for a sheet bearing the answers to the list of questions. The consumer could interact directly with the system of my invention by entering an answer in response to each question of the

list as it is displayed on a monitor or screen.

Alternative computers, input devices, and output devices for accomplishing the purposes of my invention will be discerned by those of ordinary skill in the computer

arts upon review of this specification.

Referring now to the flow chart shown in FIGS. 1-16, the software application

program for developing the personalized supplemental vitamin, supplemental mineral,

and herb regimen is described. The software program is started by the user [10]. The

program is written in any programming language compatible with the computer used, in order to implement the scheme shown by the flow diagrams and described in this specification. The program initially retrieves the answers to the list of questions from the memory 5 (not shown). The software next determines whether the consumer is 40 years of age or older from the consumer's answer to the request "please enter your age" [11]. If the consumer is 40 years old or older, the software assigns a value of 25 milligrams (daily dosage) to a variable called "DHEA" [12] and then causes the output device to print or display the age of the consumer and the recommended daily dose of

25 milligrams of DHEA [13], i.e., the value of the variable DHEA. (DHEA, or Dehydroepiandrosterone, is a hormone that is recommended for older persons.) For a consumer younger than 40 years, the software assigns the value of 0 to the variable "DHEA" [14] and then causes the output device to print or display the age of the consumer and a recommended dose of zero milligrams of DHEA [15]. The age of the consumer need not be displayed but display is preferred.

The software next determines the consumer's "index" or ratio of weight (in pounds) to height (in inches), using the consumer's answers to the requests "please enter your weight in pounds" and "please enter your height in inches" and then determines whether the index is equal to or greater than 2.5 [16]. If the consumer's index is equal to or greater than 2.5, the software assigns the value of 200 (micrograms) to the variable called "Chromium Picolinate" [17] and then causes the output device to print or display the calculated body index and the recommended daily dose of 200 micrograms of chromium picolinate [18]. (Chromium picolinate is a mineral supplement recommended for overweight persons.) If the consumer has a body index of less than 2.5, the software assigns the value of zero to the variable Chromium Picolinate [19] and then causes the output device to print or display the calculated body index of the consumer and a recommended dose of zero micrograms of chromium picolinate [20]. The software next determines the consumer's blood pressure (as the ratio of systole to diastole ), using the consumer's answers to the questions "what is your systole value" and "what is your diastole value?", and determines whether the blood pressure ratio is greater than or equal to 140/90 [21 ]. (A blood pressure ratio that is greater than or equal to 140/90 is the threshold for hypertension.) If the consumer's blood pressure ratio is greater than or equal to 140/90, the software assigns the value of 200 (milligrams) to the variable called "Potassium" [22] and then causes the output device to print or display the blood pressure ratio and the recommended daily dose of 200 milligrams of potassium [23]. (Potassium is a mineral supplement recommended for hypertension.) If the consumer has a blood pressure ratio of less than 140/90, the software assigns the value of zero to the variable Potassium [24] and then causes the output device to print or display the blood pressure ratio of the consumer and a recommended dose of zero milligrams of potassium [25]. A variable called "Total Potassium" is initially set to 200 (milligrams) [26]. The value of the variable Potassium is added to the value of the variable Total Potassium to give the new value of Total Potassium [27]. The software then causes the output device to print or display the value of the variable Total Potassium [28], .

The software next (see FIG. 2) determines the consumer's number of colds per year, using the consumer's answers to the request "enter frequency of colds per year," and determines whether the number is greater than or equal to one [29]. If the consumer's number of colds per year is greater than one, the software assigns the value of 250 (milligrams) to the variable called "Vitamin C" [30] and then causes the output device to print or display the number of colds suffered per year and the recommended daily dose of 250 milligrams of vitamin C [31]. (Vitamin C is a vitamin supplement recommended for promoting resistance to colds and flus.) The variable "Total of Vitamin C," which initially has the value of zero, is assigned the value of the variable Vitamin C, i.e., 250 milligrams [32]. If the consumer has not had a cold in a year, the software assigns the value of zero to the variable Vitamin C [33 ] and then causes the output device to print or display the number of colds experienced by the consumer in a year and a recommended dose of zero milligrams of Vitamin C [34 ].

The software next determines whether the consumer uses tobacco, using the consumer's answers to the question "do you use tobacco (Y/N)?" [35]. If the consumer uses tobacco, the variable "Vitamin C" is assigned the value 250 (milligrams) [36] and then causes the output device to print or display the fact that the consumer uses tobacco and the recommended daily dose of 250 milligrams of Vitamin C for that condition [37]. (Vitamin C is a vitamin supplement recommended for smokers to combat the effects of tobacco usage.) The variable "Total Vitamin C," which initially has the value of zero, is increased by the value of the variable Vitamin C, i.e., 250 milligrams [38]. If the consumer does not use tobacco, the software assigns the value of zero to the variable Vitamin C [39] and then causes the output device to print or display the fact that the consumer does not use tobacco and a recommended dose of zero milligrams of Vitamin C for that condition [40].

The software next determines whether the consumer uses alcohol [41]. If the consumer has responded to the question "do you use alcohol?" with an affirmative answer, the software assigns the variable "Milk Thistle" the value 175 (milligrams) [42] and then causes the output device to print or display the fact that the consumer uses alcohol and the recommended daily dose of 175 milligrams of Milk Thistle for that condition [43]. (Milk Thistle is an herb recommended for alcohol users to combat the effects of alcohol usage.) If the consumer does not use alcohol, the software assigns the value of zero to the variable Milk Thistle [44] and then causes the output device to print or display the fact that the consumer does not use alcohol and a recommended dose of zero milligrams of Milk Thistle for that condition [45]. The software next (see FIG. 3) compares the consumer's cholesterol to a predetermined value, using the consumer's answer to the request "enter your cholesterol level" [46]. If the consumer's cholesterol level is equal to or over 200, the software assigns the variable "Garlic" the value 250 (milligrams) [47] and then causes the output device to print or display the consumer's cholesterol level and the recommended daily dose of 250 milligrams of garlic for that condition [48]. (Garlic is an herb recommended for reducing high cholesterol levels.) The variable "Total Garlic," which initially is set to the value of zero [49], is increased by the value of the variable Garlic, i.e., 250 milligrams [50]. If the consumer has a cholesterol level below 200, the software assigns the value of zero to the variable Garlic [51] and then causes the output device to print or display the consumer's cholesterol level and a recommended dose of zero milligrams of Garlic for that condition [52].

The software next determines whether the blood type of the consumer is A, B, AB, or O based on her answer to the request "please enter your blood type" [53, 54, 55, and 56]. If the consumer's blood type is A, the amount of the variable "Vitamin B12" is set to 100 (milligrams) [57] and added to the variable "Total Vitamin B12"

[58] which was previously given the initial value 10 [59]. The software then causes the output device to print or display the consumer's A blood type and a recommended dose of vitamin B 12 appropriate to that blood type [60]. If the consumer's blood type is B, the variable "magnesium" is set to 500 (milligrams) [61] and added to the variable "Total Magnesium" [62] that was initially set to be 250 [63]. The software then causes the output device to print or display the

consumer's B blood type and a recommended dose of the mineral supplement magnesium that is appropriate to that blood type [64].

If the consumer's blood type is AB, the variable "Vitamin C" is set to 100 (milligrams) [65] and added to the variable "Total Vitamin C" [66] that is initially set to 100 in the step [67] if it has not attained a positive value in earlier steps [32] and

[38]. The software causes the output device to print or display the consumer's AB

blood type and a recommended dose of Vitamin C that is appropriate to that blood type

If the consumer's blood type is O, the variable "Calcium" is set to 1000 (milligrams) and the variable "Vitamin K" is set to 100 (micrograms) [68]. The value

of variable "Calcium" is added to the variable "Total Calcium" [69] that is initially set to 250 [70]. The value of the variable "Vitamin K" is added to the variable "Total

Vitamin K" [71] that is initially set to 60 [72]. The software then causes the output

device to print or display the consumer's O blood type and a recommended dose of 100 micrograms of supplemental vitamin K that is appropriate for that blood type [73].

The software next (see FIG. 4) determines whether the consumer uses caffeine [74]. If the consumer has responded to the question "do you use caffeine (Y/N)?"

with an affirmative answer, the software assigns the variable "Kava-Kava" the value

250 (milligrams) [75] and then causes the output device to print or display the fact

that the consumer uses caffeine and the recommended daily dose of 250 milligrams of

Kava-Kava for that condition [76]. (Kava-Kava is an herb recommended for caffeine users to combat the ill effects of caffeine usage.) If the consumer does not use caffeine, the software assigns the value of zero to the variable Kava-Kava [77] and then causes the output device to print or display the fact that the consumer does not use caffeine and a recommended dose of zero milligrams of Kava-Kava for that condition [78].

The software next determines whether the consumer uses aspirin [79]. If the consumer has responded to the question "do you use aspirin (Y/N)?" with an negative

answer, the software assigns the variable "Aspirin" the value 325 (milligrams) [80] and then causes the output device to print or display the fact that the consumer has a

cardiac risk factor and the recommended daily dose of 325 milligrams of aspirin for that condition [81]. (Aspirin is recommended to all consumers because of its beneficial

effects on the heart.) If the consumer does use aspirin, the software assigns the value

of zero to the variable Aspirin [82] and then causes the output device to print or display the fact that the consumer does use aspirin and a recommended dose of zero

milligrams of aspirin [83 ] .

The software next determines whether the consumer has allergies or hay fever [84]. If the consumer has responded to the question "do you have allergy/hay fever

(Y/N)?" with an affirmative answer, the software assigns the variable "Echinacea" the

value 400 (milligrams) [85] and then causes the output device to print or display the

fact that the consumer has allergy or hay fever and the recommended daily dose of 400

milligrams of echinacea for that condition [86]. (Echinacea is an herb recommended for suffers of allergies or hay fever.) If the consumer does not have an allergy or hay fever, the software assigns the value of zero to the variable Echinacea [87] and then

causes the output device to print or display the fact that the consumer does not have an allergy or hay fever and a recommended dose of zero milligrams of Echinacea for that condition [88].

The software next (FIG. 5) determines whether the consumer has a family history of heart disease [89]. If the consumer has responded to the question "does

your family have a heart disease history?" with an affirmative answer, the software assigns the variable "Vitamin E" the value of 400 (International Units or LU.) and the variable "CoEnzyme" the value of 50 (milligrams) [90]. The value of the variable

Vitamin E is added to the value of the variable "Total Vitamin E" [91] that was initially

set to be 100 [92]. The software then causes the output device to print or display the

fact that the consumer has a family history of heart disease and the recommended daily dose of 400 LU. of Vitamin E and 50 milligrams of CoEnzyme Q₁₀ for that condition [93]. (CoEnzyme Q₁₀ is a food supplement and Vitamin E is a vitamin recommended for persons with a family history of heart disease to combat the effects of heart

disease.) If the consumer does not have a family history of heart disease, the software

assigns the value of zero to the variable Vitamin E and to the variable CoEnzyme [94]

and then causes the output device to print or display the fact that the consumer does not have a family history of heart disease and a recommended dose of zero LU. of

Vitamin E and zero milligrams of CoEnzyme Q₁₀ [95].

The software next determines whether the consumer has a family history of

cancer [96]. If the consumer has responded to the question "does your family have a history of cancer?" with an affirmative answer, the software assigns the variable

"Grape Seed Extract" the value 50 (micrograms) and also assigns the variable "Selenium" the value of 100 (milligrams) [97]. The software causes the output device to print or display the fact that the consumer has a family history or cancer and the recommended daily dose of 50 micrograms of Grape Seed Extract and 100 milligrams of Selenium for that condition [98], (Grape Seed Extract is a food supplement and Selenium is a mineral supplement recommended for persons with a family history of cancer to combat the risk of developing cancer.) The variable Selenium is initially set

to a value of 100 (milligrams) [99]. The variable "Total Selemum is given the value of

the variable Selenium after the step in which an additional value of 100 is added to the variable Selenium due to a family cancer history [100]. The software then causes the output device to print or display the value of the variable Total Selenium, which is the total daily selemum dose recommended if the consumer has a family cancer history [101].

If the consumer does not have a family cancer history, the software assigns the value of zero to the variables Grape Seed Extract and Selenium [102] and then causes the output device to print or display the fact that the consumer does not have a family cancer history and a recommended dose of zero micrograms of Grape Seed Extract

and zero milligrams of Selenium for that condition [ 103 ] .

The software next determines whether the consumer has hemorrhoids or

constipation [104]. If the consumer has responded to the question

"hemorrhoids/constipation (Y/N)?" with an affirmative answer, the software assigns

the variable "Psyllium Husk Powder" the value 2500 (milligrams) [105] and then causes the output device to print or display the fact that the consumer reported having

hemorrhoids or constipation and the recommended daily dose of 2500 milligrams of Psyllium Husk Powder for that condition [106]. (Psyllium Husk Powder is a food

supplement recommended for suffers of hemorrhoids or constipation.) If the consumer

does not report having hemorrhoids or constipation, the software assigns the value of zero to the variable Psyllium Husk Powder [107] and then causes the output device to print or display the fact that the consumer does not report having hemorrhoids or constipation and a recommended dose of zero milligrams of Psyllium Husk Powder for that condition [108],

The software next (FIG. 6) determines whether the consumer has arthritis or painful joints [109]. If the consumer has responded to the question "arthritis/painful

joints (Y/N)?" with an affirmative answer, the software assigns the variable

"Glucosamine Sulfate" the value 2500 (milligrams) [110] and then causes the output device to print or display the fact that the consumer has arthritis or painful joints and the recommended daily dose of 2500 milligrams of Glucosamine Sulfate for that

condition [111]. (Glucosamine Sulfate is a food supplement recommended for sufferers of arthritis and painful joints.) If the consumer does not report having arthritis or painful joints, the software assigns the value of zero to the variable

Glucosamine Sulfate [112] and then causes the output device to print or display the

fact that the consumer does not have arthritis or painful joints and a recommended

dose of zero milligrams of Glucosamine Sulfate for that condition [113].

The software next determines whether the consumer consumes dairy products every day [114]. If the consumer has responded to the question "daily dairy product consumption (Y/N?" with an affirmative answer, the software assigns the variable

"Calcium" the value 175 (milligrams) [115] and then adds the value of the variable

"Calcium" to the variable "Total Calcium" [116] (the initial value of Total Calcium is

set to be zero). (Calcium is a mineral supplement recommended for people who do not consume enough calcium in the form of dairy products.) If the consumer does

consume dairy products every day, the software assigns the value of zero to the variable Calcium [117] and then causes the output device to print or display the fact that the consumer reports consuming dairy products every day and a recommended dose of zero milligrams of Calcium [118].

The software next determines whether the consumer consumes cruciferous vegetables every day [119]. If the consumer has responded to the question "daily cruciferous vegetable consumption (Y/N)?" with a negative answer, the software

assigns the variable "Beta Carotene" the value of 10,000 (LU.) [120] and causes the

output device to print or display the fact that the consumer does not consume cruciferous vegetables every day and the recommended daily dose of 10,000 LU. of Beta Carotene for that condition [121]. (Beta Carotene is a vitamin supplement

recommended for persons who do not consume cruciferous vegetables every day.) If

the consumer does consume cruciferous vegetables every day, the software assigns the value of zero to the variable Beta Carotene [122] and then causes the output device to print or display the fact that the consumer consumes cruciferous vegetables every day and a recommended dose of zero LU. of Beta Carotene for that condition [123].

The software next determines whether the consumer consumes citrus fruits

every week [124], If the consumer has responded to the question "daily citrus fruit

consumption (Y/N)?" with a negative answer, the software assigns the variable

"Vitamin C" the value of 250 (milligrams) and the variable "Citrus Bioflavinoid Complex" the value of 250 (milligrams) [125). The software then causes the output device to print or display the fact that the consumer does not consume citrus fruits

every day and the recommended daily dose of 250 milligrams of Citrus Bioflavinoid

Complex for that condition [126]. (Citrus Bioflavinoid Complex is a food supplement

recommended for persons who do not consume citrus fruits every day.) The value of the variable Vitamin C is added to the variable Total Vitamin C [127]. If the consumer does consume citrus fruits every day, the software assigns the value of zero

to the variables Vitamin C and Citrus Bioflavinoid Complex [128] and then causes the output device to print or display the fact that the consumer consumes citrus fruit every day and a recommended dose of zero milligrams of Vitamin C and Citrus

Bioflavinoid Complex for that condition [129].

The software next determines whether the consumer consumes fish every

week [130]. If the consumer has responded to the question "weekly fish consumption

(Y/N)?" with a negative answer, the software assigns the variable "Omega-3 Fish Oil" the value of 500 (milligrams) [131] and causes the output device to print or display the fact that the consumer does not consume fish every week and the recommended daily dose of 500 milligrams of Omega-3 fish oil for that condition [132]. (Omega-3

fish oil is a food supplement recommended for persons who do not consume fish every

week.) If the consumer does consume fish every week, the software assigns the value

of zero to the variable Omega-3 Fish Oil [133] and then causes the output device to print or display the fact that the consumer consumes fish every week and a

recommended dose of zero milligrams of Omega-3 fish oil for that condition [134],

The software next determines whether the consumer consumes meat every day [135]. If the consumer has responded to the question "daily meat consumption

(Y/N)?" with an affirmative answer, the software assigns the variable "Garlic" the

value of 250 (milligrams) [136] and adds the value of the variable Garlic to the

variable "Total Garlic" [137]. The software then causes the output device to print or display the fact that the consumer consumes meat every day and the recommended daily dose of Garlic [138]. (Garlic is an herb recommended for persons who consume meat every day.) If the consumer does not consume meat every day, the software assigns the value of zero to the variable Garlic [139] and then causes the output device to print or display the fact that the consumer does not consume meat every day and a

recommended dose of zero milligrams of Garlic for that condition [140]. The software next (FIG. 8) determines whether the consumer has a high level of stress [141]. If the consumer has responded to the question "rate your stress level (1 - 10)?" with an answer equal to or greater than five (the higher the number, the

higher the level of stress), the software assigns the variable "St. John's Wort" the value of 250 (milligrams) [142] and causes the output device to print or display the

consumer's reported level of stress and the recommended daily dose of 250 milligrams of St. John's Wort for that condition [142a]. (St. John's Wort is an herb

recommended for persons who have elevated stress levels.) The value of the variable St. John's Wort is added to the variable "Total St. John's Wort" [143]. The value of

the variable Total St. John's Wort was initially set to zero [144]. If the consumer does not have a reported stress level equal to or greater than

five, the software assigns the value of zero to the variable St. John's Wort [145] and

then causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported stress level

and a recommended dose of zero milligrams of St. John's Wort for that condition [146]. The software next determines whether the consumer has a good mood level

[147]. If the consumer has responded to the question "rate your mood level (1 - 10)?"

with an answer equal to or greater than five (the higher the number, the worse the

mood), the software assigns the variable "St. John's Wort" the value of 250

(milligrams) and the variable "Tocotrienol Complex" the value of 10 (milligrams) [148] and causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported mood level and the recommended daily dose of 250 milligrams of St. John's Wort and 10 milligrams of Tocotrienol Complex for that condition [149]. (St. John's Wort is an herb and Tocotrienol Complex is a food supplement recommended for persons who have elevated negative mood levels.) The value of the variable St. John's Wort is

added to the variable "Total St. John's Wort" [150] and the software causes the output device to display or print the recommended total daily dose of St. John's Wort recommended for consumption by the consumer [151].

If the consumer does not have a reported mood level equal to or greater than

five, the software assigns the value of zero to the variable St. John's Wort and to the variable Tocotrienol Complex [152] and then causes the output device to print or

display the consumer's reported mood level and a recommended dose of zero

milligrams of St. John's Wort and zero milligrams of Tocotrienol Complex for that

condition [153], The software next determines whether the consumer has a good energy level

[154]. If the consumer has responded to the question "rate your energy level (1 - 10)?" with an answer less than five (the lower the number, the lower the energy level),

the software assigns the variable "Guarana" the value of 250 (milligrams) [155] and

causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported energy level and

the recommended daily dose of 250 milligrams of Guarana for that condition [156].

(Guarana is an herb recommended for persons who have a low energy level.)

If the consumer has a reported energy level equal to or greater than five, the

software assigns the value of zero to the variable Guarana [157] and then causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported energy level and a recommended dose of zero milligrams of Guarana for that condition [158].

The software next (FIG. 9) determines whether the consumer has a good memory level [159]. If the consumer has responded to the question "rate your memory level (1 - 10)?" with an answer less than five (the lower the number, the lower the memory level), the software assigns the variable "Gingko Biloba" the value of 60

(milligrams) [160] and causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported memory level and the recommended daily dose of 60 milligrams of Gingko Biloba for that condition [161]. (Ginkgo biloba is an herb recommended for persons who have memory problems.) If the consumer has a reported memory level equal to or greater than five, the software assigns the value of zero to the variable Gingko Biloba [162] and then causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported memory level and a recommended dose of zero milligrams of Gingko Biloba for that condition [163].

The software next determines whether the consumer has a good concentration level [164]. If the consumer has responded to the question "rate your concentration level (1 - 10)?" with an answer less than five (the lower the number, the lower the concentration level), the software assigns the variable "Phosphatidylserine" the value of 100 (milligrams) [165] and causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported concentration level and the recommended daily dose of 100 milligrams of Phosphatidylserine for that condition [166]. (Phosphatidylserine is a food supplement recommended for persons who have a low concentration level.)

If the consumer has a reported concentration level equal to or greater than five, the software assigns the value of zero to the variable Phosphatidylserine [167] and then causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported concentration level and a recommended dose of zero milligrams of Phosphatidylserine for that condition [168].

The software next determines whether the consumer has difficulty with sleeping [169]. If the consumer has responded to the question "do you have difficulty falling asleep?" with an affirmative answer, the software assigns the variable

"Melatonin" the value of 3 (micrograms) and the variable Valerian Root the value of 250 (micrograms) [170] and causes the output device to print or display the

consumer's reported difficulty falling asleep and the recommended daily dose of 3 micrograms of Melatonin and 250 micrograms of Valerian Root for that condition

[1 1]. (Melatonin is a hormone and Valerian Root is an herb recommended for persons who have difficulty falling asleep.)

If the consumer has not reported difficulty falling asleep, the software assigns

the value of zero to the variables Melatonin and Valerian Root [172] and then causes

the output device to print or display the consumer's reported ability to fall asleep and a recommended dose of zero micrograms of Melatonin and of Valerian Root for that condition [173],

The software next (FIG. 10) determines whether the consumer has frequent

headaches [174]. If the consumer has responded to the question "do you have

frequent headaches (Y/N)? " with an affirmative answer, the software assigns the

variable "Feverfew" the value of 50 (milligrams) [175] and causes the output device to

print or display the consumer's reported frequent headaches and the recommended daily dose of 50 milligrams of Feverfew for that condition [176]. (Feverfew is an herb recommended for persons who have frequent headaches.) If the consumer has not reported frequent headaches, the software assigns the value of zero to the variable Feverfew [177] and then causes the output device to print

or display the consumer's reported lack of frequent headaches and a recommended dose of zero milligrams of Feverfew for that condition [178].

The software next determines whether the consumer uses antibiotics regularly

[179]. If the consumer has responded to the question "do you use antibiotics regularly

(Y/N)?" with an affirmative answer, the software assigns the variable "Acidophilus" the value of 50 (milligrams) [180] and causes the output device to print or display the

consumer's reported regular us of antibiotics and the recommended daily dose of 50

milligrams of Acidophilus for that condition [181]. (Acidophilus is a food supplement found in yoghurt that is recommended for persons who regularly use antibiotics.)

If the consumer has not reported regular use of antibiotics, the software assigns

the value of zero to the variable Acidophilus [182] and then causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported absence of regular use of antibiotics and a

recommended dose of zero milligrams of Acidophilus for that condition [183].

The software next determines whether the consumer has 20/20 vision [184]. If

the consumer has responded to the question "do you have 20/20 vision (Y/N)?" with a

negative answer, the software assigns the variable "Bilberry Extract" the value of 60 (milligrams) and the variable "Eyebright" the value of 400 (milligrams) [185] and causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported lack of 20/20

vision and the recommended daily dose of 60 milligrams of Bilberry Extract and 400

milligrams of eyebright for that condition [186]. (Bilberry Extract and Eyebright are

herbs recommended for persons with poor vision.) If the consumer has not reported less than 20/20 vision, the software assigns the value of zero to the variables Bilberry Extract and Eyebright [187] and then causes

the output device to print or display the consumer's reported good vision and a recommended dose of zero milligrams of Bilberry Extract and Eyebright for that condition [188].

The software next (FIG. 11) determines whether the consumer has frequent indigestion or heartburn [189]. If the consumer has responded to the question "do you

have frequent indigestion or heartburn (Y/N)?" with an affirmative answer, the

software assigns the variable "Licorice Extract" the value of 50 (milligrams) [190] and causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported frequent indigestion or heartburn and the recommended daily dose of 50 milligrams of Licorice

Extract for that condition [191]. (Licorice Extract is an herb recommended for

persons who have frequent indigestion or heartburn.)

If the consumer has not reported frequent indigestion or heartburn, the

software assigns the value of zero to the variable Licorice Extract [192] and then causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported absence of

frequent indigestion or heartburn and a recommended dose of zero milligrams of

Licorice Extract for that condition [193].

The software next determines whether the consumer has varicose veins [194]. If the consumer has responded to the question "do you have varicose veins (Y/N)?"

with an affirmative answer, the software assigns the variable "Grape Seed Extract" the

value of 50 (micrograms) [195] and causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported varicose veins and the recommended daily dose of 50 micrograms

of Grape Seed Extract for that condition [196]. (Grape Seed Extract is a food supplement recommended for persons who have varicose veins.) The software adds the value of the variable Grape Seed Extract to the variable Total Grape Seed Extract [197] and causes the software to print or display the value of the variable Total Grape Seed Extract [198].

If the consumer has not reported having varicose veins, the software assigns the value of zero to the variable Grape Seed Extract [199] and then causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported absence of varicose veins and a recommended dose of zero micrograms of Grape Seed Extract for that condition

[200].

The software then determines whether the consumer is female [201]. If the

consumer's answer to the question "are you female?" is negative, the software will branch off to a series of steps that concern only consumers of the male sex [203]. An

affirmative answer will direct the software to a series of additional steps involving only consumers of the female sex, starting with the determination of whether the consumer

suffers from premenstrual syndrome ("PMS") [202].

If the consumer has responded to the question "PMS (Y/N)?" with an affirmative answer, the software assigns the variable "Calcium" the value of 1200

(milligrams) [204] and causes the output device to print or display the consumer's

reported PMS and the recommended daily dose of 1200 milligrams of calcium

supplement for that condition [204a]. (Calcium supplement is a mineral recommended

for persons who have PMS.) The software adds the value of the variable Calcium to

the variable Total Calcium [205] and causes the software to print or display the value

of the variable Total Calcium [206]. If the consumer has not reported having PMS,

the software assigns the value of zero to the variable Calcium [207] and then causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported absence of PMS and a recommended dose of zero milligrams of calcium supplement for that condition [208].

The software next (FIG. 12) determines whether the consumer suffers from hot flashes [209]. If the consumer has responded to the question "hot flashes (Y/N)?" with an affirmative answer, the software assigns the variable "Wild Yam Extract" the value of 400 (milligrams) and the variable "Evening Primrose Oil" the value of 500 (milligrams) [210]. The software then causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported hot flashes and the recommended daily dose of 400 milligrams of Wild Yam Extract and 500 milligrams of Evening Primrose Oil for that condition [210]. (Wild Yam Extract and Evening Primrose Oil are herbs recommended for women who have hot flashes.)

If the consumer has not reported experiencing hot flashes, the software assigns the value of zero to the variables Wild Yam Extract and Evening Primrose Oil [212] and then causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported absence of hot flashes and a recommended dose of zero milligrams of Wild Yam Extract and

Evening Primrose Oil [213].

The software next determines whether the consumer has frequent bladder infections [214]. If the consumer has responded to the question "frequent bladder

infection (Y/N)?" with an affirmative answer, the software assigns the variable "Cranberry Concentrate" the value of 800 (milligrams) [215] and causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported frequent bladder infections and the recommended daily dose of 800 milligrams of Cranberry Concentrate for that condition [216]. (Cranberry Concentrate is a food supplement recommended for women who have frequent bladder infections.) If the consumer has not reported frequent bladder infections, the software assigns the value of zero to the variable Cranberry Concentrate [217] and then causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported absence of frequent bladder infections and a recommended dose of zero milligrams of Cranberry Concentrate for that condition [218]. The software next determines whether the consumer is pregnant [219]. If the consumer has responded to the question "pregnant (Y/N)?" with an affirmative answer, the software assigns the variable "Folic Acid" the value of 200 (micrograms) [220] and causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported pregnancy and the recommended daily dose of 200 micrograms of Folic Acid for that condition [220a]. (Folic Acid is a vitamin recommended for women who are pregnant.) The software adds the value of the variable Folic Acid to the variable "Total Folic Acid" [222]. The variable Total Folic Acid was initially set to be zero [221]. The software then causes the output device to print or display the value of the variable Total Folic Acid. If the consumer has not reported being pregnant, the software assigns the value of zero to the variable Folic Acid [224] and then causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported absence of pregnancy and a recommended dose of zero micrograms of Folic Acid for that condition [225].

The software next (FIG. 13) determines whether the consumer uses birth control pills [226]. If the consumer has responded to the question "do you use birth control pills (Y/N)?" with an affirmative answer, the software assigns the variable "Flaxseed Oil" the value of one (1) (teaspoon) [227] and causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported use of birth control pills and the recommended daily dose of one (1) teaspoon of Flaxseed Oil for that condition [227a]. (Flaxseed Oil is an herb extract recommended for women who use birth control pills.) The software adds the value of the variable Flaxseed Oil to the variable "Total Flaxseed Oil" [228]. The variable Total Flaxseed Oil was initially set to be one (1) teaspoon [229]. The software then causes the output device to print or display the value of the variable Total Flaxseed Oil.

If the consumer has not reported using birth control pills, the software assigns

the value of zero to the variable Flaxseed Oil [231] and then causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported lack of use of birth control pills and a recommended dose of zero teaspoons of Flaxseed Oil for that condition [232].

The software next determines whether the consumer has a satisfactory level of

sexual desire [233]. If the consumer has responded to the question "are you

comfortable with your desire level (Y/N)?" with a negative answer, the software

assigns the variable "Damiana" the value of 500 (milligrams) [234] and causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported lack of a comfortable level of desire and the recommended daily dose of 500 milligrams of Damiana for that

condition [235]. (Damiana is an herb recommended for women who are lacking a

comfortable level of desire.)

If the consumer has not reported a lack of a comfortable level of desire by

responding in the affirmative to the question set forth above, the software assigns the

value of zero to the variable Damiana [236] and then causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported satisfaction with her level of desire and a

recommended dose of zero milligrams of Damiana for that condition [237].

The software next determines whether the consumer has heathy skin and hair

[238]. If the consumer has responded to the question "do you have healthy skin and hair (Y/N)?" with a negative answer, the software assigns the variable "Biotin" the value of 25 (micrograms) [239] and causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported lack of healthy skin and hair and the recommended daily dose of

25 micrograms of Biotin for that condition [240]. (Biotin is a vitamin recommended for women who do not have healthy skin and hair.) The software adds the value of the variable Biotin to the variable "Total Biotin" [241]. The variable Total Biotin was initially set to be 100 [242].

If the consumer has reported having healthy skin and hair by answering the question given above in the affirmative, the software assigns the value of zero to the variable Biotin [243] and then causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported possession of healthy skin and hair and a recommended dose of zero micrograms of Biotin for that condition [244].

The following describes the additional steps followed for male consumers. The software follows these steps when it determines that the consumer is a male [203]. The software next (FIG. 14) determines whether the consumer has prostate problems

[250]. If the consumer has responded to the question "do you have prostrate problems (Y/N)?" with an affirmative answer, the software assigns the variable "Saw Palmetto" the value of 250 (milligrams) [251] and the variable "Pygeum Extract" the value of 50 (milligrams). The software then causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported presence of prostrate problems and the recommended daily dose of 250 milligrams of Saw Palmetto and 50 milligrams of Pygeum Extract for that condition [252]. (Saw Palmetto and Pygeum Extract are herbs recommended for men who have prostrate problems and help maintain the health of the prostrate gland.) If the consumer has not reported any prostrate problems by responding in the negative to the question set forth above, the software assigns the value of zero to the variables Saw Palmetto and Pygeum Extract [253] and then causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported lack of prostrate problems and a recommended dose of zero milligrams of Saw Palmetto and Pygeum Extract for that condition [254].

The software next determines whether the consumer has difficulty with achieving or maintaining erections [255]. If the consumer has responded to the question "do you have difficulty achieving or maintaining erections (Y/N)?" with an affirmative answer, the software assigns the variable "Zinc" the value of 15

(milligrams) and the variable "Vitamin E" the value of 400 (LU.) [256]. The software then adds the value of the variable Zinc to the value of the variable Total Zinc [259] that had initially been set to 15 [260] and causes the output device to print or display the value of the variable Total Zinc [261]. The software also adds the value of the variable Vitamin E to the value of the variable Total Vitamin E [257] and causes the output device to print or display the value of the variable Total Vitamin E [258]. (Zinc is a mineral and Vitamin E is a vitamin recommended for men who have erectile dysfunction.) The software also causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported possession of erection difficulties. If the consumer has reported having no erection difficulties by answering the question given above in the negative, the software assigns the value of zero to the variables Zinc and Vitamin E [262] and then causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported lack of erection problems and a recommended dose of zero milligrams of Zinc and Vitamin E for that condition [263]. The software next (FIG. 15) determines whether the consumer has a satisfactory level of sexual desire [264]. If the consumer has responded to the question "are you comfortable with your desire level (Y/N)?" with a negative answer, the software assigns the variable "Wild Oat Extract" the value of 200 (milligrams) [265] and causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported lack of a comfortable level of desire and the recommended daily dose of 200 milligrams of Wild Oat Extract for that condition [265]. (Wild Oat Extract is an herb recommended for men who are not experiencing a comfortable level of desire.)

If the consumer has not reported a lack of a comfortable level of desire by responding in the affirmative to the question set forth above, the software assigns the value of zero to the variable Wild Oat Extract [267] and then causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported satisfaction with his level of desire and a recommended dose of zero milligrams of Wild Oat Extract for that condition [268].

The software next determines whether the consumer has difficulty with ejaculation [269]. If the consumer has responded to the question "do you have difficulty ejaculating (Y/N)?" with an affirmative answer, the software assigns the variable "Smilax-Ginseng-Damiana Complex" the value of 400 (milligrams) [270] and causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported difficulty with ejaculation and the recommended daily dose of 400 milligrams of Smilax-Ginseng- Damiana complex for that condition [271]. (Smilax-Ginseng-Damiana complex is an herbal combination recommended for men who are experiencing difficulty with ejaculation.)

If the consumer has not reported any difficulty with ejaculation by responding in the negative to the question set forth above, the software assigns the value of zero to the variable Smilax-Ginseng-Damiana Complex [272] and then causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported lack of ejaculation difficulty and a recommended dose of zero milligrams of Smilax-Ginseng-Damiana complex for that condition [273]. The software next (FIG. 16) determines whether the consumer has heathy skin and hair [274]. If the consumer has responded to the question "do you have healthy skin and hair (Y/N)?" with a negative answer, the software assigns the variable "Biotin" the value of 50 (micrograms) [275]. and causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported lack of healthy skin and hair and the recommended daily dose of 50 micrograms of Biotin for that condition [276]. (Biotin is a vitamin recommended for men who do not have healthy skin and hair. Men require twice as much Biotin as women for this condition.) The software adds the value of the variable Biotin to the variable "Total Biotin" [276]. The variable Total Biotin was initially set to be 100 [242]. The software then causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported lack of healthy skin and hair and the value of the variable Total

Biotin [277].

If the consumer has reported having healthy skin and hair by answering the question given above in the affirmative, the software assigns the value of zero to the variable Biotin [278] and then causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported possession of healthy skin and hair and a recommended dose of zero micrograms of Biotin for that condition [279].

The software next determines whether the consumer is satisfied with his overall sex life [280]. If the consumer has responded to the question "are you satisfied with

your overall sex life (Y/N)?" with a negative answer, the software assigns the variable "Ginseng" the value of 250 (milligrams) [281] and causes the output device to print or display the consumer's reported dissatisfaction with his overall sex life and the recommended daily dose of 250 milligrams of Ginseng for that condition [282].

(Ginseng is an herb recommended for men who are not satisfied with their overall sex life.)

If the consumer has not reported dissatisfaction with his overall sex life by responding in the negative to the question set forth above, the software assigns the value of zero to the variable Ginseng [283] and then causes the output device to print

or display the consumer's reported satisfaction with his overall sex life and a

recommended dose of zero milligrams of Ginseng for that condition [284].

Preferably, the software will cause the output device to print or otherwise display a list of the consumer's various conditions and the supplemental vitamins and

minerals, herbs, hormones, and food supplements recommended for those specific

conditions, followed by a list of the totals of all recommended supplements, which will include supplements recommended for periodic consumption by consumers even if the consumers do not have a specific condition. For example, a minimum supplement of

200 milligrams of potassium is recommended for daily consumption even if the

consumer does not have a high blood pressure ratio. The list of totals preferably will

also include supplements recommended for periodic consumption by consumers even if

the supplements are not recommended to benefit specific conditions. An example of such a supplement in the context of the software described above is Vitamin D.

Although I have fully described preferred embodiments of my invention with

reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and

modifications are apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the specific questions, the form of these questions, and the amounts of recommended supplements, including the specific amounts and kinds of recommended supplemental vitamins and minerals, herbs, hormones, and food supplements, may be varied. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims set forth below.

Claims

I claim:

1. A method for determining a regimen of supplements for ingestion by a person, comprising: obtaining information concerning the condition of the person; evaluating the information concerning the condition of the person according to preselected rules responsive to the information concerning the condition of the person in order to determine recommendations for supplements to be consumed by the person in order to benefit the person's condition; generating a list of supplements that should be consumed by the person; and displaying the list.

2. The method according to claim 1 in which the step of obtaining information comprises establishing a plurality of kinds of information concerning the physical and/or mental condition of the person, preparing a questionnaire comprising a set of questions concerning the kinds of information concerning the physical and/or mental condition of the person wherein the questions are subject to score box responses of the character of yes, no, or answered by a character according to a graduated scale, and subjecting the questionnaire to responses by the person and preserving the responses thereto.

3. The method according to claim 2 in which the kinds of information include any or all of the following: age, sex, blood type, weight, height, blood pressure, tobacco usage, alcohol usage, allergies, colds per year, cholesterol level, caffeine usage, aspirin use, hay fever, family heart disease history, hemorrhoids, constipation, arthritis, painful joints, daily dairy product consumption, daily cruciferous vegetable consumption, daily citrus fruit consumption, weekly fish consumption, daily meat consumption, stress level, mood level, energy level, memory level, concentration level, difficulty falling asleep, frequency of headaches, use of antibiotics, vision, indigestion, heartburn, and varicose veins.

4. The method according to claim 3 in which the kinds of information, if the person is female, include any or all of the following: having PMS, hot flashes, frequent bladder infection, pregnancy, use of birth control pills, level of sexual desire, and health of skin and hair.

5. The method according to claim 3 in which the kinds of information, if the person is male, include any or all of the following: having prostate problems, erection difficulty, level of sexual desire, difficulty of ejaculation, health of skin and hair, and satisfaction with overall sex life.

6. The method according to claim 2 further comprising storing the responses to the questionnaire in a computer-readable memory.

7. The method according to claim 6 in which the step of evaluating the information concerning the condition of the person comprises the analysis of the stored responses to the questionnaire by a software program running in a computer accessing the computer-readable memory.

8. The method according to claim 7 in which the software program applies the

preselected rules to the stored responses and thereby assigns values to a plurality of variables, each variable corresponding to a supplement.

9. The method according to claim 8 in which the values of the variables correspond to recommended periodic doses of the corresponding supplements for benefitting a particular condition of the person.

10. The method according to claim 9 further comprising a plurality of total amount variables for which the values consist of the accumulated values of a variables corresponding to supplements.

11. The method according to claim 10 in which the values of the variables are

stored.

12. The method according to claim 11 in which the step of generating a list of

supplements comprises reading the values of the variables corresponding to

supplements.

13. The method according to claim 12 in which the step of displaying the list

comprises providing the values of variables corresponding to supplements

recommended for particular conditions of the person and the identity of those supplements and further comprises stating the corresponding conditions.

14. The method according to claim 12 in which the step of displaying the list comprises providing the values of the total amount variables and the identity of the corresponding supplements.

15. A computer system for evaluating the personal characteristics of a human being

and determining a regimen of supplements for that human being, comprising: a computer having a memory;

an input device for storing information concerning the condition of the human being into the memory;

an application program for execution in the computer in order to apply

preselected rules to the information stored in the memory in order to generate a set of

recommendations for supplements to be ingested by the human being in order to improve the human being's condition; and an output device for displaying the recommendations.

16. The system according to claim 15 in which the input device scans a

questionnaire answered by the human being in order to obtain the information for

storing in the memory.

17. The system according to claim 15 in which the preselected rules applied by the

program assign values to variables corresponding to one or more supplements.

18. The system according to claim 17 in which the output device displays the

amounts of the variables corresponding to a plurality of supplements.

19. A computer-readable memory storing a program for execution on a data- processing system, wherein the program may be executed by the data processing system in order to evaluate a consumer's answers to health related questions and generate a list of supplements for ingestion by the consumer.

20. The computer-readable memory in which the stored program refers to rules for assigning values to variables corresponding to supplements based upon the consumer's answers.