U.S. patent application number 11/467934 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-08 for nutritional optimization system and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to SMEATON PUMP LLC. Invention is credited to Andrew J. Szabo.
Application Number | 20070055551 11/467934 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24694422 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070055551 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Szabo; Andrew J. |
March 8, 2007 |
NUTRITIONAL OPTIMIZATION SYSTEM AND METHOD
Abstract
A method and system for proposing nutritional supplementation
for a person comprising the steps of receiving personal
information, e.g., relating to health and diet, about the person,
determining a health model for the person, determining an effect on
the health model for at least two nutritional supplements,
optimizing a proposed nutritional supplementation for the person
based on the personal information about the person and effect for
the at least two nutritional supplements, health model, and
outputting a proposed nutritional supplementation including amounts
of the at least two nutritional supplements. The system may also
receive economic considerations, e.g., a budget, for the
nutritional supplementation, and further optimize the nutritional
supplementation based on the economic considerations.
Inventors: |
Szabo; Andrew J.; (Cos Cob,
CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MILDE & HOFFBERG, LLP
10 BANK STREET
SUITE 460
WHITE PLAINS
NY
10606
US
|
Assignee: |
SMEATON PUMP LLC
171 Main St. #271
Los Altos
CA
|
Family ID: |
24694422 |
Appl. No.: |
11/467934 |
Filed: |
August 29, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09400649 |
Sep 21, 1999 |
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11467934 |
Aug 29, 2006 |
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08671413 |
Jun 27, 1996 |
5954640 |
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09400649 |
Sep 21, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G16H 10/60 20180101;
Y10S 128/921 20130101; G16H 20/60 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/003 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 50/00 20070101
G06Q050/00 |
Claims
1. A method for outputting a set of records, comprising the steps
of: (a) defining a user characteristic; (b) classifying the user
based on the defined user characteristic; (c) receiving a
specification from the user for a class of information relating to
a plurality of records; (d) determining economic parameters for
each of the plurality of records; and (e) optimizing a presented
set of records based on the determined economic parameters and the
defined user characteristic.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the defined user
characteristic comprises a population grouping.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of
records relates to nutritional supplementation for a person.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the user characteristic
relates to health and nutritional information.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the presented set of
records relates to health and nutritional information.
6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of
determining a risk tolerance of the user and further optimizing the
presented set of records to achieve a maximum benefit within the
determined risk tolerance.
7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of
analyzing the presented set of records for safety to the user.
8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of
receiving feedback from the user relating to the presented set of
records and re-optimizing the presented set of records to generate
a revised presented set of records.
9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising repeating
the re-optimization as many times as the user provides
feedback.
10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determined
economic parameters comprise a budget.
11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of
records is in a stored database.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the database is
remote from the user.
13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps
of providing a plurality of optimization procedures and selecting
at least one of the optimization procedures for optimizing a
presented set of records for the user.
14. A method for presenting records to a user, comprising the steps
of: (a) receiving an input from the user; (b) defining a subset of
records selected from an electronic database containing a set of
records, based on an information content of a respective record and
the user input; (c) quantifying a risk associated with reliance on
an information content of a respective record; (d) determining
economic parameters associated with the subset of records; and (e)
presenting the subset of records automatically jointly optimized
based on the determined economic parameters, and the quantified
risk associated with the selected record.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the user input
comprises health information.
16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the user input
comprises a risk tolerance.
17. The method according to claim 14, wherein a user interface is
provided to assist the user in making selections.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the economic
parameters correspond to a cost associated with a respective
selected record.
19. The method according to claim 14, wherein the input comprises a
semantic expression.
20. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the steps
of determining a user preference and further optimizing the
presented set of records based on the determined user
preference.
21. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the steps
of receiving feedback from the user relating to the presented set
of records and re-optimizing the presented set of records to
generate a revised presented set of records.
22. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the steps
of providing a plurality of optimization procedures and selecting
at least one of the optimization procedures for optimizing a
presented set of records for the user.
23. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step
of transacting a sale relating to a subject of at least one
presented set of records with the person.
24. The method according to claim 23, wherein said sale comprises
an electronic data transmission between a client system and a
server system.
25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the electronic data
transmission between the client system and the server system is
carried over the Internet.
26. A computer readable medium having recorded thereon a series of
computer implemented instructions for controlling a computer to
execute the method according to claim 14.
27. The medium according to claim 26, further comprising the steps
of generating a graphic user interface and interacting with the
user through the graphic user interface.
28. An apparatus for outputting a set of records, comprising: (a)
an input defining a user characteristic; (b) classifying the user
based on the defined user characteristic; (c) receiving a
specification from the user for a class of information relating to
a plurality of records; (d) determining economic parameters for
each of the plurality of records; and (e) optimizing a presented
set of records based on the determined economic parameters and the
defined user characteristic.
29. A method for presenting records to a user, comprising the steps
of: (a) determining a user characteristic of the user; (b) defining
a set of records based on a classification of information
therewithin; (c) determining economic parameters for each of the
set of records; and (d) presenting the set of records optimized
based on the determined economic parameters and the defined user
characteristic.
30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the user
characteristic comprises health information.
31. The method according to claim 29, wherein the user
characteristic comprises a nutritional status.
32. The method according to claim 29, wherein each record
corresponds to a respective nutritional supplement.
33. The method according to claim 32, wherein the economic
parameters correspond to a cost of a respective nutritional
supplement.
34. The method according to claim 29, wherein said presenting
comprises outputting a sorted list of the set of records having an
order dependent on the determined economic parameters and the
defined user characteristic.
35. The method according to claim 29, wherein the user
characteristic comprises a population grouping.
36. The method according to claim 29, further comprising the steps
of determining a risk tolerance of the user and further optimizing
the presented set of records based on the determined risk
tolerance.
37. The method according to claim 29, further comprising the steps
of receiving feedback from the user relating to the presented set
of records and re-optimizing the presented set of records to
generate a revised presented set of records.
38. The method according to claim 29, further comprising the steps
of providing a plurality of optimization procedures and selecting
at least one of the optimization procedures for optimizing a
presented set of records for the user.
39. The method according to claim 29, further comprising the step
of transacting a sale of at least one presented set of records with
the person.
40. The method according to claim 39, wherein said sale comprises
an electronic data transmission between a client system and a
server system.
41. The method according to claim 40, wherein the electronic data
transmission between the client system and the server system is
carried over the Internet.
42. A computer readable medium having recorded thereon a series of
computer implemented instructions for controlling a computer to
execute the method according to claim 29.
43. The medium according to claim 42, further comprising the steps
of generating a graphic user interface and interacting with the
user through the graphic user interface.
44. A method for presenting records to a user, comprising the steps
of: (a) determining a user relevance parameter; (b) defining a set
of records based on a classification of information therewithin;
(c) determining economic parameters for each of the set of records;
and (d) presenting the set of records optimized based on the
determined economic parameters and the determined relevance
parameter.
45. The method according to claim 44, wherein the user
characteristic comprises health information.
46. The method according to claim 44, wherein the user
characteristic comprises a nutritional status.
47. The method according to claim 44, wherein each record
corresponds to a respective nutritional supplement.
48. The method according to claim 47, wherein the economic
parameters correspond to a cost of a respective nutritional
supplement.
49. The method according to claim 44, wherein said presenting
comprises outputting a sorted list of the set of records having an
order dependent on the determined economic parameters and the
defined user characteristic.
50. The method according to claim 44, wherein the user
characteristic comprises a population grouping.
51. The method according to claim 44, further comprising the steps
of determining a risk tolerance of the user and further optimizing
the presented set of records based on the determined risk
tolerance.
52. The method according to claim 44, further comprising the steps
of receiving feedback from the user relating to the presented set
of records and re-optimizing the presented set of records to
generate a revised presented set of records.
53. The method according to claim 44, further comprising the steps
of providing a plurality of optimization procedures and selecting
at least one of the optimization procedures for optimizing a
presented set of records for the user.
54. The method according to claim 44, further comprising the step
of transacting a sale of at least one presented set of records with
the person.
55. The method according to claim 54, wherein said sale comprises
an electronic data transmission between a client system and a
server system.
56. The method according to claim 55, wherein the electronic data
transmission between the client system and the server system is
carried over the Internet.
57. A computer readable medium having recorded thereon a series of
computer implemented instructions for controlling a computer to
execute the method according to claim 44.
58. The medium according to claim 57, further comprising the steps
of generating a graphic user interface and interacting with the
user through the graphic user interface.
59. A method for outputting a set of records, comprising the steps
of: (a) receiving a specification from the user for a class of
information relating to a plurality of records, said plurality of
records having associated economic parameters; (b) determining a
relevance parameter; and (c) optimizing a presented ranking of the
records based on the economic parameters and the relevance
parameter.
60. The method according to claim 59, wherein the defined user
characteristic comprises a population grouping.
61. The method according to claim 59, further comprising the steps
of providing a plurality of optimization procedures and selecting
at least one of the optimization procedures for optimizing a
presented set of records for the user.
62. The method according to claim 59, further comprising the steps
of providing a plurality of relevance profiles, and selecting a
relevance profile to define the relevance parameter.
63. The method according to claim 59, further comprising the step
of transacting a sale of at least one record with the user.
64. The method according to claim 59, further comprising the steps
of providing a client terminal having an interface for the user,
providing a server for receiving information from the user and
generating the presented ranked records, and communicating between
the client terminal and server over a computer network.
65. A computer readable medium having recorded thereon a series of
computer implemented instructions for controlling a computer to
execute the method according to claim 59.
66. The medium according to claim 65, further comprising the steps
of generating a graphic user interface and interacting with the
person through the graphic user interface.
67. A method of producing a ranked set of results for a user
inquiry, comprising the steps of: (a) determining a set of
characteristics for a class of users; (b) classifying a user with
respect to the class based on a user characteristic; (c) receiving
an inquiry from the user; (d) producing a set of responses to the
inquiry, at least one response having an associated economic
parameter; and (e) ranking a set of query results based on the set
of characteristics and economic parameter.
68. The method according to claim 67, further comprising providing
a plurality of classes, wherein said classifying step comprises
classifying the user within a single class.
69. The method according to claim 67, wherein the economic
parameter comprises a price.
70. The method according to claim 67, wherein the ranking gives
preference to relevant and economically feasible results.
71. The method according to claim 67, wherein the economic
parameter is defined for the user.
72. The method according to claim 67, wherein the user
characteristic is defined by the user.
73. The method according to claim 67, wherein the user
characteristic is determined automatically.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of nutritional
optimization systems and methods, as well as to apparatus for the
analysis, storage and retrieval of nutritional optimization data
and a system for delivering a nutritionally optimized product.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is well known in the art to analyze a diet of a mammal
for typical macronutrients, such as carbohydrates, fiber, fat,
protein, major vitamins and minerals. In fact, there is a well
developed field of nutrition which seeks to employ medical and
public health principles to determine an "optimal" diet. Further,
total parenteral nutrition is known, wherein foods are determined
and administered to a patient, often in a controlled environment.
Infant formulas are also a known area of economic and dietary
optimization based on public health and medical considerations.
[0003] Multivitamins are known, wherein a mixture of vitamins,
minerals and cofactors are provided in a convenient dosage form.
The levels of components are generally selected to be a significant
portion of a recommended daily allowance (RDA) and up to about ten
times the RDA. These multivitamins, however, are available in
limited varieties, e.g., children's, women's, men's, and senior
citizen's.
[0004] Of particular import in these many known systems is that
these systems are not open to unknown or conjectural nutritional
effects of components. Thus, if the effect of a component is not
specifically known, these systems have no way to scientifically
analyze its inclusion in a proposed optimized diet.
[0005] A known system, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,478,989,
incorporated herein by reference, provides a computerized shopping
cart for a supermarket which includes a bar code scanner, allowing
typical UPC codes on food packaging to be read. A database of
information about the food item may then be recalled, which may
include labeling information. The consumer inputs personal
information, and the retrieved information is presented in relation
to the personal information of the consumer. This system, however,
does not include an economic model, and does not relate to
nutritional supplements for which no medical benefits are claimed.
Further, this system does not make proposals, but rather returns
processed information based on an input representing an item and
the personal information.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides an optimization of
nutritional supplementation based on models, which allow prediction
of a change in health from an existing status based on
administration of a plurality of nutritional supplements. Relevant
to various aspects of the invention are activity of each
nutritional supplement, desired change in status, toxicity and
adverse effects of nutritional supplements, interactions between
nutritional supplements and other factors, cost and economics of
the nutritional supplementation, and risk, both positive and
negative.
[0007] The present invention addresses the issue of nutritional
supplements of undetermined or equivocal value, and is thus not
limited to predictions of the effects of unequivocally proven
medical effects of supplements. In general, claims of medical
benefit are not made for nutritional supplements, with the
exception of known vitamins, minerals and bioavailable cofactors,
and there is little standardization for dosage and regimens. As
such, the database as to each of the factors in the optimization,
with the exception of cost, may be undetermined. Thus, in contrast
to known systems which operate on concrete data and established and
accepted principles, the system according to the present invention
operates to propose an optimization with incomplete or inconsistent
data.
[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is that the system
employs a model of health of a mammal which encompasses both
traditional nutritional analysis as well as unverified benefits of
nutritional supplements for which no official or universally
recognized standards are established. In fact, each individual may
select a particular health model to employ, which may be different
or even contradictory to other available or known health models.
Thus, the individual is allowed personal choice of the model
selected in the optimization.
[0009] A preferred embodiment of the invention employs an economic
optimization of nutritional supplementation. Therefore, in addition
to determining which nutritional supplements are appropriate, the
cost of each component or the proposed nutritional supplementation
as a whole is determined and used to achieve the maximum health
benefit for given economic factors, such as a budget. Therefore, as
a further aspect of this embodiment, the cost structure of
combination supplements and quantity discounts are considered. In
addition, third party health insurers or life insurers may provide
payments, co-insurance, discounts or rebates for the proposed
regimen.
[0010] While the present invention encompasses the tenets of
non-traditional medicine and nutritional supplementation, it does
not eschew traditional health schemes. Thus, known diagnostic,
analytic and prognostic indicators can be employed to determine an
optimization of nutritional supplementation for a given individual.
Further, certain patients are fragile, and therefore a risk of
health deterioration due to supposed nutritional health
optimization is considered. Therefore, an aggressive health
optimization may be proposed for a healthy young individual, while
a conservative approach may be proposed for an elderly patient with
various ailments.
[0011] Further, the present optimization may be cognizant of
medical, surgical or pharmaceutical treatments of a patient, and
determines or predicts any potential interactions between such
prescribed care and proposed supplementation in order to avoid
adverse interactions or detrimental effect on the treatment
regimen. Beneficial interactions are also cognized, and thus may be
used to increase efficacy or efficiency.
[0012] The present invention may also provide a temporal
optimization of nutritional supplementation, wherein diurnal,
weekly, monthly and/or seasonal or life-cycle variations are
considered and factored into the optimization scheme. Further, as a
part of the cost optimization, dosing schedules and component
half-lives may be considered in order to allow the most effective
and most convenient nutritional supplementation. For example, the
cost of a nutritional supplement generally is not solely related to
the amount of a nutritional component in the supplement, and higher
doses are generally less costly per unit than lower doses. On the
other hand, higher purity components may be more expensive per unit
dose, for example where the purification process is difficult. Such
higher purity dosage forms may be desirable, for example where the
impurities are harmful or have undesired effects, or where the
shear volume of nutritional supplement is undesired. Thus, the
proposed nutritional supplementation may include an analysis of
dosage forms.
[0013] As used herein, nutritional supplements include foods,
capsules, pills, powders, gums, and liquids, or other oral dosage
forms which include known or quantifiable nutrients. Also
encompassed are nutritional supplements delivered in any manner to
the digestive system or intravenously, as well as nutritional
supplements which are administered through other routes, such as
through mucous membranes.
[0014] Often, nutritional supplements are provided in a form which
includes excipients, impurities, or other components than the
denominated nutritional supplement component. Therefore, it is
another aspect according to the present invention to analyze, to
the extent possible, the nature of the nutritional impurities or
excipients, and include these components in the nutritional
optimization.
[0015] In general, as stated above, macronutrient (foodstuff)
optimizations are known, and the present invention may encompass
this aspect of nutritional optimization as well. Thus, for example,
an individual indicates his normal nutritional intake as an input
to the system, which is to be supplemented or modified. The result
of the optimization may therefore include a proposal to reduce
intake of a supplement, macronutrient or foodstuff, as well as
increasing or adding nutritional supplements.
[0016] The present system provides an individually tailored
proposal for nutritional supplementation or modification of intake.
Being a proposal, and given the nature of mandates of dietary
intake, the proposal may be accepted or rejected by the individual.
Therefore, another aspect of the invention involves an interactive
process for arriving at a proposal, as well as a correction of
optimization based on a deviation from a proposal. In this case,
the cost optimization and risk analysis potentially play an
important roles in a statistical analysis to arrive at a proposal.
Since it would be expected that, except in the case of total
parenteral nutrition, that no absolute dietary schedule will be
maintained, and further that it is primarily those individuals
whose diets are most aberrant initially who are recalcitrant to
change, the optimization proposal must include leeway for
deviations.
[0017] Therefore, one aspect of the invention provides an immediate
feedback of a proposed nutritional supplementation based on an
actual present status of a person, including recent meals and
nutritional supplements, activity, health status and prospective
events. This optimization may be provided through a hand held,
pocket or bracelet (watch-type) device, personal computer, personal
digital assistant (PDA), terminal to an on-line service, through
the Internet (e.g., through a server or as a Java application),
telephone with voice communication, kiosk, or centralized computer
system. Therefore, a full featured system may be used to define an
optimization, which may then be used to download an optimization to
a portable or remote device. The programmed optimization may then
be used to help keep the person "on track", and to report on an
actual pattern of activity, diet and nutritional supplementation.
While the portable or remote device may alter or reselect
optimization continuously or often, preferably the optimization is
performed infrequently, such as once per month.
[0018] Thus, a reoptimization may be performed periodically, e.g.,
monthly, or frequently, e.g., daily. The optimization procedure may
also be provided as major optimizations, in which substantial
changes to underlying models are implemented, and minor
optimizations, where perturbations from a desired health status are
corrected by nutritional supplementation according to a determined
model.
[0019] A preferred embodiment includes an economic optimization
because without this factor playing an explicit role, the "more is
better" theory may produce a proposal which is untenable. Known
systems which attempt to optimize nutrition perform economic
optimization in one of two ways. First, the public health model
selects cost levels designed to do the most good for the most
people. Some persons will receive a suboptimal dose, while others
will receive little incremental benefit or even suffer toxic
effects. Further, some persons will be asked to spend more than
reasonable, while others will have excess disposable funds without
guidance as to how these funds should best be employed. Thus, the
public health model does not account for an individual and his own
specific factors, including budget. Second, an incomplete or
limited economic analysis may be performed without the benefit of a
linked health model. For example, an individual who visits a health
food store and selects supplements performs a limited economic
model, e.g., "that costs too much", in the selection of items for
purchase. By linking the economic model with an individual health
model, the benefits of a personalized proposal at acceptable cost
is obtained. Further, by allowing a statistical error in the actual
diet as compared to the proposed diet, the optimization may produce
a better "real-world" result.
[0020] In operation, the system first obtains personal data about
an individual. This may be obtained through automated data
analysis, interview, survey, subjective analysis, laboratory
testing, and the like. A database is provided with information
about available nutritional supplements, including contents, price,
and dosage form. A further database includes information about
constituents of nutritional supplements. A system, preferably a
computerized algorithm, computes a health model of the individual
based on the input information, as well as a desired budget. This
model computes a present state of health, according to the
available information, and determines a desired state of health,
based on the maximum benefit for the available funds and the
available nutritional supplements.
[0021] The resulting nutritional supplements to reach the desired
state, along with suggested changes in the existing diet, comprise
the proposal. In appropriate circumstances, activity and exercise
may also be aspects of the proposal. The individual, however, need
not accept the proposal, and may thus interact with the system to
modify the proposal in specific aspects. These changes act as
constraints for a secondary modification of the proposal. For
example, a selected health model may suggest 300 mg of ascorbic
acid (vitamin C) per day, in three doses. However, the individual
may prefer 750 mg per day in three doses. Thus, the proposal is
then updated with 750 mg per day in three divided doses as a
constraint. The entire health model must be recomputed, based on
this constraint. In recomputing the model, the system further
determines whether this constraint implies that a different model
is more appropriate for implementation. In order to resolve this
issue, the individual may be queried to determine the reason for
the preference. If appropriate, hybrid models may be employed.
[0022] In theory, an economic based model may result in a highly
skewed proposal, with high doses of relatively cheap components and
without any expensive components. However, often, temperance and
variety are desired, and thus amounts of some nutritional
supplements are limited and others added, even though these result
in reduced benefits according to a strict scientific analysis.
Thus, a perceived benefit of a nutritional supplement may be in
excess of a rational analysis of the potential benefit. Thus, a
health model may include an analysis of a perceived benefit of a
component, rather than necessarily a scientific analysis. Further,
it is noted that, in accordance with the scientific method of
analysis of nutritional supplementation, studies may fail to show a
benefit or produce contradictory findings, even for nutritional
supplements of real value. For example, ginseng is believed by many
to be beneficial, but many scientific studies have failed to reveal
a health benefit. This does not mean, however, that the proposed
benefit of a component is not real, and therefore a model need not
be scientific. Another limitation of scientific methods is that
they emphasize dose-response relationships over balance. However, a
perception of an individual may be that supplementation of smaller
amounts of many different components is preferable to megadoses of
a small number of nutritional supplements.
[0023] A further aspect of the implementation of the present
invention includes an apparatus for formulating nutritional
supplements. Thus, based on the proposal, custom formulation may be
provided to an individual. Alternately, standard dosage forms may
be selected for the proposal.
[0024] A still further aspect of the invention provides a vending
machine or point of sale dispensing machine which formulates or
combines pre-prepared dosage forms of nutritional supplements based
on the proposed nutritional supplementation. Where the point of
sale dispensing machine is in a public location, a limited
interface may be provided, for example, a touchscreen and a
magnetic stripe or smart card interface. Thus, a person previously
registered with a central system may present to a kiosk or
free-standing machine, and be identified by a card, e.g., a credit
card or smart card. The card is used to call up a record of the
person, which is then employed to generate a "welcome" screen for
the person.
[0025] Optionally, a user may be interviewed by or in the presence
of a trained professional, with the data input or accepted in an
objectivized format. Thus, with a trained professional, e.g., a
doctor, nurse, chiropractor, social worker or nutritionist, the
input of medical information, analysis of choices, selection of
models, and approval of proposals may be facilitated. The
interaction between user and professional may also be part of a
consult or treatment session, and the data entry shared with a
medical records system. Thus, the nutritional supplementation
system may be integrated into traditional medical care settings,
and users who are in need of traditional medical care filtered from
potentially inappropriate self-help paradigms.
[0026] After initialization of the system, e.g., identification of
the person, the person may then interact with the system, for
example through a graphic user interface with a touchscreen input.
The graphic used interface may employ standard constructs, such as
menus, icons, and dialogue boxes. The screen interface may also be
customizable for the user, e.g., language, level of sophistication,
preferences, etc. In conjunction with the interface, a database
retrieval system may be provided to assist the person in making
choices and selections. Thus, a search engine may be accessed, as
well as preformed strategies for searching various topics. Where
the system connects to an on-line service, or the Internet,
so-called "spiders" may be employed to retrieve information of a
class specified by the user without requiring explicit
identification of each record. Further, so-called agents may be
used to assist in interaction with the system. The agents may
include, for example, aspects of the various selected models. The
software described may be executed on a server, client or
stand-alone computer. In particular, the optimization may be
performed on a personal computer, with the resulting proposal
printed for manual delivery or transmitted to a host system. The
present invention therefore envisions electronic commerce where an
order executing the proposal is transmitted electronically with the
resulting goods delivered through standard channels, such as mails,
couriers and parcel post. The present invention also envisions
execution of the software at or near a point of sale, with the
goods delivered at or in close proximity to the terminal. This, the
terminal itself may include a vending machine or be in a retail
nutritional supplement sales environment.
[0027] The system thus seeks to determine, based on a set of
personal preferences and constraints, as well as a health model and
an optionally a personal economic optimization model, an optimal
proposal for nutritional supplementation. Public health concerns
are rejected in favor of individual health benefit. Further,
absolute health mandates defer to personal preferences and
optionally cost tolerance.
[0028] In a typical application, a consumer initially identifies
himself to a computerized system, and undergoes an interview
process. If the consumer is known to the system, i.e., has a
database record, the prior history of the consumer is recalled.
Otherwise, the consumer is processed as a new user. The system may
also have or be granted access to medical records of the user.
Based on the interview, information relating to the consumer,
including present health status, dietary habits, medical
treatments, activities, exercise and preferences are determined.
Further, a health theory is proposed, based on responses to
particular questions or scenarios.
[0029] An economic model is optionally formulated, which may be as
simple as a daily, weekly or monthly budget for nutritional
supplements, or a more complicated analysis including normal food
intake and expected health benefits. The economic model may also
include expectation of third party benefits, such as payments,
discounts, subsidies, rebates, insurance or co-insurance by health
or life insurance organizations, health maintenance organizations,
prepaid provider organizations, or others. In fact, these third
parties may grant economic benefits which are dependent on a
correspondence between an organizational health theory and a
proposed health theory. Thus, the third party may skew the proposed
nutritional supplementation based on selective economic benefits.
It is also noted that economic constraints may change over time,
and therefore a reoptimization may be required on each such
change.
[0030] Based on an estimation of the present status of the
consumer, the system then seeks to propose specific changes and
nutritional supplements, in accordance with the health theory, and
optionally within the constraints of the economic model, to
maximize the expected benefit to the consumer. The consumer then
interacts with the system to "tune" the proposal based on personal
preferences. After acceptance, the consumer may then execute the
proposal by purchasing the recommended supplements. As stated
above, the purchase system may be linked to the terminal, in
communication with the terminal, or be completely separate.
[0031] Over time, the system may determine whether the proposals
are achieving as desired effect, to the extent that this is
determinable. For example, medical tests or diagnoses, or
subjective responses to inquiries, may be used as feedback data.
Where appropriate, the system may be interfaced with diagnostic or
exercise equipment, to obtain objective data. If the effect is as
expected, then the proposal is reinforced. If the effect is in
excess of the expected effect, then the proposal is reoptimized
based on the feedback. Accordingly, if the consumer is a high
responder to a nutritional supplement, the amount of the supplement
may be increased as compared to other components. Alternately, the
amount may be reduced, if the increased response is undesired or
unnecessary. In an economically optimized system, economic
resources may be freed for other nutritional supplements. Thus, the
system may employ a closed loop feedback input with periodic
reoptimization.
[0032] If a consumer alters his preference, or the health theory is
altered, either by selection of a new theory by the consumer or an
alteration in the theory based on new evidence, the subsequently
generated proposals may also be altered. However, the system will
continue to rely on closed loop feedback to personalize the
proposals.
[0033] The personal interview will acquire data about the
consumer's nutritional background, sex age, weight, age, ethnic
background and familial health risk factors, environmental and
behavioral health risk factors, medical conditions, treatments and
responses, activities, exercise, as well as subjective factors. In
order to further evaluate the consumer, it may also be desired to
obtain data relating to diagnostic tests on the consumer, such as
blood tests for specific micronutrients and indicative of
nutritional status.
[0034] In order for the economic optimization according to the
preferred embodiment to be fully effective, a complete and accurate
database of the costs of various options must be available. As
such, one aspect of the invention provides an electronically
accessible database of nutritional supplement content and cost
information. The database may also include information about the
normal food budget of the consumer, since a change in the food
budget may result in a change in the nutritional supplement
budget.
[0035] The health model or theory is a set of rules, formulae,
statistics and factors which allow analysis of the present health
status of the consumer as well as a predicted change in status due
to one or more nutritional supplements. Linked to this health model
are activity and toxicity models for the nutritional supplements,
so that the type and amount of nutritional supplements to be
proposed may be analyzed in conjunction with the present status of
the consumer. In particular, the activity model proposes a benefit
of a nutritional supplement, while a toxicity model compels a
limitation in dose. The activity and toxicity models may be
combined into an efficacy model. Where the individual models do not
explicitly account for interactions with other factors, models, and
nutritional supplements, a separate interaction model may be
provided to inform the consumer of potential interactions and seek
to prevent hazards or inefficiencies, and to determine whether
beneficial interactions are present or may be increased, for
example by combining magnesium and vitamin D. Another example is
the ability of ascorbic acid to degrade nitrosamines, which form
from nitrites in foods, for example preserved meats and smoked
fish. Thus, the nutritional supplementation optimization may
propose that orange juice, a food, be consumed when lox and bagels
are also consumed. Thus, the proposal is not limited to nutritional
supplementation with micronutrients alone.
[0036] The present system may also include a further related
concept, a model for optimization of health, which differs from the
health model by allowing statistical analysis of risks and
benefits, as well as contingent benefits.
[0037] Thus, a number of models operate simultaneously to achieve a
result, i.e., a proposal. First, the health model defines the
status and proposed status of the consumer. Second, the efficacy
models define a change in state with respect to amount of
nutritional supplements. The efficacy models are separated from the
health model to the extent desired so that each may be modified
separately to include new information. Third, the optional economic
model limits the optimization to affordable levels, and serves
higher purpose as well. The implementation of an economic model
facilitates economic efficiency by allowing providers to seek cost
effective nutritional supplements, even if this effect is somewhat
delayed. The optional optimization of health model seeks to
compensate for statistical risk and benefit, which may be
independent from the health model or efficacy models
themselves.
[0038] While the optional economic model may be relatively static,
this model may include the concepts of a "sale", discount coupon,
incentives, quantity discount (individual component or gross
order), handling, transaction costs and service charges,
negotiations with the vendor, or other known economic perturbations
or corrections. Further, as stated above, the economic model is
subject to perturbation by the influences of third party payers.
While the health model will generally not allow a third party to
compel supplementation with an undesired nutrient, the economic
model does weigh in favor of the subsidized nutritional supplements
where these are beneficial.
[0039] In practice, these models are preferably provided as modular
objects in a computer system, allowing one object to be
substituted, altered or updated without simultaneously requiring
consideration of corresponding or compensatory changes in other
models which are not dependent on the changed object. Of course,
the resulting optimization is a dependent object and must be
recomputed after a change in a parent object. Each model therefore
includes a set of formulae or parameters, which may be evaluated in
context. The evaluation is a statistical or linear programming
optimization to determine a best proposal. As stated above, based
on external inputs, factors of the model may be constrained.
Further, closed loop feedback may be used to update or personalize
the model for more accurate determinations.
[0040] The models may also include neural networks or fuzzy logic
paradigms. A neural network system is advantageous, for example,
where a model may be expressed as a set of neural network weights,
and therefore computing an optimization requires evaluation of the
neural network. Preferably, the model is modular, with portions
being separately evaluable and substitutable. Thus, the model may
be formed of a set of modules, representing aspects to be
optimized. A fuzzy logic system may be advantageous where semantic
expressions may be used to describe a relationship, and where a
precise logical statement of the relationship is difficult to
determine or evaluate. A neural network is generally created by an
iterative training process based on empirical data in a training
process, while a fuzzy logic system is generated as a set of
explicit rules in a programming process.
[0041] The system according to the present invention may also be
employed with patients, i.e., persons under medical care for a
disease. Thus, under such circumstances, the health model may
particularly include a model of a disease, with the parameters of
the proposal reviewed by a medical practitioner prior to
implementation. Thus, for example, the system may be employed to
optimize a total parenteral nutritional program for a patient. In
this case, however, an economic optimization may be excluded or
play a lesser role due to the high cost of medical interventions
and the possible role of a hospital pharmacy or pharmacist. Even
where total parenteral nutrition is not the desired result, a
patient under medical care may benefit from the proposal. It is
noted that, where a medical professional makes the decisions, the
health model will generally be conservative, i.e., employing
accepted scientific theories and relationships, while the health
optimization will also be conservative, e.g., "low risk". On the
other hand, the efficacy models may be very aggressive, in view of
the medical supervision and the availability of close monitoring.
Thus, the proposed doses may be closer to those at which toxic or
adverse effects may be seen.
[0042] The proposal need not be limited to nutritional supplements,
and therefore changes in diet, activity or exercise may also be
included in the proposals. It is noted that great changes in diet,
activity and exercise are difficult to effect, and therefore such
proposals may be of limited benefit. In fact, since non-compliance
rates are expected to be high, an optimization based on a proposal
requiring distinct efforts is likely to be rejected or ignored. On
the other hand, simple changes in diet, which are likely to be
adopted, may be very efficacious. Thus, on a pragmatic basis, the
proposal preferably emphasizes small dietary changes and a regimen
of pills and/or supplements, even where an equivalent change might
be possible through dietary modification.
[0043] Once a proposal is accepted, the system preferably has a
link to a system for ordering nutritional supplements recommended
in the proposal in standard packaging. Thus, according to the
preferred embodiment, the economic model database system may
include a link to an on-line ordering system from a nutritional
supplement supplier. Alternately, the nutritional supplements may
be individually formulated for a consumer from standardized
ingredients. The proposal, once accepted may be directly entered
into an ordering system, transmitted through an on-line service,
e-mailed, printed, or directly filled as an order.
[0044] Where the transaction occurs through an electronic medium,
e.g., the Internet, the payments may involve traditional means,
such as credit cards, or may involve newer systems for electronic
commerce. Where sensitive medical or accounting information is
transmitted through a public medium, it is preferably encrypted,
such as with an RSA public key/private key algorithm, the PGP
algorithm, or other encryption technique to prevent interception
and ensure authenticity.
[0045] It is noted that often consumers will have a present regimen
of nutritional supplements, possibly with existing inventory. In
this case, assuming the consumer preference is to continue the
existing regimen, the regimen will act as a constraint or soft
constraint on the optimization, and the system will propose
additional nutritional supplements and possibly modifications of
the regimen. For example, where an existing regimen provides too
much of a nutritional supplement according to a health model, the
proposal may recommend lowering intake of that nutritional
supplement. Where a constituent is inconsistent with the health
model, the proposal will exclude that constituent. On the other
hand, where an available constituent substitutes for an
unavailable, though potentially preferable constituent, the
optimization allows ingestion of an effective amount of the
available constituent until the supply is exhausted, at which time
the constraint is removed.
[0046] As an adjunct to selection of a health model, the system may
also include educational features to inform the consumer about
health, nutritional supplements in general, or specific nutritional
supplements. Thus, a database entry may be provided for each
nutritional supplement with both cost information as well as
educational information. Further, a data retrieval system may be
available to allow a consumer access to the information an a
non-predetermined manner. This educational information may also be
used to guide the process of selecting a health model and
identifying and analyzing risks for the health optimization model.
The database may be provided locally, or through an on-line or
Internet based service. Further, searching capabilities may employ
typical Internet searching techniques, for example to retrieve
Usenet messages or world wide web pages.
[0047] Where educational information is provided, information may
generally be segregated into two different categories. First,
mainstream science published in peer reviewed journals represents a
high quality source of information. However, such information may
be delayed by the peer review process or the underlying studies may
be prolonged. On the other hand, non-peer reviewed information and
non-mainstream journals may develop hypotheses which require years
of clinical testing in order to pass muster under the peer review
process. Thus, while non-peer review information may be less
trustworthy, it may be important nevertheless. Further, the
mainstream scientific community does not always address nutritional
supplements in a timely manner, and therefore the non-peer review
or non-mainstream publications may be the sole source of
information or suggestion relating to certain types of nutritional
supplements. The system may also be used to present topics of
dissent and debate, which may form the essential differences
between health models, and thereby present the distinctions and
allow informed selection of a desired health model.
[0048] This distinction is also drawn elsewhere in the optional
optimization process. The health optimization model factors in risk
tolerance as a separate factor. Thus, a consumer with high risk
tolerance might give greater emphasis to alternative medicine
concepts than a lower risk tolerance consumer. This risk tolerance
may be explicit, i.e., a person who explicitly desires a higher
risk (and higher potential reward) proposal, or implicit, i.e., a
person who is healthy and can tolerate adverse effects better than
an ill or fragile person.
[0049] On one hand, a Japanese user would likely find comfort in a
traditional Japanese health model, which in western medicine is
considered "alternate". On the other hand, an American medical
practitioner using the nutritional supplement optimization system
is unlikely to adopt substantial contributions from alternative
medicine sources.
[0050] In order to avoid providing medical advice, which may
permissibly be provided by a licensed physician, the system may
instead provide access to the actual studies and works of
authorship, without editorialization. Thus, the system may include
a mass database of selected references which may inform the user of
the risks and benefits of a given nutritional supplement, as well
as aspects of a health model. Likewise, where official government
advisory information exists, this information may be presented to
the consumer. For example, alcoholic beverages in various forms may
be considered beneficial in moderate amounts, yet toxic and
addictive in higher doses, and poses substantial risks while
driving or operating machinery. Therefore, alcohol products are
accompanied by a warning. This warning, as well as various studies
which support the use or abstention from use, may be available for
review by the consumer. Thus, an herbal extract in alcohol may
include a significant dose of alcohol with an effective dose of the
herbal ingredient. Whether this alcohol is considered toxic or
beneficial may depend on the health model, and also the
contemplated activities of the consumer.
[0051] The interface to the system is preferably an interactive
graphic user interface, allowing the consumer to make incremental
selections and make modifications to selections during a session.
The use of screen buttons, hot links, menus, dialogue boxes and
other typical graphic user interface elements is therefore
preferred. Through use of the system, the preferences of the user
may be determined, and present further data and selections based on
the determined preferences. Such a learning interface may allow
efficient interaction between the machine and user. The system may
be, for example, a Pentium.RTM. personal computer, Apple Power
PC.RTM., UNIX system, or other known type of computer system. The
operating system is, for example, Windows for Workgroups 3.11,
Windows 95, Windows NT, Macintosh Operating System, SunOS,
Netscape/Java, or other known type.
[0052] While the various models seek to optimize health under the
various constraints and inputs, a separate function is preferably
provided to confirm that potentially dangerous or undesirable
amounts or combinations are not proposed or selected. For example,
excess amounts of fat soluble vitamins are to be avoided, and the
calculations should encompass both the nutritional supplementation
as well as the dietary load.
[0053] Preferably a proposal is accompanied by a statement or
warning of potential or common side effects or adverse effects
relating to the components of the proposal and the dosages and
dosage forms proposed. Thus, a tailored printout specific for the
user, which may specifically refer to the user's medical history or
susceptibilities, is generated. During an encounter with the
system, the user may be interviewed for serious or common effects,
and warned to seek medical attention if an effect so warrants.
[0054] The system may reside on a local computer, network,
client-server environment, on-line service, the Internet, or in
other types of environments. Preferably, the consumer interacts
with a terminal which has access to a remote database which
includes model components, so that each terminal need not include
the entire database. However, it is also possible to load the
databases in a storage medium, e.g., CD-ROMs, so that a computer
network is not required. These CD-ROMs would likely require
periodic updating, for example, with economic information. The
product information and economic information database together
comprise a form of nutritional supplement catalog with current
market prices, from which orders may be reliably produced.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0055] The preferred embodiments of the invention will now be
described with respect to the figures, in which:
[0056] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a client server system for
interacting with the optimization system according to the present
invention;
[0057] FIG. 2 shows a flow chart for processing a new user
according to the present invention; and
[0058] FIG. 3 shows a flow chart for processing an experienced user
according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0059] A computer system is provided in a client-server
environment. As shown in FIG. 1, a client system 1 includes a human
interface, having a keyboard 2, touchscreen 3, and video display 4
in a kiosk 5. The client computer is a Pentium.RTM. PC running
Windows 95 and Netscape 3.0/Java. A hardcopy output device 6
(hidden in the drawing) is also present, e.g., a printer. The
server, which is a Sun web server 10, stores the databases for cost
11 and nutritional supplement information 13, as well as the
modeling information 14, and includes an application server 15 to
evaluate the models and generate a proposal. The client and server
are linked by a network 16, e.g., TCP/IP over PPP dial up lines
through the Internet, or over Ethernet, ISDN, Frame Relay, or other
known means.
[0060] As shown in FIG. 2, the user is prompted to input various
information, first identifying himself 21. If the user is
previously known to the system 22, the prior data is employed, and
the user need only update information 41, including any change in
health status, diet, non-compliance with prior proposal, weight,
diagnostic tests, preferences, or economic constraints. Of course,
the user may also edit or change any prior information 42, which is
entered 43, then verified 44, and finally saved 45. However,
safeguards are placed to prevent intentional deception of the
system to force an unsafe or unwise proposal 46, by placing risk
limits and noting unexpected changes in data.
[0061] Where a novice user first uses the system, a full interview
23 is required. This interview acquires the user's nutritional
background, sex age, weight, age, ethnic background and familial
health risk factors, environmental and behavioral health risk
factors, medical conditions, treatments and responses, exercise, as
well as subjective factors. Optionally, laboratory diagnostic
information 24 may be obtained, such as blood tests for specific
micronutrients and indicative of nutritional status, as well as
other objective data.
[0062] Economic constraints or considerations 25 are received,
e.g., a budget, for expenditures on nutritional supplements.
Generally, this comprises an explicit input, but may be derived
from other available information. Further, the economic constraints
may be flexible, encompassing not only the nutritional supplements,
but also dietary expenditures as well.
[0063] The user may also input an existing inventory 26 of
nutritional supplements and optionally their acquisition cost.
Otherwise, replacement cost is used to value the inventory.
[0064] A database is provided including cost information for
various nutritional supplements, and optionally specific
information about the various nutritional supplement choices, such
as contents. A further option is to provide differing databases
from differing vendors, allowing a user to select a vendor of
choice.
[0065] At least one health model is provided which determines an
optimum change in nutritional and health status for the user based
on acceptable changes in diet or lifestyle. Included in these
changes are nutritional supplements. This model comprises a large
set of formulae which represent a health status of the user, as
well as models of change in health status. Each health model
includes efficacy modeling for a set of nutritional supplements, as
well as interaction modeling for diet, nutritional supplements,
pharmaceuticals, and other factors. Thus, in this case, the health,
efficacy and interaction models are unified into a single model.
The user must select a health model 27 from the available choices,
or may optionally hybridize existing compatible models.
[0066] Finally, a health optimization model 28 is selected which
modifies the health model output based on the concept of risk and
benefit. Thus, a user indicates explicitly a subjective risk
tolerance, while implicit determinations of objective acceptable
risk are also determined. This model is statistical in nature, and
seeks to alter the aggressiveness of the proposal based on the
models. It is noted that the aggressiveness weighting relies on the
underlying health model. If a user seeks nutritional
supplementation aggressiveness beyond the risk issues, then a
different health model is preferably adopted which proposes the
desired regimen.
[0067] In generating the proposed nutritional supplementation 29,
it is noted that the various models may have global minima or
maxima and local minima or maxima, and therefore known searching
algorithms may be employed to select a preferred "operating point",
i.e., to optimize the proposal. Further, it is also noted that full
compliance is rarely obtained, so that the models or the health
optimization model may precompensate for an expected degree of
non-compliance. This expected degree of non-compliance may be
estimated, or based on subjective data or retrospective compliance
data.
[0068] The proposal is also subject to a consistency and safety
checker 30, which seeks to prevent mistake, interaction, or abuse
of the system. Thus checker operates outside of the other
optimization models and independently checks a proposal for likely
error or difficulty.
[0069] The system calculates an optimized proposal and outputs it
to the user 31. The user is given the opportunity to review the
proposal 32, and may alter aspects of it as desired. The use may
modify the proposal 33 with a firm constraint of a particular type,
and/or a flexible "counterproposal" with respect to one or more
components of the proposal. The alterations are then again
processed and optimized, to yield a new proposal. The process
repeats until the proposal meets the desires of the user. However,
the consistency and safety checker prevents an unsafe or unwise
proposal from being generated, at least without a warning.
[0070] When accepted by the user, the final proposal is output, for
example printed. Upon final approval, it may be directly forwarded
for order processing to a vendor 35. Where the vendor is remote
from the user, a secure electronic commerce system is employed
36.
[0071] In a simplified but specific example, a consumer is a
healthy 30 year old male with a balanced unsupplemented diet which
meets the USDA Recommended Daily Allowances. The consumer selects
an "antioxidant" health model, in which antioxidants are proposed
to limit environmental toxins, limit ischemic damage due to
hypoxia, and various other reputed effects. The consumer also
selects a budget of $2.50 per day.
[0072] According to this model, Vitamin C, Vitamin B mixtures,
Vitamin E, glutathione, as well as botanical polyphenols are
considered advantageous. It is noted that glutathione and Vitamin E
have caloric content, and thus, where the amounts given are
significant, a reduction in normal dietary intake to compensate
should be proposed.
[0073] Vitamin C is inexpensive, and often used as a filler and
antioxidant in other vitamin mixtures. Thus, the vitamin C dose is
maximized to subtoxic levels, generally 1500-2500 mg/day in divided
doses. Vitamin B mixtures are also relatively inexpensive, and
generally have a low cost at levels which avoid significant side
effects. Vitamins B and C are often combined in economical dosage
forms. Vitamin E is economically available, but is fat soluble, and
thus the dose may be limited to about 500 IU per day. Thus, the
vitamin B, C and E supplements are proposed at a reasonable
"maximum" dose, leaving a significant portion of the budget
remaining, e.g., about $2.25 per day.
[0074] Glutathione, while considered by many to be highly
efficacious, is expensive, and thus is a cost limiting item in the
optimization. Likewise, botanical polyphenols as extracts or
concentrates are also considered efficacious but are costly.
Therefore, one proposal might suggest that the consumer alter diet
to obtain the botanical polyphenols as part of the normal diet, so
that the remainder of the budgeted portion may be allocated to
glutathione supplementation. Alternately, a proposal might suggest
both glutathione and polyphenol nutritional supplementation in
amounts proportionate to putative benefit per unit cost, to
disburse the remaining budget. Thus, if glutathione is $2.50 per
gram and considered to have 0.7 health benefit units per gram, and
polyphenols are $20.00 per bottle of 30 100 mg capsules with 0.2
health benefit per capsule and $30.00 per bottle of 30 250 mg
capsules with 0.35 health benefit units per capsule, the resulting
optimization would propose one 250 mg capsule of polyphenols and
500 mg of glutathione per day. Note the drop in incremental
efficacy of polyphenols according to the model and the effect of
discrete dosage form availability.
[0075] In any case, the health model proposes an economically
optimized nutritional supplementation with vitamins B, C and E as
well as glutathione and polyphenols. This is, of course, a
simplified example having a limited number of choices, and an
actual system would have a plurality of models and a large
selection of nutritional supplements available.
[0076] If the user were to seek to constrain the proposal to 10,000
mg vitamin C per day, the cost optimization might change slightly,
but the consistency and safety checker would block the proposal or
place a warning that such a high dose may be dangerous, e.g., renal
calculi or rebound scurvy.
[0077] After the proposal is accepted, the server receives
notification and payment authorization, such as from a credit card,
and an order is entered with the vendor. A confirmation slip may be
printed locally. The order is then processed by the vendor and
shipped to the user. If a third party payor subsidizes this
nutritional supplementation regimen, the order or information
relating thereto may be forwarded to the payor for processing.
[0078] One month later, for example, the user may return to the
kiosk. At this time he identifies himself, and his records are
retrieved. When queried about his current health status, for
example, he notes objectionable skin flushing and lightheadedness
after taking the water soluble vitamins. The system identifies this
problem as being related to niacin flushing, and alters its
proposal to a reduced flushing vitamin B (niacin) supplement
formulation, for example a niacin and inositol mixture. This
formulation is more expensive, and thus causes a reallocation of
funds in the economic optimization. For example, less glutathione
is provided.
[0079] In this case, the proposal does not identically correspond
to readily available standard dosage forms of the nutritional
supplements. However, a custom mixture remains an alternative. In
this case, capsules containing the glutathione are custom made in
sizes which correspond to the desired dose. While such custom
mixture may entail a higher incremental cost than standard doses,
for costly ingredients such custom mixtures may meet the
requirements of the proposed nutritional supplementation better
than other alternatives.
[0080] Having illustrated and described the principles of the
invention in a preferred embodiment, it should be apparent to those
skilled in the art that the invention can be modified in
arrangement and detail without departing from such principles. For
example, discrete or integrated components of various types may be
employed for the various parts of the apparatus, as is known to
those of skill in the art. Features of the invention shown in
software may also be implemented in hardware.
* * * * *