The purpose of this addition is to try to keep homocysteine, in conjunction with the folate-B12 pathway, in the form of methionine to rob CBS of substrate for overproduction of cysteine. This is essentially a backup pathway, and is meant to complement the folate route for remethylation, rather than supplant it. It is not going to interfere with the folate route either. I encourage everyone considering an alternative to NVD to consider the following concerns before using any alternative product. The SAC of Trisomy 21 Research does not endorse supplement formulas for children with DS that contain added iron.
Sufficient iron is obtained from other sources.
Hence, NVD does not contain this mineral. Because of the oxidative challenges faced by children with DS, excess iron is considered potentially dangerous. Any competent physician following the health of the child will always be alert for iron deficiency and will treat accordingly and if necessary. Strontium is not in NVD because it has not been demonstrated to be necessary. Zinc is a part of many DNA-associated proteins, is in SOD, and is essential to development and maintenance of immune function.