or optimum nutritionOrthomolecular medicine Definition
Orthomolecular medicine is the preservation of good health and the treatment of disease by varying the concentration, in the human body, of natural substances that are normally present in a healthy body. A form of alternative medicine that aims to prevent and cure disease by using specific doses (many times high-dose) of vitamins, amino acids, fatty acids, trace minerals, electrolytes, and other natural substances. Orthomolecular medicine focuses on the role of proper nutrition in relation to health. Nutrition comes first in medical diagnoses and treatment.
Recommended dietary allowances (RDA) of nutrients are seen as inadequate, given the individuality of patients’ genetic disposition and the interaction of the environment. Often supplementation with relatively large doses of vitamins is given and the name megavitamin therapy has become popularly associated with the field.
The substances may be administered by diet, dietary supplementation or intravenously.
Many conventional doctors disregard the concepts of orthomolecular medicine and tell patients that a balanced diet will provide all the nutrition a person needs to be healthy. Critics arguing against vitamin therapy claim that high doses of certain vitamins are toxic and can cause problems.
Proponents point to an almost zero level of deaths caused by overdosing of vitamins compared to the significant numbers from pharmaceuticals.
The field orthomolecular psychiatry deals with the use of orthomolecular medicine to treat psychiatric problems.Orthomolecular medicine PurposeIncreasing the intake of such nutrients to levels well above those usually associated with preventing overt deficiency disease may have health benefits for some people. There is at least preliminary evidence that orthomolecular remedies may be effective in treating AIDS; bronchial asthma; cancer; cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, and stroke; lymph edema; and mental and neurological disorders. The treatment of diabetes by the injection of insulin and the prevention of goiter with iodine are instances of orthomolecular medicine. Click here to go to the next Therapy page Click to go back, to the list of alternative medicine therapies page Click here to bypass, and go immediately to the Doctor of Naturopathy help for you, or to read how Naturopathy can help. This website developed by www.designersofwebs.com | |
