Orthomolecular medicine is a form of complementary medicine aimed at maintaining health through nutritional supplementation and based on the idea that there is an optimum nutritional environment in the body and that diseases reflect deficiencies in this environment. Treatment for disease, according to this view, is an attempt to correct “imbalances or deficiencies based on individual biochemistry” by use of substances such as vitamins, minerals (including trace elements), amino acids, fatty acids, phytonutrients, probiotics and prebiotics.
The Claim
The Claim
Orhtomolecular medicine
Orthomolecular medicine is based on the targeted intake of micronutrients to meet an increased need as a result of acute or chronic illnesses, e.g. osteoarthritis, or in specific circumstances such as pregnancy. But micronutrients should not be taken indiscriminately or with an attitude “more is better”. Taking care of medical analysis, specific combinations should be used in a way to be adapted to each particular need or medical indication, i.e. the right combination of micronutrients with a well-balanced dosage.
Groups at risk of micronutrient deficiencies:
- People who adhere to a specific diet in order to lose weight, or those who only eat a small amount for other reasons (such as elderly people with a poor appetite)
- People with extremely one-sided eating habits, e.g. those who predominantly eat fast food, or “fruitarians” who only eat a limited number of foods for ideological reasons
- Smokers
- People who drink a lot of alcohol
- People with digestive disorders
- Vegans
- Patients who must take certain pharmaceuticals on a regular basis (e.g. cortisone or a number of antibiotics)
- People with minimum sun exposure are at risk of developing a vitamin D deficiency
- Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding