Blog
What is orthomolecular medicine?
Oct
Orthomolecular nutrition goes beyond conventional dietary recommendations, aiming to align our diets with the foods our bodies have adapted to through evolution. It supplements these foods with additional quantities of nutrients often lacking in modern diets. Orthomolecular medicine takes this a step further, offering elevated quantities of these nutrients to individuals facing health challenges and increased nutritional needs.
In the realm of healthcare, the significance of nutrition often takes a backseat, with modern medicine occasionally neglecting its pivotal role as the cornerstone of good health and a formidable weapon against diseases. Surprisingly, clinical nutrition rarely receives the emphasis it deserves in medical education.
When we speak of nutrition, we encompass the vast array of essential nutrients and molecules crucial for supporting cellular functions and sustaining life. The human cell, a marvel of intricate life-creating machinery, operates with precision in its communication, regulation, and energy-producing systems. However, the malfunction of a single cell can disrupt the entire system, leading to what modern medicine terms degenerative diseases.
Understanding the roots of diseases requires an exploration into the origins of cellular dysfunction, a terrain where orthomolecular medicine comes to the forefront. This approach advocates the idea that by providing each cell with the optimal nutrients necessary for its proper function, we can restore internal balance and ultimately gain control over various forms of diseases.
Now, let’s delve into the profound significance of supplements:
Essential nutrients, including vitamins and minerals, play a vital role in maintaining cellular health and overall well-being. While a balanced diet ideally comprises carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and an array of nutrients, our modern food supply often falls short of delivering these crucial elements. Soil deficiencies due to pesticides, fertilizers, and the impact of acid rain further contribute to nutrient scarcity.
Certain modern habits, such as the use of oral contraceptives, high sugar intake, caffeine consumption, and stress, can deplete us of essential nutrients. For instance, oral contraceptives may lower serum levels of B vitamins and vitamin C, impacting women’s health in ways that might go unnoticed.
When examining government recommendations for vitamin intake, the surprising reality emerges – these recommendations are often set at surprisingly low levels. Take vitamin E as an example, with a dietary reference intake (DRI) set at 22 IU, while research suggests a need for at least 100 IU, possibly reaching 400 IU or more daily for disease prevention.
Enter supplements, designed to fill nutritional gaps in both suboptimal and balanced diets. With the aim of augmenting and enhancing our nutritional intake, supplements become particularly crucial in a world where deficiencies are common, and optimal nourishment is often elusive. Whether one struggles with inadequacies or seeks to fortify an already balanced diet, supplements emerge as a valuable tool in promoting good health and guarding against diseases.
In summary, we have underscored the paramount role of nutrition in fostering good health and combating diseases, a facet frequently overlooked by modern medicine. The concept of orthomolecular medicine emphasizes the importance of nourishing each cell with optimal nutrients, restoring internal balance, and controlling various diseases. Furthermore, the blog has shed light on the crucial role of supplements in addressing nutritional deficiencies prevalent in today’s diets, acting as a potent ally to bolster dietary lifestyles and safeguard individuals against diseases.
