Blog · Orthomolecular nutrition
Orthomolecular nutrition: what it is, benefits, and origin
Orthomolecular nutrition was born as a therapy to improve and restore people's optimal health levels. Discover below what it is, what its benefits are, and where it comes from.
01 · Origin
The origin of orthomolecular therapy
Orthomolecular medicine dates back to the 1960s, when the two-time Nobel Prize-winning scientist Linus Pauling observed that maintaining proper cell physiology and basic functions required certain molecules to be present in the body in specific amounts. That balance is what allows people to maintain a state of health.
In 1968, he named it in the journal Science: “orthomolecular,” from the Greek orthos, meaning correct.1
02 · What it is
Nutrition as the basis of treatment
Orthomolecular medicine considers nutrition to be the foundation of treatment. Therefore, it applies orthomolecular nutrition as a fundamental part of health recovery. To achieve this:
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01It studies biochemical causesIt seeks the origin of imbalances at the cellular level, not just the symptoms.
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02It applies laboratory testsIt measures the actual levels of nutrients and other markers in each person.
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03It places relevance on the patient's clinical historyTheir history, symptoms, and lifestyle guide every decision.
03 · Benefits
A protocol for every person
Orthomolecular nutrition helps in the prevention of diseases. Once the patient's biochemistry has been studied, a personalized protocol is developed that combines nutrients, trace elements, amino acids, fatty acids, phytochemicals, and other micronutrients in the doses that each organism needs to restore altered functions.
This approach is based on a key concept: food can turn genes on or off. Nutrigenomics studies how nutrients influence the expression of our DNA without changing the genetic code.3 Proper nutrition helps protect the integrity of DNA, while a lack of micronutrients can promote DNA damage, a factor associated with serious illnesses.4
Proper nutrition helps protect the integrity of your DNA.
04 · What it uses
Natural substances for the body
Orthomolecular nutrition uses substances that exist naturally in the human body and in food, with good bioavailability. In addition to indicating a personalized meal plan, it is common to recommend oral nutritional supplements, such as:
Important: intravenous administration of nutrients must be indicated and applied exclusively by medical professionals.
05 · Vitamins and minerals
Essential micronutrients
Micronutrients are essential for the proper functioning of the body. These are some of the vitamins that interact within orthomolecular nutrition and what they contribute to the body.5
Along with vitamins, minerals such as magnesium, zinc, and selenium complete the team: they are cofactors for hundreds of reactions that the body performs every day.
06 · In summary
Balance from the cell
Orthomolecular nutrition seeks to ensure that each person has the molecules they need, in the right amount, to balance the body naturally. At Ortomolecular Chile, we work with METAZOME™ dry liposomal technology to promote the bioavailability of each nutrient, and we are official distributors of Nordic Naturals in Chile.
Want to learn more? Read our guide What is orthomolecular nutrition?
Nutrients designed for your cells.
View products →References
Sources consulted
- Pauling L. Orthomolecular psychiatry. Science. 1968;160(3825):265–271. doi:10.1126/science.160.3825.265
- The Nobel Prize. Linus Pauling – Facts. nobelprize.org
- Waterland RA, Jirtle RL. Transposable elements: targets for early nutritional effects on epigenetic gene regulation. Mol Cell Biol. 2003;23(15):5293–5300. doi:10.1128/MCB.23.15.5293-5300.2003
- Ames BN. DNA damage from micronutrient deficiencies is likely to be a major cause of cancer. Mutat Res. 2001;475(1–2):7–20. doi:10.1016/S0027-5107(01)00070-7
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary Supplement Fact Sheets. ods.od.nih.gov
- NIH ODS. Vitamin A and Carotenoids – Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. ods.od.nih.gov
- NIH ODS. Vitamin B6 – Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. ods.od.nih.gov
- NIH ODS. Vitamin C – Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. ods.od.nih.gov
- NIH ODS. Vitamin D – Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. ods.od.nih.gov
- NIH ODS. Vitamin E – Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. ods.od.nih.gov
This content is informational and does not replace the consultation, diagnosis, or treatment of a healthcare professional. Dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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