Orthomolecular Medicine - Information and Specialists

Orthomolecular medicine is an alternative medical approach that aims to help patients achieve and maintain good health.

It focuses on prevention and treatment using micronutrients. The body needs these substances to function normally. The goal is to keep their concentrations and ratios within the optimal range.

Micronutrients include:

• Various vitamins
• Minerals
• Trace elements
• Phytochemicals
• Coenzymes and
• Fatty acids

Orthomolecular medicine therefore focuses extensively on healthy nutrition and correcting deficiencies.

This micronutrient contributes to the normal function of the immune system and to the maintenance of muscle and bone function @ Mediaparts /AdobeStock

Orthomolecular medicine is used for:

• Prevention
• Supporting a healthy lifestyle
• Improving quality of life

Often, the composition of a typical diet and the nutrients it contains are not optimal. This can lead to deficiencies or imbalances.

This is often due to a lack of time to prepare meals or because people frequently eat out. Although a person may feel healthy, they are out of balance, less productive, and tire quickly. The treatment aims to raise the levels of relevant micronutrients to optimal levels using appropriate dietary supplements. 

Treatments are suitable for:

• vegetarians and vegans
• as a complement to weight-loss diets
• for digestive disorders
• for competitive athletes
• for the elderly
• For adolescents
• to support anti-aging treatments
• for detoxification
• for stress

A vegan diet can lead to a deficiency in certain micronutrients, most notably vitamin B12 @ minoandriani /AdobeStock

Orthomolecular check-up for diets and special dietary regimens

Some vitamins and minerals are scarcely found in plant-based foods. These include vitamins B12, B2, and D.

Another reason is that the body has difficulty absorbing the minerals zinc and iron from plant-based sources.

If you follow a vegetarian diet, you can get your B2 and D from eggs and dairy products. Mushrooms and nuts also contain significant amounts. However, achieving an optimal intake is more difficult for vegans than for those who eat a mixed diet. For vegans, an annual check of these levels is recommended.

Although the skin produces and stores vitamin D when exposed to sunlight from about April through October, this is usually not sufficient.

Vitamin B12 intake is critical for vegans. It plays a role in many metabolic processes and is found in animal-based foods, algae, and some mushrooms. A strictly plant-based diet therefore almost inevitably leads to a deficiency.

People who follow a weight-loss diet consume fewer nutrients than the body needs to burn through fat reserves. However, the need for micronutrients remains at least the same.

Supplementation During Certain Life Stages

As people age, the body’s own production of vitamin D declines, making deficiencies more likely.

People who engage in intense athletic training have increased nutritional needs and lose minerals such as magnesium through sweat.

Folic acid deficiency is a risk factor for birth defects in the unborn child. Women should take folic acid supplements even before pregnancy, as intake is often insufficient.

Treatment for Acute and Chronic Diseases

Many diseases increase the need for micronutrients while limiting food intake. Certain medications can interfere with the absorption, utilization, and storage of micronutrients.

Examples include:

• Antihistamines for allergies
• Blood pressure medications
• Statins (for high cholesterol)
• Antibiotics
• Pain relievers
• Acid blockers

Supplementation with appropriate preparations can significantly improve symptoms, alleviate the side effects of conventional medical therapies, and promote recovery.

Typical conditions for which orthomolecular medicine is used:

• Malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies
• Frequently recurring infections
• Metabolic disorders (diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, lipid metabolism disorders)
• Muscle cramps
• Osteoporosis
• Inflammatory diseases (skin, joints)
• Cancer

In cases of osteoporosis, treatment with bisphosphonates prevents bone loss. Orthomolecular therapy with calcium—a key component of bone—and vitamin D contributes to bone formation.

The body needs vitamin D to absorb and utilize calcium. In some cases, it may also be necessary to administer fluoride. If the measured status is suboptimal, the practitioner may also recommend supplementation with other substances important for bone metabolism.

Among the most important substances are:

• Magnesium
• Potassium
• Zinc
• Selenium
• Silicon
• Omega-3 fatty acids and
• Gamma-linolenic acid

Omega-3 fatty acids are important for the heart, brain, and eyesight. They are found in fish and high-quality vegetable oils @ NorLife /AdobeStock

Orthomolecular treatment of cancer, used in conjunction with conventional therapy, aims to correct deficiencies that arise as a result of chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Vitamins D and C play an important role. 

There is evidence that high-dose vitamin C has a positive effect on response to therapy and survival time. It is important that the infusion be administered at a sufficient interval from chemotherapy.

During the initial consultation, the physician or naturopath will ask about your lifestyle and dietary habits. They will then determine which specific blood test results you should have checked. Blood is drawn in the morning on an empty stomach.

The treatment follows the “Measure – Treat – Monitor” principle. After analyzing the lab results, the therapist will decide whether it makes sense to improve certain micronutrient levels through nutritional therapy. 

They will discuss a needs-based replacement therapy with you. The substances are administered orally as tablets or via infusion. A follow-up examination is conducted after some time. If necessary, the therapy is then adjusted. Orthomolecular medical therapies are always individually tailored to the patient.

Depending on the treatment plan, therapy may involve low doses of active ingredients (dietary supplements). In the case of a diet, the composition is tailored to the individual (balanced diet). In some cases, very high doses are also used. Therefore, the practitioner must be mindful of interactions with other medications.

The intake of minerals and vitamins in orthomolecular treatment is usually higher than what is recommended by nutritional counseling. However, no side effects are expected.

For serious illnesses such as cancer, orthomolecular treatment is not suitable as an alternative but rather as a complementary (additional) therapy.