Orthomolecular medicine concentrates on the molecular structure of the body by supplying it with ample amounts of proper nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It does so within proper balance and in a favorable environment. As in many other alternative medicine modalities, orthomolecular medicine targets a wide range of conditions.
Orthomolecular medicine evolved over time into a discipline under the direction of Linus Pauling, Ph.D., winner of two Nobel prizes, in 1968. It is designed to enable individuals to achieve optimum health and peak performance by utilizing only naturally occurring substances (e.g. vitamins, minerals, enzymes, trace elements, co-enzymes). The proper balance of these substances in the body is the key to reaching physical, mental, and emotional health and stability.
Orthomolecular medicine can be used therapeutically to treat diseases such as cancer and AIDS, or preventatively to impede the progress of degenerative disease and aging.