Orthomolecular medicine describes the practice of preventing and treating disease by providing the body with optimal amounts of substances which are natural to the body. The term "orthomolecular" was first used by Linus Pauling in a paper he wrote in the journal Science in 1968. This paper first described the theoretical foundations for what was later to become a specialty within complementary medicine.

The key idea in orthomolecular medicine is that genetic factors are central not only to the physical characteristics of individuals, but also to their biochemical milieu. Biochemical pathways of the body have significant genetic variability in terms of individual enzyme concentrations and transcriptional potential, receptor-ligand affinities and protein transporter efficiency.

Diseases such as atherosclerosis, cancer, schizophrenia or depression are associated with specific biochemical abnormalities which are either causal or aggravating factors of the illness. In the orthomolecular view, it is possible that the provision of vitamins, amino acids, trace elements, electrolytes or fatty acids in amounts sufficient to correct biochemical abnormalities will be therapeutic in preventing or treating such diseases.

Want to learn more? The following essays give a more detailed overview of the nature, efficacy and history of orthomolecular medicine :

Orthomolecular Medicine - Revisited. Ray C. Wunderlich, Jr., M.D.

On the Orthomolecular Environment of the Mind. Linus Pauling, Ph.D.

Principles That Identify Orthormolecular Medicine. R. Kunin, MD

Orthomolecular Psychiatry Linus Pauling, Ph.D.