Orthomolecular Psychiatry:Orthomolecular Psychiatry:
In 1979, orthomolecular psychiatry was defined in the Medical Journal of Australia as follows:
"Orthomolecular psychiatry is the study of the genetic, metabolic, endocrine, immunologic and toxic disturbances that are contributing to, perpetuating, exacerbating or even causing the psychiatric symptomatology.
"It is the investigation of vitamin (coenzyme) levels, mineral (cofactor) levels (or toxic levels of lead, copper and other heavy metals), hormone levels, immunoglobulin levels (especially IgA and IgM), electrolyte levels (especially bicarbonate, calcium, blood sugars, and so on). What can be corrected is corrected and the patient is followed up regularly."
However, in 1998, this needs updating because orthomolecular psychiatrists also use amino acids, bioflavonoids such as Quercetin and Rutin, coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone or CoQ10) and n-3 and n-6 essential fatty acids. Vitamin therapy is not synonymous with orthomolecular psychiatry. It is only a sub-speciality.
An excellent book discussing Nutritional Influences on Illness (sourcebook on clinical research) is that of Melvyn R Werbach (Assistant Clinical Professor, School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, California). Also his book Nutritional Influences on Mental Illness.
These books support what I said in 1979 and now with up to date controlled double blind studies for many medical conditions and psychiatric disorders.
However, in 1998 Orthomolecular Psychiatrists also have to be aware of herbicides, pesticides, petrochemicals and other toxins and lectins in foods, and measure these in blood or urine where appropriate. Also antibodies to various tissues and organs, etc., are looked at to exclude autoimmune disease and risk for SLE, coeliac disease, etc.
By DrChrisReading - Australia's Orthomolecular Psychiatry Pioneer