Orthomolecular Medicine

[Christ_empowered]

Orthomolecular Medicine (OM) is basically using select high dose vitamins, sometimes with botanicals and other stuff, to get pharmaceutical-level results while using either no drugs or fewer drugs.

One of the first application was psychiatry. That's what got me started on OM. I take: 10grams vitamin C, 3 grams niacinamide (B3), 1600 IU natural form vitamin E+400micrograms selenium, 30mgs OptiZinc, 1 b-100. That's the stuff that's found in your typical OM protocol for someone with the sort of problems (anxiety, agitation, mood, and occasional psychosis--offically, "Bipolar I" of the more severe variety). In an era when Bipolar I patients commonly take 4+ meds, I take 1 daily (Abilify) and now 1 as-needed (Vistaril, a sedating anthistamine). No side effects.

Other applications of OM and/or OM concepts: heart health (niacin for high cholesterol, for instance); skin care (niacinamide, b3, can be used orally and/or topically for wrinkles, rosacea, and acne); cancer (IV high dose vitamin C+other antioxidants either w/ conventional treatment or in place of it, based on patient preference); and HIV/AIDS (high dose antioxidants+lots of supplements to compensate for the stress on the body from HIV).

Its amazing! Now, don't get me wrong: vitamins don't necessarily "fix" everything. I still take 1-2 meds and now have to do talk therapy. I still have to use medication for skin problems (retin-a which, interestngly enough, is a form of purified vitamin A). But it has helped me so much, I thought I'd share the concept with everyone.

Spending that much on supplements can be annoying, but if you're in a position like I'm in--either spend it on vitamins or spend more on shrinks, pills, and hospitals--its actually a money-saver.

If you want to, check out www.doctoryourself.com

 

[AirDancer]

Thank you for sharing the info, Christ_empowered.

I hope you don't mind...I've written down the vitamins/supps info... will be seeing a family member this weekend who is Bipolar...he doesn't care much at all about the meds he's on... perhaps this is a different & healthier route for him. Figure it's well worth the try, at any rate.

Bless you, Christ_empowered!

 

[Christ_empowered]

Hey, Air_Dancer! I hope this helps your relative. I've had some unfortunate experiences w/ the mental health industry (see my post on almost getting committed), so I try to handle things outside "the system" to whatever extent I can.

Do check out the website www.doctoryourself.com . That site is amazing and you can then do google searches based on what you find to help set up your relative w/ a good vitamin program that might minimize the number of meds he needs. You might find some of it helpful for you, too.

 

[AirDancer]

Thank you, Christ_empowered, for the link. When last I saw him (at Christmas), he was bothered a bit by the weight he had gained due to the new meds they switched him to...so going a more natural route should help with the weight gain.

We did convince him to give up some food items and replace them with the real thing: butter (instead of margarine); fresh herbs (instead of none); eggs (instead of powdered); honey & cinnamon on toast, in tea & coffee; he was consuming a lot of preservatives.

Anyway... thanks for the info, Christ_empowered.... you are a blessing!

 

[tim-from-pa]

Hi CE:

Yes you are on the right track. I remember learning about Orthomolecular medicine from my old Rodale books back in the 70's and 80's. It's been around awhile and as you say, for conditions as you have high doses of vitamin C, B3, B6, and E were popular. The late Dr. Linus Pauling was a big advocate of high doses of vitamin C.

I have not kept abreast of this treatment, but I would imagine they probably made some other nutrient progress (hopefully) such as maybe vitamin D which people are lacking these days due to the junk-science paranoia about the sun and avoiding it (and cholesterol) at all costs. So I would also throw in a good measure of those two "ingredients" as well.