What is orthomolecular psychiatry?

Orthomolecular psychiatry is an alternative medicine in which the practicing after evaluation of the individual biochemical composition of patients with mental disorders attempts to prevent or treat disorders by dietary modifications and supplements. Although supporters of this treatment date this from the age of 20, century, first documented use of orthomolecular psychiatry occurred in the 50s under the leadership of Abram Hoffer and Humphrey osmond. Most doctors of orthomolecular psychiatry seek to speed up the use of conventional antipsychotic drugs in the treatment of mental disorders, by their belief that there are natural substances present that can provide the same therapeutic benefits of any traditional drugs for psychosis. Orthomolecularists argued that many psychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, lack of attention (ADHD) and depression, occur due to biochemical imbalances in the body, three W, W.Hich are pyroluria, histadelia and histaphenia. In 1973 the working group AmerThe Iic Psychiatric Association (APA) has reviewed the cumulative scientific set of evidence for orthomolecular psychiatry and concluded that the therapeutic system lasted credibility.

Although there is little or no essential medical evidence to support their beliefs, supporters of orthomolecular psychiatry state that many psychotic conditions exist due to low blood sugar, low thyroid function, food allergy and heavy metal poisoning. Carl Pfeiffer, a homeopath who believed in orthomolecular medicine, attributed the depression of high levels of basophils and histamines in the blood, cells and chemicals that are commonly involved in allergic reactions. He suggested to heal this condition called Histadelia, with methionine and vitamin B6 supplements. Although many patients received this treatment in their Pfeiffer Treatment Center, it did not publish any of the results in reviewed magazines.

In addition to histadelia, Carl Pfeiffer undertook to treat another condition that he called pyroluria, in which the wrong formation of the blood oxygen, hemoglobin, leads to high blood levels and urine chemicals of chemicals. Pfeiffer and other orthomolecularists argued that pyroluria causes such conditions as autism, schizophrenia, Down syndrome and epilepsy. Further research did not find a causal link between pyrrol and any mental condition. In addition, in patients with mental illness of urine and blood, they did not create the expected increase in pyrrols in schizophrenic patients.

Although mainstream psychiatrists discredit orthomolecular psychiatry, the use of nutritional supplements and diet modifications for some patients brought huge benefits. Dr. Linus Pauling won the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his pioneering work with vitamin C in the treatment of common colds. In 1999, clinical studies supported the use of omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Many cancer patients take meGavitamins to help their struggle against tumor cells. Nutritional supplements can be useful in case of insufficient intake or defective assimilation of diet nutrients, but most medical experts agree that consumption of nutritious food best achieves the goal to maintain the right balance of basic vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.