OrthoMed Approach to ASTHMA

What is Orthomolecular Medicine?
Linus Pauling defined orthomolecular medicine as "the treatment of disease by the provision of the optimum molecular environment, especially the optimum concentrations of substances normally present in the human body." Orthomolecular medicine uses safe, effective nutritional therapy to fight illness.

Remember:
Vitamin C replaces antibiotics, antihistamines, antipyretics, antitoxics, and antiviral drugs at saturation (bowel tolerance) levels. It reduces inflammation.

A vitamin can act as a drug, but a drug can never act as a vitamin.

The reason one nutrient can cure so many different illnesses is because a deficiency of one nutrient can cause many different illnesses.
There is not even one death per year from vitamins. Pharmaceutical drugs, properly prescribed and taken as directed, kill over 100,000 Americans annually. Hospital errors kill still more. Unlike drugs, with vitamins, the range of safe dosages is extraordinarily large. 

 

Asthma

BACKGROUND

Asthma is a chronic illness involving the respiratory system in which the airway occasionally constricts, becomes inflamed, and is lined with excessive amounts of mucus, often in response to one or more triggers. Triggers may include such things as exposure to an environmental stimulant or allergen. Cold air, warm air, moist air, exercise or exertion, or emotional stress may trigger an attack. The airway narrowing causes symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.
According to research by Dr. Abram Hoffer published in the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine, sufferers of asthma appear to have low levels of ascorbate (vitamin C) in their system.  This is especially the case for men and children.

ORTHOMOLECULAR APPROACH

The orthomolecular approach to asthma focuses on nutrient deficiency. Vitamin C, known for reduction of inflammation, is often relied on to treat this illness. However dietary quantities of vitamin C are not sufficient to relieve asthma.
The orthomolecular treatment of asthma also looks at environment causes and suggests asthma suffers avoid tobacco smoke and any additional irritants or allergens.  Allergic foods should also be avoided. The most common food allergies found in individuals with asthma are “junk foods,” meat and dairy.
If foods are suspected to be the cause of asthma, an orthomolecular therapist will probably take a detailed history of the patient’s diet and place the patient on an elimination diet.
Orthomolecular treatment of asthma often includes the use of the following supplements:

• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Vitamin B6 Pyridoxine
• Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid
• Vitamin D

* A customized program must be developed by an orthomolecular practitioner

REFERENCES AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Articles and Resources

• Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, August 9, 2005. ASTHMA TREATMENT THAT WORKS. http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v01n08.shtml
• Hoffer, Abram. “The Megavitamin Revolution” Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine. 7.1 (1992)
• Hickey S and Saul AW. Vitamin C: The Real Story. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Pub, 2008.
• Hoffer A and Saul AW. Orthomolecular Medicine for Everyone. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Pub, 2008.
• Kunin, Richard. “Principles That Identify Orthomolecular Medicine: A Unique Medical Specialty”. Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine. 4 (1987)
• Harnett, Cindy. “Victoria MD wins prize for theories on megavitamins” Times Colonist November 3, 2007
• Murray, Michael T. Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements: The Essential Guide for Improving Your Health Naturally. Roseville, CA: Prima Publishing, 1996.
  Pauling, Linus. How to Live Longer and Feel Better. Corvallis: First Oregon State University Press, 2006.