BACKGROUND
The number of Canadians who are overweight or obese has increased dramatically over the past 25 years. Statistics Canada now reports that two out of every three adults in Canada are overweight or obese. Obesity is a major risk factor in a number of chronic diseases. Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is important to reduce the risk of illness and improve overall health.
ORTHOMOLECULAR APPROACH
An orthomolecular approach to treating weight loss examines nutrient deficiency and general diet. According to Dr. Al Newbold's work published in his book Revolutionary New Discoveries About Weight Loss, obesity has been linked to a deficiency of B complex vitamin resulting from modern diets. The body tries to remedy the deficiency by eating more fat, carbohydrates and sugars.
Therapy for obesity focuses on increasing the intake of the B vitamins and, of course, combining this with reduced food consumption. An orthomolecular practitioner may place you on diet that consists of whole foods that have not been processed, reducing food and environmental toxins, and eliminating sugars as much as possible.
Orthomolecular treatment of weight loss could include the use of the following supplements:
B Complex
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Zinc Citrate
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B3
Chromium
Calcium and Magnesium
Zinc
*A customized program must be developed by an orthomolecular practitioner.
REFERENCES AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Articles and Resources
Hoffer, Dr. Abram. "The Megavitamin Revolution." Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine. 7.1 (1995)
Hoffer A and Saul AW. Orthomolecular Medicine for Everyone. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Pub, 2008.
Kunin, Richard. "Principles That Identify Orthormolecular Medicine: A Unique Medical Specialty". Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine. 4 (1987)
Newbold, Dr. A. "Newbold's Revolutionary New Discoveries About Weight Loss." Journal of Orthomolecular Psychiatry. 7:71-74 (1977)
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.
Ames, B. "Low micronutrient intake may accelerate the degenerative diseases of aging through allocation of scarce micronutrients by triage." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 103: 17589-17594 (2006)
Green, G. Subclinical Pellagra. San Francisco,CA: WH Freeman and Company, 1973, 411-433
Hoffer, Dr. Abram. Healing Children's Attention and Behavior Disorders: Toronto: CCNM Press Inc, 2005.
Prousky J. Anxiety: Orthomolecular Diagnosis and Treatment. Toronto: CCNM Press Inc, 2006
Wald, G and Jackson, B. "Activity and Nutritional Deprivation Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America" Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 30.9 (1944) 255-263.