Orthomolecular medicine is a type of complementary therapy that often uses nutritional supplements and foods rich in vitamins, such as vitamin C or vitamin E, to reduce the amount of free radicals in the body, thus preventing the body from being in a constant process of inflammation and preventing the onset of some common diseases of aging, such as arthritis, cataracts or even cancer.
In addition, as it works mainly by the use of anti-oxidants, orthomolecular medicine can also improve the skin's appearance, improving elasticity and disguising aging marks, such as wrinkles and dark spots, for example.
How it works
Orthomolecular medicine works by eliminating excess free radicals that are in the body. Free radicals are very reactive molecules that can affect healthy cells and, although they are a normal result of bodily functioning, generally need to be kept in low amounts to not cause health damage.
Thus, when the amount of these radicals is very high, especially due to unhealthy living habits such as cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, overuse of medicines or even prolonged sun exposure, damage to healthy cells can occur, leading to a process of constant inflammation that favors the emergence of diseases such as:
- Arthritis;
- Atherosclerosis;
- Cataratas;
- Alzheimer;
- Parkinson;
- Cancer.
In addition, early aging of the skin is also affected by excess free radicals in the body, and orthomolecular medicine is a good therapy to improve skin health, especially in smokers.
Because it helps to lose weight
Chronic inflammation caused by the excessive presence of free radicals can impair weight loss in people who are dieting to lose weight because the cells become swollen and can not function normally, favoring the accumulation of fluids throughout the body.
In addition, making an antioxidant orotmolecular diet usually includes the preferential use of vegetables and fruits, which have fewer calories and therefore contribute to weight loss. This type of diet can often be associated with Mediterranean diet, since it follows the same principles to maintain health and to lose weight.
How to Make an Orthomolecular Diet
In the diet of orthomolecular medicine the secret lies in detoxifying the organism. In this diet nothing is forbidden, but some things should be avoided as eating many spicy, industrialized, greasy foods and drinking plenty of water.
To follow the orthomolecular diet is advised:
- Prefer natural foods, such as fruits and vegetables;
- Do not eat fried foods, do not drink soft drinks and avoid alcoholic beverages;
- Eat more fiber, by eating raw vegetables at all meals;
- Avoid red meat, and sausages;
- Take 3g omega 3 daily;
- Cook in clay pots, avoiding the aluminum, to lower the risk of cancer.
According to the guidelines of orthomolecular physicians, the ideal is even if you reach the ideal weight (see your BMI) eating better and practicing physical activity. Eating in fast foods and having a stressful and sedentary life aggravate the problem and leave the body very intoxicated.
How to use nutritional supplements
Antioxidant nutritional supplements should always be directed by a nutritionist or a professional who specializes in phytotherapy or orthomolecular medicine, as the type and doses may vary according to age and associated health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes or obesity.
However, the general guidelines are:
- Vitamin C : take about 500 mg per day;
- Vitamin E : about 200 mg per day;
- Coenzyme Q10 : ingest 50 to 200 mcg per day;
- L-carnitine : 1000 to 2000 mg daily;
- Quercetin : take 800 to 1200 mg per day.
These supplements can be used separately or together, very often making vitamin C and E together, for example.
