Nutritional doctors

Natural Health, March-April, 1998 by Linda Weber

The cause of disease? Missing nutrients, say these docs, who locate the ones you're missing.

WHAT ARE THEY

Nutritional doctors, sometimes called orthomolecular physicians, are medical doctors who rely largely on nutrients to cure disease. Often they prescribe dosages much higher than RDA levels.

STRATEGY

Nutritional doctors determine through tests what nutrients a patient lacks (because of his or her diet or from free radicals generated by physical and emotional stress). They then prescribe vitamins (sometimes in amounts tens or hundreds of times the RDA), minerals, or enzymes to reestablish optimal nutrient levels. They also recommend adjustments to the patient's diet.

THE EVIDENCE

Alan Gaby M.D., professor of nutrition at Bastyr University in Bothell, Washington, has documented 30,000 articles published in science journals on the use of nutrients to treat illness. Many are supportive, says Gaby; 500 are conclusive.

WHAT TO EXPECT

A first office visit lasts about an hour. You answer a detailed questionnaire about your diet, lifestyle, and stress. The doctor then performs a comprehensive physical exam and checks blood pressure, heart rate, and neurological responses. The physician also orders blood and urine tests; a vitamin panel (which measures four to seventeen vitamins); and a mineral panel (to measure three dozen minerals). Using the test results, the doctor prescribes needed nutrients. In succeeding months, your progress is monitored with subsequent tests, and your dosages fine-tuned.

NAY

Wallace Sampson, M.D., clinical professor of medicine at Stanford University, says, "I would not recommend following any advice from an orthomolecular doctor without checking with an internist knowledgeable in nutrition. The quantities of supplements prescribed by orthomolecular doctors are unnecessary and could be dangerous."

YEA

Physician Alan Gaby says, "When doctors make errors in orthomolecular medicine, the risks are minimal. There are toxic doses of certain substances, but most doctors know what they are and don't approach those doses. Using nutrients is a lot safer overall an using drugs."

CAVEATS

Taking mega-doses of supplements should only be done under the supervision of a qualified physician.

COSTS

The combined cost for the first two visits to an orthomolecular doctor can run between $400 and $600. Lab tests may cost between $400 and $1,200. Supplements are more.

RESOURCES

To locate a nutritional doctor, contact The Society of Orthomolecular Health-Medicine at 415-922-6462, or send an email to sohma@aol.com.

RELATED ARTICLE: "NO SURGERY FOR ME"

More than a year ago, 66-year-old Donald Ware was short of breath when he walked and had severe chest pains. An angiogram revealed a badly clogged artery in his heart, prompting a heart specialist to recommend bypass surgery. Ware said "No."

Ware then had a series of minor strokes that affected his speech and memory. Still he declined surgery and opted instead for herbs, acupuncture, a change in diet, and supplements he prescribed for himself.

His condition didn't improve. He sought help from Richard Kunin, M.D., an orthomolecular doctor in San Francisco. Kunin advised Ware to stop drinking milk, and to take chromium, coenzyme Q10, and a fish oil--EPA concentrate.

In a month, Ware's chest pain subsided. After three months, the pains were gone. "I could walk up stairs and walk greater distances," he says. "After six months, I could run up stairs." Ware continues the supplements, eats a near-vegetarian diet, and says, "I'm 67, but I feel 40."