Definition: Nutritional Practitioner

Orthomolecular

Nutritional Practitioner is a term made up of ortho, which is Greek for “correct” or “right” and molecule which is the simplest structure that displays the characteristics of a compound. So the term literally means the “right molecules”. Linus Pauling coined the term in 1968 to help express his belief that disease could be eradicated by giving the body the “right molecules” in the correct amounts.

A Registered Orthomolecular Health Practitioner provides to individuals or groups, guidance pertaining to the building and maintenance of nutritional well-being. Ultimately, the cells in our bodies are built from the raw materials we eat. The more suitable our food choices are to our specific requirements, the better cell structures we can build. Since every person is biochemically unique, individual nutritional imbalances and weaknesses must be assessed. An ROHP will introduce new dietary habits, incorporating the latest nutritional breakthroughs, but it may be difficult to achieve optimal health through food alone. In such cases, ROHP’s are trained to design personalized dietary supplement programs. Environmental pollution, metal toxicity, parasites and allergies are among other factors that must be considered in constructing a nutritional program.

Each of us eat distinctly different foods grown in varying soils yielding different nutrients. Each of us has a unique body composition which we exercise differently in varying work and play environments. And each of us has different physical and emotional stressors. So while everyone has the same list of required natural substances such as vitamins, minerals trace elements, amino acids, enzymes and hormones, the healthy amounts are uniquely determined by diet, lifestyle, environment, genetics and cellular biochemistry. It is the relative amounts of the “right molecules” that is critical to each of us as individuals. When they get out of balance, disease results.

Turning this around, disease manifests from excesses and deficiencies of the natural substances our bodies need to grow and repair tissue. Orthomolecular therapies are aimed squarely at bringing these natural substances into optimal balance.

This approach differs from conventional medicine which assumes one disease (the presenting illness) originates from a single cause and solved by one (or few) treatment. Where orthomolecular medicine utilize natural substances, conventional medicine often treat with synthetic drugs. Introducing these alien chemicals into our bodies may alleviate symptoms but has three drawbacks: drugs often erase valuable clues as to the underlying problem(s), they can be toxic and cause dangerous reactions and side effects, and they can create dependence.

The International Organization of Nutritional Consultants (IONC) was established in 1983 to assure the public that practitioners are meeting high educational standards. Therefore the designation “Registered Orthomolecular Health Practitioner” signifies a nutritional practitioner who has met the standards of the IONC – a voluntary, independent, non-profit association.