At Mensah Medical, our practice is centered on Orthomolecular medicine. Ortho-, “correct” in Greek, and Molecular, relating to “chemistry” was coined by Linus Pauling and essentially means “the right molecule.”(source: Integrative Medicine Clinician’s Journal) Orthomolecular medicine addresses the root cause of a patient’s condition based on biochemistry rather than simply treating symptoms. Orthomolecular treatments focus on individualized nutritional therapies and other complementary treatments to prevent and treat a wide range of physical and mental health conditions. Correcting nutritional deficiencies or imbalances can restore balance, potentially resolving health issues without relying on harsh pharmaceuticals or invasive procedures. This approach has been proven effective in treating conditions such as depression, autism, anxiety, and many others where traditional therapies have not provided relief.
Orthomolecular treatments are based on natural elements such as vitamins, minerals, neurotransmitters, and enzymes. There are very few adverse side effects associated with them compared to pharmaceutical drugs. As long-term toxicity tests haven’t yet been conducted on many popular medications prescribed today, practitioners say that this needs to be taken into account when considering potential treatments for any symptom or ailment. In contrast to most prescription drugs that must be taken regularly, vitamins and minerals are constantly replenished in the body from dietary sources so an individual can adjust dosages as needed with less risk involved.
However, it’s important to note that Orthomolecular medicine should always be carried out under direct supervision from a qualified doctor or healthcare practitioner who can determine what dosages and supplements would work best for each specific case based on current scientific evidence available today. Dr. Albert Mensah and Dr. Judith Bowman have treated patients with orthomolecular medical protocols for over 20 years.
The history of orthomolecular medicine can be traced back to the mid-20th century. It was developed by two-time Nobel Prize winner Dr. Linus Pauling, who proposed that vitamins and other nutrients could prevent and treat disease. This idea was revolutionary then, as it ran counter to the medical establishment’s view that diseases were caused only by microbes or genetic abnormalities.
As the research continued, it became clear that nutritional deficiencies could have a profound effect on our health, leading to an understanding of how nutrients interact with each other and our bodies to maintain optimal health. This concept eventually led to the development of Orthomolecular medicine as a distinct field of study, which is focused on using dietary supplements and other natural remedies alongside traditional treatments to achieve better health outcomes.
In 1981, Dr. William J. Walsh, a pioneering biochemical researcher and world-renowned leader in the field of Orthomolecular medicine, founded The Walsh Institute. Throughout his career, Dr. Walsh conducted more than 30 years of intensive research into the physiological effects of micronutrients on human behavior and brain chemistry. He was the first to propose that an imbalance in certain nutrients could contribute to violent behavior, autism, and depression.
Dr. Walsh’s work has been published in numerous journals, including Science and The New England Journal of Medicine, as well as featured in various documentaries on PBS, NPR and the Discovery Channel. In addition to founding the Walsh Institute, he is also the founder of The Walsh Research Institute (WRI), an independent non-profit organization that strives to advance knowledge concerning nutrition and its relationship to mental health disorders through clinical research projects around the globe. Throughout his career Dr. Walsh has received numerous awards for his achievements in behavioral science and Orthomolecular medicine including being honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Society for Orthomolecular Medicine in 2018 for his dedication to this evolving field of healthcare practice. Both Dr. Albert Mensah and Dr. Judith Bowman studied under Dr. William Walsh and worked for the Pfeiffer Treatment Center, founded by Dr. William Walsh.
Overall Orthomolecular medicine is becoming more widely accepted by mainstream practitioners as a viable approach for managing many chronic illnesses due to its low-risk factor and potential benefits when combined with traditional treatments such as medications or surgery when necessary. The Mensah Research Institute is continuing the academic documentation of the efficacy and benefits of Orthomolecular medicine.
