Orthomolecular medicine is an alternative approach to the treatment of disease that is based on the belief that individuals suffer from illness because of an imbalance in what is considered the body's optimum environment.

Such an imbalance might be the result of a deficiency of a specific biochemical element such as protein, enzymes, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber or antioxidants. Treatment is typically via supplementation adjustments to the individual's diet on short or long-term bases.

Unlike many other alternative therapies, orthomolecular medicine is supported by medical science. While it's considered beyond the boundaries of conventional medicine, its benefits are generally accepted by members of the conventional medical community.

Orthomolecular medicine can allegedly be used effectively in the treatment of a wide variety of conditions from common colds to cancer. An orthomolecular practitioner will often use conventional medical terms to refer to a patient's condition, but will explain the presence of that condition in terms of a deficiency of one or more elements.

In order to address the deficiency, patients are often required to take supplements containing high doses of the deficient element. Once the imbalance has been corrected, it's believed that a disease or complaint will not reoccur if care is taken to ensure further deficiencies are avoided.

Broad-minded doctors practicing conventional medicine may suggest orthomolecular medicine to patients for whom conventional drugs and treatment methods have proven unsuccessful.