Natural nutrition emphasizes consuming whole, minimally processed foods to promote optimal health and well-being.
This holistic approach focuses on the nutritional value and quality of foods—prioritizing organic, nutrient-dense choices that support the body’s natural functions.
It’s rooted in the belief that food quality and sourcing impact physical, mental, and emotional health.
Key Principles of Natural Nutrition
- Whole Foods: Prioritize unprocessed or minimally processed foods. Seasonal fruits and vegetables, selected whole grains, nuts, seeds, and quality proteins retain natural nutrients and fibre essential for health.
- Organic and Non-GMO: Choosing organic foods and avoiding GMOs reduces exposure to synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and supports environmental sustainability
(Smith-Spangler et al., 2012). - Nutrient Density: Emphasize foods rich in vitamins, minerals, essential fats, and amino acids. Nutrient-dense foods offer more value per calorie and help prevent deficiencies.
- Personalized Nutrition: Tailor choices to age, sex, health status, and lifestyle. Individualized plans better support unique needs and goals.
- Mindful Eating: Honour hunger/satiety cues, slow down, and savour meals to improve digestion, regulate intake, and build a healthy relationship with food.
- Herbs and Spices: Use culinary herbs/spices to enhance flavour and bolster the nutrient and functional profile of meals.
Orthomolecular Psychiatry
Orthomolecular psychiatry, introduced by Nobel laureate Linus Pauling (1968), explores supporting mental health by optimizing the concentrations of substances naturally present in the body.
Pauling proposed that adjusting vitamins and minerals toward optimal levels may benefit mental health
(Pauling, 1968).
Abram Hoffer later expanded this field, emphasizing targeted nutrient strategies in conditions such as schizophrenia and depression (Hoffer, 1974).
Benefits of Natural Nutrition
Diets centred on whole, organic foods are associated with reduced risk of chronic disease, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and some cancers
(Schwingshackl et al., 2018).
Focusing on nutrient-dense foods can also support energy, mood, and overall quality of life.
Conclusion
Natural nutrition offers a holistic, individualized approach that prioritizes whole, organic, nutrient-dense foods.
Attention to food quality and source supports overall health and well-being, and principles from orthomolecular psychiatry highlight the potential role of nutrients in mental health.
References
Hoffer, A. (1974). History of orthomolecular psychiatry. Orthomolecular Psychiatry, 3(4), 223–230.
Pauling, L. (1968). Orthomolecular psychiatry: Varying the concentrations of substances normally present in the human body may control mental disease.
Science, 160(3825), 265–271.
https://doi.org/10.1126/science.160.3825.265
Schwingshackl, L., Hoffmann, G., Lampousi, A. M., Knüppel, S., Iqbal, K., Schwedhelm, C., … Boeing, H. (2018).
Food groups and risk of all-cause mortality: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 107(3), 466–477.
https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqx086
Smith-Spangler, C., Brandeau, M. L., Hunter, G. E., Bavinger, J. C., Pearson, M., Eschbach, P. J., … Bravata, D. M. (2012).
Are organic foods safer or healthier than conventional alternatives? A systematic review.
Annals of Internal Medicine, 157(5), 348–366.
https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-157-5-201209040-00007
