Frequently Asked Questions

Response

Do we have a track record of treatment success?

Yes. Please see the peer reviewed case study series Orthomolecular Treatment Response published in The Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine in 2010. Our clinic protocol continues to evolve on various levels and patient response has improved proportionately.

What is a positive responder?

A positive responder is a patient whose energy starts to lift and whose symptoms dissipate in layers. Positive responders have symptoms that can improve quickly or incrementally, it all depends how ingrained your specific biochemical profile is and how compliant you are.

Why is response faster for some, slower for others?

Some cases can take months to resolve while others weeks. If you are constipated with a significant heavy metal load, have a significant biochemical imbalance, sensitivities (to supplements, drugs, environment/food allergens) or a poor diet, we have to address these issues before heading in a more direct treatment direction.

Treatment Approach

How do you assess mental health status?

We assess mental health by getting a solid patient history and getting the patient to do a Hoffer Osmond Diagnostic (HOD) Test, a specific monitoring questionnaire for overall mental health. The HOD Test is not diagnostic but it nicely assesses mood, thinking, and sensory perception- the three primary components of behavior.

What is the advantage of ‘lab-based targeted nutritional treatment’?

Everyone has a unique biological pattern and the right lab tests can help us greatly in determining how best to ‘target’ the nutritional treatment. Appropriate lab testing provides a roadmap to follow along a meaningful and specific treatment route.

What makes our lab-based treatment approach different?

Targeted blood testing and unwashed hair mineral and hair metal analysis remain the cornerstone of our treatment. This approach encompasses over 100 fundamental metabolic trends.

What metabolic trends are the most important to assess?

The trends that are the most important include mineral imbalance, zinc-B6-manganese deficiency (pyroluria), niacin deficiency, heavy metal toxicity (copper, mercury, lead), inadequate food intake, food intolerances, poor cell function (fast/slow, mitochondrial function), sugar imbalance, iron imbalance, inflammation, & thyroid-adrenal imbalance.

What protocols do we use?

Our protocol focuses on the normalization of various lab trends and we assess results with a clinic specific optimal reference range view. We have a toolbox of new and advanced treatment options for copper 2+ toxicity, copper 1+ deficiency, zinc deficiency, heavy metal toxicity, niacin dependency and food intolerances.

Why do you focus on using core primary nutrients?

In our experience, core minerals and vitamins given at the right dose are essential and can normalize multiple layers of imbalance simultaneously and safely. Zinc for example, is a component of over 200 metabolic pathways involved in healthy brain, heart, and digestive tract function.

Conditions Treated

Do you treat both mental & general health?

Yes, we treat both. Early on, the clinic developed a robust lab-based treatment that was successful in alleviating not only severe mental illness symptoms (schizophrenia, mood, and behavior disorder) but also general health symptoms.

What range of conditions do you treat?

We treat fatigue (#1 chief complaint), mental health (depression, anxiety, bipolar, ADHD, schizophrenia, PTSD), insomnia, digestive problems, thyroid imbalances, allergies, weight problems, longevity, female/male/kid’s health issues, poor academic or work performance, concussion syndrome and more.

Treatment Safety

Are side effects possible?

If there are side effects, typically they include nausea or diarrhea which are often corrected by dosing supplements with meals or cutting back on specific supplements. Other side effects can occur transiently during treatment, for example, when zinc ‘liberates’ heavy metals and your body ready for that.

Medication Considerations

Can I come off psychiatric medication?

Coming off of some psychiatric medications risks severe discontinuation side effects and some people may or may not do well when medication doses are lowered.  If your aim is to maintain ‘lower effective doses’ of psychiatric medication, you need to work closely with your prescribing MD.

Can I take MD prescribed medications or drugs during treatment?

Some nutritional protocols are not provided when you are on certain medications or drugs.  Nutritional protocols can help keep medication side effects at bay.  Caution is upheld when the nutritional mechanism of action or elimination crosses over with that of the drug.  Your MD is responsible for prescribing your medication regimen safely.

Consulting with Us

Do you do video consults?

Yes. Post-covid, many Naturopathic Doctors adhere to various hybrid protocol formats. The hybrid format of our clinic involves video consulting with an in-person physical exam component provided as deemed necessary. In our experience, patients tend to be more engaged and relaxed during video consults.

How do I book a consult?

It’s simple.  Just call the clinic directly at 905-491-6930 or use our book appointment tool and we will contact you directly.

Who is the clinic care provider?

Dr Ray Pataracchia ND is the clinic care provider, a Naturopathic Doctor in clinical practice since 2001. He collaborated extensively with the primary founding father of Orthomolecular Medicine (Dr Abram Hoffer MD; now deceased, 2009), coauthored the book Minerals in Health & Disease, and has authored several peer reviewed journal articles.

Cost

What does treatment cost?

Consult, lab, and supplement costs are outlined in detail on our one-page Clinic Services consent form that all patients print, read and sign in advance of the first visit.  Please call the clinic at 905-491-6930 if you have specific questions on costs.

Will my health insurance cover costs?

Costs for private health care are not covered by OHIP.  However, if you have Extended Health Care coverage, a portion of consult costs may be covered.  Lab and supplement costs are typically not covered but your place of work may have a Health Spending Fund that can be used for that.

Clinic Catchment Area

Does the clinic treat patients who live outside Ontario or internationally?

Unfortunately, to be considered a client, you have to be an Ontario resident living in Ontario at the time of treatment. If you live abroad or out-of-province and are looking for a provider, here are some helpful links: Classic Orthomolecular Directory, Psychiatry Redefined, and Orthomolecular.org Practitioner Directory.

 

 

The Naturopathic Medical Research Clinic

We treat fatigue, longevity, thyroid imbalances, allergies, weight problems, poor immunity, chronic disease, pain syndromes, female and male health, digestive problems, insomnia, kid’s health, mental health and performance, post concussion syndrome, and more.
Oakville – Toronto – Niagara

The Naturopathic Medical Research Clinic

We treat fatigue, longevity, thyroid imbalances, allergies, weight problems, poor immunity, chronic disease, female and male health, digestive problems, insomnia, kid’s health, mental health, and academic and work performance.
Oakville – Toronto – Niagara

Nourished Minds - Healthy Lives

We are committed to helping you achieve optimal physical and mental health. Our approach involves specialized testing, diet and lifestyle modification, and a combination of nutritional health treatments that address individual needs. We create wellness and treat complex medical conditions.

How We Can Help You

Are you looking for health solutions to general health or complex medical issues?  If so we can help.  As your partners we help you reach your optimal health performance by providing solutions tailored to your individual needs.  Every person is unique.  It only makes sense that you receive personalized diagnostic and therapeutic care that is tailored just for you.  Read more…

What We Do

We are committed to helping you achieve optimal health by identifying and treating the unique underlying causes of disease.  Research shows a clear link between body system imbalances and physical and mental health. Balancing the chemistry of the body and the brain is an advanced approach ideal for general wellness as well as complex medical issues.  Read more…

Conditions We Treat

General health and mental health conditions we treat include fatigue and low energy, longevity and healthy aging, anxiety and depression, stress intolerance, mental performance, food allergies, thyroid imbalances, weight issues, insomnia, ADD/ADHD, PTSD, OCD, and schizophrenia.  For the full list of general health and mental health conditions we treat… Read more…

Opting for Advanced Niacin Therapy in First Episode Schizophrenia

Advanced Niacin Therapy offers hope and aims to alleviate the devastation that patients and their families experience with this condition that we call Schizophrenia.   ADVANCED  NIACIN  THERAPY Advanced Niacin Therapy is a new orthomolecular protocol tailored for...

High Protein Intake for Weight Loss & Heart Health

Did you know that high protein intake can help you lose weight and improve cardiovascular health? …  If you live in Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Milton, Burlington, Hamilton, or Niagara you might consider our advanced clinical nutrition approach for healthy aging...

Vitamin B3 – One of the Best Nutrients for Longevity

Did you know that vitamin B3 is one of the best longevity nutrients available? …  If you live in Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Milton, Burlington, Hamilton, or Niagara you might consider our advanced clinical nutrition approach for healthy aging and longevity. There...

Case Report* of Positive Treatment Response in Schizophrenia

Did you know that “Schizophrenia Ranks among the top 10 causes of disability in developed countries worldwide”? … If you hear voices or have delusional thoughts and you live in Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Milton, Burlington, Hamilton or Niagara, you should...

Nutritional Treatment for Schizophrenia

Did you know that early treatment of schizophrenia has its merits from a conventional and nutritional treatment perspective … If you hear voices or have delusional thoughts and you live in Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Milton, Burlington, Hamilton or Niagara, you...

Hashimoto’s (Autoimmune Hypothyroidism): Advanced Orthomolecular Perspectives

Did you know that Hashimoto’s (autoimmune hypothyroid) has a genetic component and commonly affects women 30-50 years old? … If you live in Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Milton, Burlington, Hamilton, or Niagara you should consider our advanced clinical nutrition...

Iodine Deficiency: A Hidden Syndrome that Affects Millions

  Are you iodine deficient?... An estimated 1.9 billion people worldwide have inadequate iodine intake.  If you live in the GTA, Toronto, Niagara, Burlington, Hamilton, or Buffalo and you would like to assess iodine and associated thyroid issues, our advanced...

First Episode Schizophrenia: Early Warning Signs & Orthomolecular Treatment

Does your son or daughter hear voices or have other signs of first episode schizophrenia? … If so and if you live in Southern Ontario, Toronto (GTA), Buffalo, Niagara, Hamilton, or Burlington, you might consider a non-drug nutritional approach.  The unique symptoms of...

Longevity (Part 1): Combating Aging Early with Longevity Nutrients

Do you want to retain your youth? … If so, it might be good to consider nutrients and foods associated with longevity.   Combating Aging Early All systems must be efficient for us to function efficiently now and as we age.  The human body has about 15 metabolic...

Longevity (Part 2): Combat Aging by Optimizing Vascular Health

  ‘You're only as old as your arteries’ … If you want to improve overall health and longevity you should consider nutritional and naturopathic approaches that optimize vascular health. All Systems Go All systems must be efficient for us to function efficiently now and...

Top Clinic Pages

If you have any questions do not hesitate to call.  Our Naturopathic Medical Team is available to answer questions on clinic services, policies, and protocols.
Contact Us Online or Book An Appointment

Here we describe a success story in a classic good responder case involving a young girl that had difficulties at school and home.
Successful Treatment - The Case of Melissa

Schizophrenia strikes hard and fast in our teen and young adult population.  80% of cases that we treat with advanced clinical nutrition experience mild to profound response.
Orthomolecular Treatment of Schizophrenia

To improve general or mental health you often need to intercede with nutrition that corrects body systems imbalances.
Top Nutrient Imbalances

The concept of healthy aging is simple — all body systems must be efficient and to do that we need to consider the wisdom of advanced clinical nutrition.
Longevity As A Nutritional Concept

This case series puts a real person perspective on the potential of advanced clinical nutrition.  Here we look at 5 cases with a timeline of the landmark improvements.
Treatment Response - 5 Cases

The suffering of patients with depression, anxiety, bipolar depression, ADD, and OCD is immense.  At our clinic we approach this matter with advanced clinical nutrition.
Treatment of Depression, Anxiety, ADD & OCD

You are only as old as your arteries.  Here we look at strengthening vascular health as a means of promoting healthy aging.
Longevity & Vascular Health

Our Main Clinic is in Oakville!

Fengate Tower
2275 Upper Middle Rd E, Suite 101
Oakville, ON
L6H 0C3

By Appointment Only

NMRC Oakville - Fengate Building - Main Clinic

2275 Upper Middle Rd E, Suite 101
Oakville ON, L6H 0C3
(905) 491-6930

Naturopathic Medical Research Clinic News…

High Protein Intake for Weight Loss & Heart Health

High Protein Intake for Weight Loss & Heart Health

Did you know that high protein intake can help you lose weight and improve cardiovascular health? …  If you live in Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Milton, Burlington, Hamilton, or Niagara you might consider our advanced clinical nutrition approach for healthy aging...

read more
Advanced Niacin Therapy for Severe Stress & PTSD

Advanced Niacin Therapy for Severe Stress & PTSD

Did you know that vitamin B3 can be considered one of the best nutrients available for mild to severe states of stress including PTSD? …  If you live in Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Milton, Burlington, Hamilton, or Niagara you might consider advanced niacin therapy...

read more
Vitamin B3 – One of the Best Nutrients for Longevity

Vitamin B3 – One of the Best Nutrients for Longevity

Did you know that vitamin B3 is one of the best longevity nutrients available? …  If you live in Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Milton, Burlington, Hamilton, or Niagara you might consider our advanced clinical nutrition approach for healthy aging and longevity. There...

read more
Nutritional Treatment for Schizophrenia

Nutritional Treatment for Schizophrenia

Did you know that early treatment of schizophrenia has its merits from a conventional and nutritional treatment perspective … If you hear voices or have delusional thoughts and you live in Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Milton, Burlington, Hamilton or Niagara, you...

read more

ADD and ADHD: An Empirical Nutrition Approach

Do you suspect your son or daughter has ADD/ADHD/hyperactivity? … If so, you should consider our Empirical Nutrition Approach.  If you live in Ontario, Toronto, GTA, Niagara, Hamilton, Burlington, or Western New York you are in our catchment area. An Empirical...

read more

Back to School: Eating Paleo to Improve Behavior

Do your kids eat a solid breakfast before leaving for school? … If not, you may consider a Paleo breakfast routine.  A Paleo breakfast is associated with better behavior functioning.  If you live in Southern Ontario, Toronto (GTA), Niagara, Hamilton, Burlington, or...

read more

Naturopathic Medical Research Clinic

We provide professional Naturopathic care that can help you.  Please contact our clinic at (905) 491-6930 to see if we are a good fit for you.

 Our Naturopathic Medical Team will be more than happy to answer any of your questions. Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Port Credit, Burlington, Halton, Hamilton, Niagara Region

Naturopathic Medical Research Clinic, 2275 Upper Middle Rd E, Oakville ON, Canada, Suite 101