Practice Closure & Professional Transition Notice
Effective October 1, 2026, the clinical practice of the Naturopathic Medical Research Clinic is permanently closed.
Dr. Ray Pataracchia, ND (Inactive), has officially retired from clinical practice and is no longer accepting patients, providing treatment plans, or offering direct clinical care. For administrative inquiries, please contact info@nmrc.ca.
This website archive is for informational purposes only. Please do not use this website to self-diagnose or self-prescribe. If you are searching for a medical provider in your area, please see the website links provided in the FAQ section.
Foundations for Treatment Success
Two-time Nobel Laureate Linus Pauling defined Orthomolecular practice as “the preservation of health and the treatment of disease by varying the concentration of substances that are normally present in the body and are required for health.” Because this approach centers on biochemical individuality, the required daily health adjustments can be demanding. Highly customized protocols generally involve precise supplement timing, targeted nutrition, and careful tracking. Ultimately, successful outcomes within this framework rely on a strong therapeutic alliance—one rooted in mutual respect, clear communication, and dedicated patient compliance with their chosen healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Response
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 depending on how ingrained the biochemical profile is and how compliant they are.
Responses vary depending on biochemical severity and compliance.
Please see the peer reviewed case study series Orthomolecular Treatment Response published in The Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine in 2010. Advanced functional medicine continues to evolve in its ability to address advanced health conditions.
Orthomolecular Treatment Approaches
Everyone has a unique biological pattern and the right lab tests can help determining how best to ‘target’ the nutritional treatment. Targeted blood testing and unwashed hair mineral-metal analysis are for example helpful in determining a meaningful treatment approach (as they factor in well over 100 fundamental metabolic trends).
Primary orthomolecular protocols focus on the normalization of pivotal lab trends with the goal of optimal reference range balancing. A toolbox of primary treatment options should include the balancing of copper 2+ toxicity, copper 1+ deficiency, zinc deficiency, heavy metal overload (copper, mercury, lead, …), niacin dependency/deficiency, and food intolerance. Other metabolic trends that are the important to address and can be considered primary (varies per case) include overall mineral imbalance, zinc-B6-manganese deficiency (pyroluria), inadequate food intake, cell function imbalance (fast/slow oxidation, mitochondrial compromise, …), sugar imbalance, iron imbalance, inflammation, and thyroid-adrenal imbalance.
To normalize multiple layers of imbalance simultaneously and safely, core primary minerals/vitamins that are given at the right dose are essential to biochemical balancing. Correcting zinc imbalance for example, will help to support the 200+ metabolic pathways that zinc is involved in (brain, heart and digestive health, etcetera).
Health Conditions Amenable to Orthomolecular Treatment
Conditions and health concerns that are often amenable to orthomolecular treatment include: fatigue (the top chief complaint in clinical practice), mental health (depression, anxiety, bipolar, ADHD, schizophrenia, PTSD), insomnia, digestive disorders/symptoms, thyroid imbalances, allergies, weight problems, aging, circulatory conditions, female/male health conditions, poor academic/work performance, concussion syndrome, and more.
Orthomolecular Provider Links
Here are some links to help you find an Orthomolecular medical provider local to you: Classic Orthomolecular Directory, Psychiatry Redefined, and Orthomolecular.org Practitioner Directory.
Nourished Minds - Healthy Lives
Specialized testing, diet, lifestyle modification and health treatments that focus on your individual needs can support both your body and your mind.
Top Clinic Pages
Schizophrenia strikes hard and fast in our teen and young adult population. Based on 25 years of clinic outcomes, 80% of cases treated with advanced clinical nutrition experience mild to profound response.
Diet and supplementary nutrition that corrects body systems imbalances can improve general or mental health. Here are some of the top nutrient imbalances.
This peer-reviewed case series puts a real person perspective on the potential of advanced clinical nutrition. Here we look at 5 cases with a timeline of landmark improvements.
The suffering of patients with depression, anxiety, bipolar depression, ADD and OCD is immense. This article looks at the role of advanced clinical nutrition in their treatment.
You are only as old as your arteries. Here we look at how strengthening your vascular integrity and overall vascular health is a key factor in healthy aging.
Naturopathic Medical Research Clinic Articles…
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...
Pyroluria in the General Population
Is there a vitamin B6-zinc deficiency issue that afftects the general population? ... Yes, this dieficiency condition (pyroluria) is associated with a vast array of symptoms. If you live in Toronto, the GTA, Niagara, Hamilton, Burlington, or Buffalo, you might...
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...
Low Cholesterol & Your Mental Health
Does low cholesterol intake affect your mental health? … You might be surprised that low cholesterol levels are not that uncommon. Here we discuss the ramifications of low cholesterol on mental health. Low Cholesterol & Your Mental Health Cholesterol Having...
Why am I so Tired? (Part 1): Energy Nutrient Deficiencies & Food Intolerances
Do you have enough energy to get you through the day? … If not, the cause may be a nutrient deficiency, food intolerance, or another factor not considered. In todays’ fast paced society it is not uncommon to see people that are exhausted. This affects both...
Why Am I So Tired? (Part 2): Low Thyroid & Heavy Metals
Do you feel sluggish? … The cause may be low thyroid metabolism, heavy metals or some health factor not considered. The Fatigue Series Fatigue strikes a good portion of society. We have divided ‘Why am I so Tired?’ blogs into three subtopics: i) energy nutrients and...
Why Am I So Tired? (Part 3): Adrenal Exhaustion & Protein Breakdown
Do you feel sluggish all the time? … The cause may be adrenal exhaustion, protein breakdown, or some health factor not considered. The Fatigue Series We divided ‘Why am I so Tired?’ blogs into three subtopics: i) energy nutrients and food intolerances, ii) sluggish...
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...