Orthomolecular Nutrition Immunity – A Holistic Alternative to Vaccines Against Infections

Richard Z. Cheng, M.D., Ph.D.

Highlights

Nutritional strategies, particularly optimal orthomolecular nutrition immunity, must become a priority of public health policy to protect against infections and boost overall health.

Abstract

The media is abuzz with reports on the rising fear of viral diseases such as human metapneumovirus (HMPV), bird flu, Mpox, and COVID-19. While it is valid for the public to have concern, the sensationalized coverage risks bordering on fearmongering. This article addresses readers’ calls for a response, urging a rational approach that avoids repeating the mistakes of the COVID-19 pandemic. It critically evaluates the shortcomings of a vaccine-centric strategy, questions the motives behind the media’s call for vaccines given the limitations of COVID-19 vaccines and their associated side effects, and highlights the power of immunity provided by orthomolecular nutrition as a robust, universal defense against viral infections, including those of unknown origin. This article advocates for a balanced, evidence-based approach to public health policy that integrates immunity from nutrition with traditional strategies.

1. Introduction

The global discourse on viral diseases is currently dominated by fear-inducing reports on emerging and re-emerging infections. From HMPV and bird flu to Mpox and the lingering shadow of COVID-19, the media has often emphasized worst-case scenarios. While raising awareness is crucial, sensationalized narratives can mislead the public and propagate unnecessary panic.

This article responds to readers’ requests for clarity and guidance, aiming to provide a balanced perspective. It also raises questions about the motives behind the media’s insistence on vaccines as the primary solution, particularly in light of the limited long-term efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and the widespread reports of adverse effects from these products. Additionally, the current healthcare system’s focus on vaccines, without adequate promotion and deployment of strategies to provide immunity from nutrition, demonstrates an incomplete and imprudent approach. Labeling those who promote optimal nutrition to produce immunity and question vaccine strategies as “anti-vaxxers”—a practice that generates media censorship and ostracism—undermines productive discourse. In the current MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) era, this should no longer be tolerated.

Nutritional strategies, particularly immunity provided by optimal orthomolecular nutrition (Orthomolecular Nutrition Immunity), must become a priority of public health policy to protect against infections and boost overall health.

Orthomolecular Nutrition Immunity refers to optimizing the immune system through optimal nutrient intake, a healthy diet, and lifestyle practices that enhance overall resilience and immune function.

2. Media’s Role: Raising Awareness or Fearmongering?

2.1 The Current Media Landscape

• Reports on HMPV surges in children, bird flu’s potential for human transmission, and Mpox mutations dominate headlines.
• Comparisons to COVID-19 often amplify fear, despite key differences in transmission and severity.

2.2 Fearmongering and Its Consequences

• Excessive focus on worst-case scenarios creates public anxiety and undermines trust in health systems.
• Panic-driven behaviors, such as stockpiling vaccines or overburdening healthcare systems, can have negative unintended consequences.
• The media’s tendency to overlook alternative, integrative strategies raises the concern that emphasis on vaccines is disproportionate and unwarranted.

3. Learning from the COVID-19 Tragedy

3.1 Avoiding Past Mistakes

• Overreliance on vaccines during COVID-19 delayed the exploration of complementary preventive strategies.
• The COVID-19 vaccine rollout, marked by rushed approvals and widespread reports of adverse effects, has eroded public trust in health recommendations.
• Lockdowns, social isolation, while intended to limit viral spread, resulted in economic disruptions and caused widespread collateral damage.

3.2 A Balanced Response

• Preparedness should focus on strengthening overall immune resilience rather than reactionary measures.
• Policymakers and media must communicate risks without inciting undue fear.
• The push for vaccines as the sole solution must be balanced with evidence-based interventions that provide optimal nutrition.

4. Shortcomings of the Vaccine Strategy

4.1 Specificity and Limitations

• Vaccines are virus-specific and offer little protection against unknown pathogens.
• Fast-moving viral mutations can render existing vaccines less effective, as seen with influenza and SARS-CoV-2 variants.

4.2 Limited Global Access

• Vaccine inequity and logistical challenges leave large global populations vulnerable, especially in low-resource settings.
• Vaccine hesitancy due to misinformation further limits coverage.

4.3 Dependency and Overconfidence

• A vaccine-centric approach risks overshadowing broader preventive measures, such as interventions in lifestyle and nutrition.
• The inability of COVID-19 vaccination to prevent transmission and its short-lived efficacy highlight the need for alternative solutions.

5. The Power of Immunity from Orthomolecular Nutrition

5.1 What is Orthomolecular Immunity?

• Orthomolecular nutrition focuses on optimizing health by providing the body with the right molecules in the right amounts.
• This approach enhances immune function, making it a universal defense against infections.

5.2 Key Nutrients for Immune Health

• Vitamin C: Enhances white blood cell function, neutralizes free radicals, and supports antiviral activity.
• Vitamin D: Regulates immune responses and reduces the risk of respiratory infections.
• Zinc: Crucial for immune cell development and function.
• Magnesium and Selenium: Support enzymatic processes critical for immunity.

5.3 Optimal Immune Function and Health: An Integrative Approach

• Optimal immune function is a cornerstone of our overall health. Achieving optimal health requires all body systems, including metabolism, to operate at their best. This includes maintaining optimal and balanced levels of vitamins, micronutrients, and hormonal health, all of which play critical roles in immunity and overall wellness.
• To achieve and sustain this state, an Orthomolecular Medicine approach—involving the precise optimization of vitamins and micronutrients, integrated with hormonal balance, a nutrient-dense diet, and a healthy lifestyle—is essential. Together, these elements support resilience, enhance immune function, and foster lasting health.
• International Society for Orthomolecular medicine has an extensive list of vitamins and minerals to boost your immunity, to prevent and treat infections (1).
• Orthomolecular Medicine News Service has also published extensively on this topic (2).
• A detailed description of these principles has been extensively published by orthomolecular professionals and others on platforms such as orthomolecular.org, ISOM.ca, and other sources. The reference list below includes a selection of recent such publications (3), along with my preferred protocols for preventing (3) and treating infections (4).

5.4 Benefits Over Vaccines

• Universal Protection: Orthomolecular immunity strengthens the body’s defenses against a wide range of pathogens, including those of unknown origin.
• Adaptability: Unlike vaccines, it does not depend on the identification of specific pathogens.
• Safety: Nutrient-based interventions have a low risk of adverse effects, provided they are taken within recommended dosages.

6. Comparing Orthomolecular Immunity and Vaccines

7. Recommendations

• Public Messaging:
  • Shift from narratives that induce fear to messages that empower with proactive health measures.
• Integrative Strategies:
  • Combine vaccination efforts with orthomolecular nutrition to build comprehensive immune defenses.
• Critical Media Analysis:
  • Encourage balanced reporting on efficacy and side-effects of vaccines and nutritional strategies.
• Policy Shift:
  • Advocate for prioritizing orthomolecular nutritional immunity as a central pillar of public health policy.
• Research and Advocacy:
  • Invest in studies exploring the role of orthomolecular nutrition in preventing and managing viral diseases.
  • Promote public awareness about the benefits of immune-nourishing nutrients.

8. Discussion and Conclusion

It is winter once again, and with it come various respiratory infections, including pneumonias such as COVID-19 and human metapneumovirus (HMPV), severe influenza (H5N1 avian influenza), and monkeypox (Mpox). We continue to receive numerous inquiries from China, the United States, and other parts of the world on how to prevent and treat these persistent and potentially life-threatening viral infections.

In my personal experience, I have not had any serious infections, fevers, or major illnesses since adopting a high-dose vitamin and micronutrient regimen, combined with a low-carb ketogenic diet, intermittent fasting, and regular exercise—my personalized version of an integrative orthomolecular medicine protocol—over the past 15–20 years. This includes the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which I traveled extensively across China, the United States, Europe, and Asia (Japan, South Korea, Taiwan) and consistently tested negative for COVID-19 in over a dozen PCR tests. I have not received any vaccines. From the beginning of the pandemic, I publicly expressed skepticism about vaccines in academic journals, various news outlets, and national television interviews in multiple countries. This stance has led to being labeled an anti-vaxxer and facing censorship and bans across different media platforms. Despite this, I have remained steadfast in my commitment to health and truth. I will not make claims without thorough research, nor will I advocate for anything I do not genuinely believe in.

The rising fear of viral diseases highlights the urgent need for a rational, science-based approach that prioritizes immune resilience. Orthomolecular nutrition provides a powerful and universal strategy for protecting against infections, offering an alternative to the limitations of vaccine dependency. By incorporating evidence-based nutritional interventions into public health policies and encouraging holistic approaches, we can empower individuals to face current and future health challenges with confidence and sustainability.

The time has come to shift the focus of public health measures from reactive responses to pandemics to proactive, prevention-oriented strategies grounded in science and common sense. Actionable steps include optimizing vitamin and micronutrient levels, managing stress, maintaining a nutrient-dense diet, and adopting lifestyle practices that promote overall resilience. Such an approach will not only strengthen immune health but also pave the way for a healthier, more robust global population.

References:

1.ISOM. [cited 2025 Jan 15]. COVID-19: Introduction. https://isom.ca/covid-19/

2.OMNS. Orthomolecular News [Internet]. [cited 2025 Jan 15]. Https://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/index.shtml

3.Cheng RZ. Preventing Infections: Integrative Orthomolecular Medicine Protocol [Internet]. 2025. Available from: http://www.drwlc.com/blog/2025/01/09/preventing-viral-infections-integrative-orthomolecular-medicine-protocol/

4.Cheng RZ. Treating Infections: Integrative Orthomolecular Medicine Protocol [Internet]. 2025. Available from: http://www.drwlc.com/blog/2025/01/09/acute-infection-treatment-integrative-orthomolecular-medicine-protocol/

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