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In 1968, Linus Pauling made a statementthat would challenge more medical para-digms than practically any other he’d evermade: “Orthomolecular therapy consists inthe prevention and treatment of disease byvarying the concentrations in the humanbody of substances that are normally present.”Since then, this Journal hascontinuously publishednew research expandingour understanding of or-thomolecular medicineand verifying its effective-ness. Such work has beenpossible only because ofthe foundational contribu-tions of inquisitive and in-novative clinicians in dec-ades past. This year, as anendeavor formally tohonor the pioneers of nu-tritional therapeutics, theOrthomolecular MedicineHall of Fame was inaugu-rated on May 1, during amemorable and upliftingbanquet at the 33rd Annual International Nu-tritional Medicine Today Conference in Van-couver, Canada. The Shute brothers were

among the 2004 inductees; the acknowledge-ment speech by Vere Shute, son of Evan Shute,was one of the evening’s highlights. We arevery pleased to present in brief this year’sinductees. For additional material on the Hallof Fame please visit www.orthomed.org

Inductees for 2004

Linus Pauling, Ph.D. 1901-1994After bringing high-dose vitamin C

therapy for colds and flu to the public (andmuch of the medical profession) in 1970,Linus Pauling then had to defend the vita-

min from under-informedcritics. Dr. Pauling’s interpre-tive reviews of the medicalliterature on vitamin C havehad so great an impact thatit may be quite some timeyet before it is fully appreci-ated. Typically, Paulingreexamined studies thatoriginally concluded that vi-tamin therapy was of nobenefit and then showedthat the authors either failedto see the statistical sig-nificance of their ownwork, or made outright in-correct conclusions.Pauling was therefore re-garded as an “outsider”

and a sharp critic of medical politics anddogma. He risked his considerable repu-tation to define and promote orthomo-lecular medicine,spending much of thelast third of his life tobring this healthknowledge directly tothe people. For sucha great and humani-tarian accomplish-ment, he may wellhave deserved a thirdNobel Prize.

William J. McCormick, M.D. 1880–1968Toronto physician William J. McCormick

(not pictured) pioneered the idea that poorcollagen formation due to vitamin C defi-ciency was a principal cause of conditions

Inauguration of the Orthomolecular Medicine Hall of Fame

Andrew Saul (MC for evening) and Vere Shute Linus Pauling

The 30 cm crystal polygon is etchedwith a niacin molecule and ISOM logo

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ranging from stretch marks to cardiovascu-lar disease and cancer. This theory wouldbecome the foundation for Linus Pauling’sand Ewan Cameron’s decision to employlarge doses of vitamin C to fight cancer. Dr.McCormick also proposed vitamin C defi-ciency as the essential cause of, and effec-tive cure for, numerous communicable ill-nesses, becoming an early advocate of us-ing vitamin C as an antiviral and antibioticagent. Modern writers often pass by thefact that McCormick advocated vitamin Cto prevent and cure the formation of kid-ney stones as far back as 1946. His earlyuse of gram-sized doses to combat whatwere then and still are usually regarded asnon-deficiency related illnesses set thestage for today’s intravenous use of 100,000mg/day antiviral/anticancer vitamin C.

Roger J. Williams, Ph.D. 1893–1988Roger Williams authored nearly 300

scientific papers in the years spanning1919 to 1986. He was the originator ofkey orthomolecular concepts includingbiochemical individuality and geneto-trophics, and was a pioneer in the nutri-tional treatment of alcohol abuse. Hediscovered pantothenic acid and gave folicacid its name. Donald Davis, Ph.D., writes:“As probably no other scientist has, he ledthe way toward a broad view of nutritionand its importance in health and preven-tive medicine, including the prevention of

alcoholism. Almost singlehandedly he rec-ognized and called attention to the biologi-cal facts of human diversity and their broadimportance in science and human affairs.”(Davis DR. In Memoriam: Roger JohnWilliams. Journal of Applied Nutrition, 1988;40(2): 121-125.)

Evan Shute, M.D. 1905–1978Wilfrid Shute, M.D. 1907–1982

Evan V. Shute and his brother WilfridE. Shute, began vitamin E research in thelate 1930s. Over the next several decadesthey would use high doses of vitamin E totreat successfully cardiovascular disease intens of thousands of patients. By 1936, theShutes were already at work employing to-copherol from wheat germ oil to relieveangina symptoms; by 1940, the Shutes werecuring atherosclerosis with vitamin E. By1946, thrombosis, phlebitis, and claudica-tion were added to the list. Yet when theMinimum Daily Requirements first cameout in 1941, there was no mention of vita-min E. Furthermore, the Shutes’ work wasliterally judged fraudulent by the UnitedStates Post Office Department which, in a1961 court decision, said, “Vitamin E hasbeen thoroughly studied and there is nodoubt whatsoever as to its lack of utility.”Today’s growing appreciation of the role ofd-alpha tocopherol in preventing and re-versing cardiovascular disease is primarilydue to the Shute brothers.

Roger Williams Evan Shute and Wilfrid Shute Irwin Stone

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Irwin Stone, Ph.D. 1907–1984 Irwin Stone, the biochemist who first

introduced Dr. Pauling to vitamin C, is theauthor of The Healing Factor: Vitamin CAgainst Disease. By 1966, Stone had iden-tified the significance of mankind’s inabil-ity to synthesize ascorbate, and the result-ant population-wide deficiency that hetermed hypoascorbemia. Humans and arelatively few animal species are able tomanufacture only three of the four en-zymes necessary for endogenous produc-tion of ascorbate. Linus Pauling consideredthis to be of paramount importance andcited Stone thirteen times in his landmarkbook How to Live Longer and Feel Better, arecommendation if there ever was one.

Carl C. Pfeiffer, M.D., Ph.D. 1908–1988 Carl Pfeiffer identified specific types of

schizophrenia: a high histamine group, alow histamine group, those excretingkrytopyrrole, and those with cerebral aller-gies. He treated patients with a low protein,high complex carbohydrate diet and supple-mental nutrients, particularly vitamin B6

and zinc, finding such therapy to be effec-tive against psychosis, hypoglycemia, andobsessive-compulsive and bipolar disorders.Dr. Pfeiffer was a pioneer in recognizing theproblems with excess dietary copper andwas interested in the relationship of nutri-ent-deficient diet to crime and delinquency.His books include Nutrition and Mental Ill-

ness; Mental and Elemental Nutrients; TheHealing Nutrients Within; Dr. Pfeiffer’s To-tal Nutrition, Nutritional Science and Cook-ery, and Neurobiology of the Trace MetalsZinc and Copper.

Alan Cott, M.D. 1910–1993Paperback bestsellers can change

lives. For many people, their introductionto therapeutic fasting came by way of AlanCott’s Fasting: the Ultimate Diet, and Fast-ing as a Way of Life. In addition, he wroteDr. Cott’s Help for Your Learning DisabledChild: The Orthomolecular Treatment andwas a frequent contributor to the Journalof Orthomolecular Psychiatry. Dr. Cott’spapers on Controlled Fasting Treatmentfor Schizophrenia and the Orthomolecu-lar Approach to the Treatment of Learn-ing Disabilities were presented at the Nu-trition and Mental Health Hearing beforethe Select Senate Committee on Nutritionand Human Needs in 1977.

William Kaufman, M.D., Ph.D. 1910–2000William Kaufman was among the very

first physicians to employ therapeuticallymegadoses of vitamin B3 (niacin, or niaci-namide). He prescribed as much as 5,000mg of niacinamide daily, in many divideddoses, to improve dramatically and restorerange of joint motion in arthritic patients.His groundbreaking work remains impor-tant to this day. In his 1949 book, The Com-

Carl C Pfeiffer Alan Cott William Kaufman Humphry Osmond

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mon Form of Joint Dysfunction, Kaufmanpublished the details of his niacinamidearthritis treatment, which also incorpo-rated the use of vitamin C, thiamin, andriboflavin, all in large doses. Over fifty yearsago, Kaufman showed remarkable foresightinto the future of orthomolecular medi-cine, describing how the lack of just a sin-gle nutrient can cause diverse diseases.

Humphry Osmond, M.D. 1917–2004Humphry Osmond’s remarkable

medical career included decades of dis-tinguished psychiatric practice and aprodigious output of writing and re-search. He is widely recognized as a pio-

neer investigator into the chemistry of con-sciousness. Along with John Smythies,Osmond developed the theory thatschizophrenics suffer due to endogenousproduction of an adrenalin-based hallu-cinogen. This led to the Hoffer-OsmondAdrenochrome Hypothesis in the early1950s, the very origin of orthomolecularmedicine. The popular press today mayremember Humphry Osmond for coiningthe term “psychedelic,” but countlessthousands of grateful patients will re-member him as the co-discoverer of ni-acin therapy for schizophrenia.

–Andrew W. Saul Contributing Editor

Harold D. Foster, Ph.D., has taught at the University of Victoria since1967. A tenured professor, he has authored or edited some 235 publi-

cations in eight languages, including over 50 books. The majority ofhis publications focus on mitigating disaster losses or reducing the

suffering associated with various diseases. He has suggested waysof either preventing or curing numerous diseases including myo-

cardial infarction, SIDS, cancer, diabetes, multiple sclerosis,ALS, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and AIDS. His

latest book is entitled What Really Causes Schizophrenia.

2004 Orthomolecular Doctor of the Year

Harold D. Foster, “Pioneering Geographer of theOrthomolecular Landscape,” was presented withthe Orthomolecular Doctor of the Year Award by2003 recipient Bradford Weeks, M.D. at the 33rdAnnual International Nutritional Medicine TodayConference on May 2, 2004 in Vancouver.

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Highlights from theNutritional Medicine Today

33rd Annual International Conference

Conference Speakers (left to right): Harold Foster, Margot Kidder, Andrew Saul, Kent MacLeod,Gayle Orner, Alex Schauss, Barbara Reed Stitt, Paul Stitt, Brad Weeks, Phyllis Bronson, Abram Hoffer,Gert Schuitemaker, Hugh Riordan, Woody McGinnis, Bernard Gesch, Garry Vickar.

Richard Kunin, Orthomolecular Health Medicine Society President, (San Francisco) and Steven Carter,NMT Conference Director, admire the Orthomolecular Medicine Hall of Fame Crystal.

photos by Greg Schilhab