Oligotherapy uses oligo-elements that are bioavailable forms of trace minerals that are rapidly absorbed sublingually for therapeutic support, supplementing the necessary minerals for enzymatic functions. These bio-available elements work by normalizing enzyme and hormonal functions in order to regulate the homeostasis of the body.

Oligos in Greek means “a very tiny quantity”. Oligo-elements, or trace elements, are very minute doses of minerals. Most minerals come from metals, except for calcium, fluoride, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, and sulfur which are metalloids (non-metallic).

Oligotherapy is a method of providing the body with the ions it cannot synthesize and which are indispensable for cellular enzymatic functions. This functional therapeutic modality requires the use of trace elements in precisely measured, small doses in a highly bioavailable form. These trace elements are co-factors in a multitude of biochemical reactions where they accelerate the speed of these reactions without ever modifying the important equilibrium that exists and that must reign within the body to maintain optimum health.

Gabriel Bertrand, a French chemist, and biologist, first identified these enzymatic cofactors approximately 100 years ago and named them “oligo” elements. Later, French physician Dr. Jacques Menetrier demonstrated that oligo-elements could be used in the treatment of biochemical dysfunctions. Oligotherapy is widely recognized throughout Europe as a powerful modality for treating a multitude of diseases, some of which include bacterial infections, cardiovascular disease, respiratory infections, circulatory disorders, and neurological conditions.

Benefits of Oligotherapy

Clinical experience has shown that oligotherapy may be used to improve wellbeing and that the benefits include:

Serve as biological catalysts that activate metabolism and enzymatic function at the cellular level
Provides essential nutrition to stop the free radical activity which destroys bodily tissue
Enhances the movement of ions into and out of the cells
Removes heavy metals and reduces toxicity in connective tissue
Normalizes enzyme and hormonal functions in order to regulate homeostasis of the body
Supports coagulation of the blood, rhythmic functions of the heart and intestines, e.g. calcium
Regulates the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, e.g. cobalt
Controls membrane permeability, muscular contraction, nerve impulse condition and regulation of protein synthesis, e.g. magnesium

Here’s How it Works

Almost all biological reactions require enzymes (biological catalysts) in order to occur at the rates the body needs for health and survival. Many enzymes depend on specific mineral cofactors for proper functioning. These minerals need to be present in extremely low concentrations, but they are absolutely vital to bio-regulation. These bioavailable forms of trace minerals are rapidly absorbed and work by normalizing enzyme and hormonal functions in order to regulate homeostasis in the body.

Supplying these needed mineral cofactors at precise concentration unblocks diseased metabolic pathways, thus allowing the body’s healing mechanism to operate. Oligo-elements may also prepare the patient to respond more readily and successfully to other modalities.

The ionized trace elements used within oligotherapy include bismuth, cobalt, fluoride, copper chromium, iodine, lithium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sulfur, and zinc (as well as various combinations). These supplements are low concentrations of specially prepared elements that are vital to the regulation of various enzymatic functions. These “oligo-elements” (trace minerals) when administered work at the cellular level to supply needed mineral co-factors at precise concentrations to unblock diseased metabolic pathways, thus allowing the body’s healing mechanisms to operate.

Keeping the correct balance of trace elements throughout an organism is essential for enzymatic function, and a deficiency in any element may lead to a functional disorder. Oligo-elements can be found in food, but also in pills and powdered drinkable solutions. It is recommended to take them 15 minutes before eating and to ensure that a 15-20 minute break is taken between doses.

Oligotherapy is a simple, non invasive way to provide the patient with vital trace elements that are necessary for cellular function.”
CAITLIN POLICASTRO, NP

Science and Safety

Trace elements such as iron, iodine, fluoride, copper, zinc, chromium, selenium, manganese and molybdenum are vital for maintaining health and often prescribed in the specialized form allowed through oligotherapy to patients in various states of disease. This is most true in integrative medical centers found in Europe, where a biological approach is found most effective and with fewest side-effects.

Iron, an important trace element, is also part of many enzymes and is essential for growth, healing, immune function and synthesis of DNA. Smaller clinical studies have shown that supplying iron intravenously can be beneficial to patients with heart failure in the short term, making them feel better and increasing exercise capacity.
source: British Heart Foundation

Manganese, another micromineral, is necessary for the formation of enzymes. It also works as an antioxidant. Women with osteoporosis have been found to have decreased plasma or serum levels of manganese and also an enhanced plasma response to an oral dose of manganese (19, 20), suggesting they may have lower manganese status than women without osteoporosis.
source: ‘Models to study manganese deficiency’, Klimis-Tavantzis DL, 1994

Oligotherapy is very safe and has been clinically used for many years with very few side-effects.

NYCIM + Oligotherapy

At the New York Center of Innovative Medicine, oligotherapy is one of many different treatment options considered for each patient. Our center has a fully stocked dispensary with numerous different mineral supplements and preparations, each specifically tested and brought in from high-quality manufacturers from around the world. However, the use of any oligotherapy supplement is only provided to patients after an in-depth initial evaluation reveals it would be necessary for your personalized program of treatment. Because each person is unique, and their health needs are different, there is no set protocol for using oligotherapy nor is the patient able to request the use of specific herbs and preparations if the medical team finds it would not be as helpful as another treatment or a specific combination of therapies. The ultimate goal is the complete restoration of health in the most efficient and safe manner, and with so many therapeutic options, it is impossible to know if any oligotherapy supplement is right for you without an initial evaluation at our clinic.