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About the LPI

The Linus Pauling Institute was established at Oregon State University in August 1996 under an agreement reached between OSU and LPI's antecedent organization, the Linus Pauling Institute of Science and Medicine (located in California from 1973 to 1996). The Institute functions from the basic premise that an optimum diet is the key to optimum health.

NIH/NCCAM
Center of Excellence

The Linus Pauling Institute is one of the nation's first two Centers of Excellence for Research on Complementary and Alternative Medicine designated by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Major areas of research encompass cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, cancer, aging, immune function, and neurodegenerative diseases. Specific laboratories address:

  • Oxidative stress, lipoic acid, and essential metals in atherosclerosis
  • Vitamin E metabolism and biological functions
  • Oxidative and environmental stress in Lou Gehrig's, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's disease
  • Stress response, lipoic acid, and mitochondrial dysfunction in aging
  • Cancer chemoprotection by phytochemicals in tea and vegetables
  • Transplacental cancer chemoprotection
  • Epigenetic and epigenomic mechanisms of cancer etiology
  • Zinc and antioxidants in prostate cancer and neurodegeneration
  • Novel biological functions of vitamin C
  • Antioxidants and gene expression in diabetes
  • Dietary fats and carbohydrate and lipid metabolism
  • Vitamin D and zinc in immune function

The LPI operates as one of Oregon State University's research centers and institutes. The program is principally supported by gifts from individuals, private corporations and foundations; grants from federal and private agencies; and Oregon State University.

More information about micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) and phytochemicals (chemicals from plants), many of which are available as dietary supplements, can be found in the Linus Pauling Institute’s Micronutrient Information Center and Research Newsletter.